Need to start one and wanted to see what y’all are using or have made. Prefer to keep hard copy and not just a spreadsheet on my computer.
I have done a log book, spread sheet in computer, index cards and probably a couple other things I don't remember. The BEST thing that has worked FOR ME is to put a sticker on the box, with the load info and when I get my final, best, preferred load; I mark my reloading manual with the load.
I guess both
Binder, make a copy of your spread sheets and put them in your binder, cheap and easy! Plus when a page becomes obsolete you just pop it out and file 13 it.
And if your like me you can just throw in the handwritten notes in the page savers as well.
And if your like me you can just throw in the handwritten notes in the page savers as well.
I made a reloading log book in excel. It shows the date, caliber, bullet maker and weight, bullet profile ( FMJ,hp,RN etc) powder brand and charge and a column for notes about issues experienced at the bench (crimp adjustments, seating depth changes etc) I also will note range results like accuracy, fps or other data points. When a sheet gets full I put it in a 3 ring binder. I have these back about ten years.
I will add a small label to the container that shows date loaded bullet weight powder charge and seating depth.
I will add a small label to the container that shows date loaded bullet weight powder charge and seating depth.
I used a spiral notebook leftover from when my children were in school.
I had base to tip measurements and bearing surface measurements of the bullets i was using and of course the BC, weight and make.
Lot numbers of the bullets , powders and what primers.
How I prepped the cases was in there.
Case measurements base toi middle of the shoulder (Ogive) the Case neck ID and OD and OD after loading.
That od after loading was for cast bullets as some soft bullets got pinched down when I ran them into the case.
So much for making your cast .001" over groove diameter
You can pile on a lot of information in those spiral notebooks.
I put in how far off the lands each bullet was also.
Just off not touching and what it was jammed.
Yep then you have the charge and OAL etc but you knew that was to be in there.
Once I found the load each rifle loved I kept that on a card.
If I ran out of that lot number or the bullet had changed or was discontinued I start all over and I had the bad loads in the book that did not work or were way too slow.
No need to make a .308 shoot like a 30-30 ya know.
I had base to tip measurements and bearing surface measurements of the bullets i was using and of course the BC, weight and make.
Lot numbers of the bullets , powders and what primers.
How I prepped the cases was in there.
Case measurements base toi middle of the shoulder (Ogive) the Case neck ID and OD and OD after loading.
That od after loading was for cast bullets as some soft bullets got pinched down when I ran them into the case.
So much for making your cast .001" over groove diameter
You can pile on a lot of information in those spiral notebooks.
I put in how far off the lands each bullet was also.
Just off not touching and what it was jammed.
Yep then you have the charge and OAL etc but you knew that was to be in there.
Once I found the load each rifle loved I kept that on a card.
If I ran out of that lot number or the bullet had changed or was discontinued I start all over and I had the bad loads in the book that did not work or were way too slow.
No need to make a .308 shoot like a 30-30 ya know.
Same here. I keep a spiral notebook in my reloading bench with every load I test. As I go to the field, I transfer that particular load onto a 3X5 notecard with room to note grouping size, velocity, wind direction, temperature, etc. and stick it in the ammo box with the rounds I am testing. That way, when I am done, I can sit down at my bench and organize my data.I used a spiral notebook leftover from when my children were in school.
I had base to tip measurements and bearing surface measurements of the bullets i was using and of course the BC, weight and make.
Lot numbers of the bullets , powders and what primers.
How I prepped the cases was in there.
Case measurements base toi middle of the shoulder (Ogive) the Case neck ID and OD and OD after loading.
That od after loading was for cast bullets as some soft bullets got pinched down when I ran them into the case.
So much for making your cast .001" over groove diameter
You can pile on a lot of information in those spiral notebooks.
I put in how far off the lands each bullet was also.
Just off not touching and what it was jammed.
Yep then you have the charge and OAL etc but you knew that was to be in there.
Once I found the load each rifle loved I kept that on a card.
If I ran out of that lot number or the bullet had changed or was discontinued I start all over and I had the bad loads in the book that did not work or were way too slow.
No need to make a .308 shoot like a 30-30 ya know.
Spiral notebook for me written in pencil so I can edit manually.
Inside the mfgs. box of bullets is pretty much always a load data label and after determining my pet load I fill it out and it goes in my die box for future reference.........if I've worked up a load using a different powder, bullet or primer for that caliber I fill out another label and it also goes in the die box also (I don't pull the backing off the adhesive labels and stick them inside the die box I just lay them inside.)
Also in the die box is a dummy round for each bullet with the bullet type and mfg. part number for that bullet written in magic marker on each case. Also in the die box is a piece of paper that tells me what the seating die is currently set for based on what I loaded last, which comes in handy when using different bullets for the same caliber........then in each box of loaded ammo I put a card that shows the data for that box of ammo.
For each caliber that I've worked up a load for I write down the loads I've tried for the same bullet, powder and primer........I normally work up five rounds of five different powder weights and will note which load was the best when returning from the range and that info also goes on a small card and is put inside the die box.
I can open a die box and everything I need to know about that caliber is on two to four little cards........there's probably better or different ways to keep track of load data but my system has been working fine for me since I started loading back in the 80's.
Also in the die box is a dummy round for each bullet with the bullet type and mfg. part number for that bullet written in magic marker on each case. Also in the die box is a piece of paper that tells me what the seating die is currently set for based on what I loaded last, which comes in handy when using different bullets for the same caliber........then in each box of loaded ammo I put a card that shows the data for that box of ammo.
For each caliber that I've worked up a load for I write down the loads I've tried for the same bullet, powder and primer........I normally work up five rounds of five different powder weights and will note which load was the best when returning from the range and that info also goes on a small card and is put inside the die box.
I can open a die box and everything I need to know about that caliber is on two to four little cards........there's probably better or different ways to keep track of load data but my system has been working fine for me since I started loading back in the 80's.
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