How to organize your reloading data?

Originally Posted By: claimbusterI'm old fashioned and keep all my load data in a spiral notebook, including load comments, etc. I keep everything chronologically.

I know I can and should be doing something that is more sophisticated; however, I still have my spiral notebooks from the '60's.
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I don't think your old fashioned. I never heard of a sprial notebook crashing.
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PointBlank v2.0 you can get it for free as well... almost forgot... it stores target's with shot placement and FPS as well and will calculate tightest group for you.
 
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I use an Excel spreadsheet. I set up a tab for each rifle. I set up columns with headers for bullet, case, powder & charge, primer, seating depth, date loaded, date fired, group measurement, velocity, standard deviation, and remarks. Excel is a great way to record your data and allows you to sort and analyze with ease.
 
I use a 3 ring binder with paper protectors to slide targets into. All load data/chrony numbers/dope sheet for each rifle seperated by dividers. I don't rely on computers after having 1 take a dump, so I try to keep a hard copy of everything.
 
I use index cards. Once I get a gun sighted in and working on load development I place a birchwood dot on the index card and shoot a group. I write the load data right on the card and then place it in the card holder. It has a place for each round to be seperate and each gun. I eaven have a card that list every powder, primer and bullet that I tried for a gun that I tried and the starting charge to ending charge with the load that showed the best promise if I want to go back and play with setting depth.
 
I use load development targets from Sinclair and keep them in a three ring binder. Keep all loading info in Sinclair spiral load development notebook. Each gun ( barrel ) has both.
 
I put all my load data(all loads fired) in one note book.(spiral) Then once I find a load for that gun I put the final load data and a target in another notebook that holds the final loads for each gun...Jason
 
I keep my load data in note books. When I pick the best load. I take a loaded cartridge and write all of the information on the brass case with a sharpie. Then save the cartridge in the matching die box.

I lost all of my load data in note books one time due to a water pipe breaking.
 
Lyman makes a great data log, the pages come 3 hole punched. I put these into ring binders that have sleeves on the inside of the covers to hold targets. I have sep. Ring binders for each rifle or pistol.
 
Originally Posted By: Smokin BarrelI too utilize Excel for load/target/result/condition type data. All of my targets are photographed and pics are stored in the appropriate "firearm" folder. I also scan all field notes to a .pdf file and save in the "firearm" file as well.

....then of course it is backed up on the external hard drive
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I use a similar method, but my load notes are stored with the targets in the binder.
The photos are nice to look at when I am bored at work and the photos in the binder make it easy to find the load you want to use.
 
I use an MTM Handloader's Log book for my data. Then all my targets get scanned and copied to 8.5x11 paper and put in 3 ring binders. Just started playing with the Skunkwerks app on my iphone as well. But I'll never stop using my Handloaders Log!!
 
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Originally Posted By: jschroedI'd like to hear how you guys are organizing your reloading data you have collected. I have all the targets I have shot with all the information written on them (rifle, bullet, powder load, case, primer, velocity, conditions, ect.) and of course the group that was shot. Now I just need some ideas on how to catalog it.



I try to keep all my notes to my rifles in note books as per caliber, some of my rifles my hunting ones i try to record every
shot the rifle takes and where it hits and notes of info i learned that day, remember i try to do this, sometimes i fail,
but i still have some good notes i can look back on if i need to, a cheap filing cabinet bought at the goodwill makes a great
place to store all my shooting info....you'd be suprised of what you can learn if you try to keep things randomly in order.
i don't store targets but do record group size and conditions, oh i might keep a target with a .300 group for a few weeks
to show some buddys, but these become clutter and get tossed sooner or later....if i keep all the info in notebooks it's
more likely for me not to let it get cluttered....
 


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