Reloading logbook...

[AlanF]

It is time for me to begin a new reloading logbook and I would like to hear from you guys about the info you track in your logbooks and the way you set up your pages, data you track, etc.  An example or two would be great.  My previous logbook was ok but not the best so I am looking for some ideas.  Thanks.

Alan

[Graybeard]

I've tried lots of different methods over the years but have now settled for use of a spiral bound notebook format to keep the data in. I set it up to look like this:

Case: Here I list the case brand or headstamp and caliber.

Bullet: Here I list brand, bullet weight and style and perhaps the makers product ID number.

Powder: Here I list brand, powder name and weight of charge.

Primer: Here I list brand and type ie., magnum or standard and any number associated with it.

COL: This is the overall loaded length of the cartridge so in the future I can seat to same depth.

I've experimented with lot numbers and even number of times cases have been loaded but gave up as I'm just not organized enough to effectively use that data later and decided it was just more trouble to me than it was worth.

I list info to the right of that as to quantity loaded and when I first shoot for groups I'll list the results in the space to the right in the book that is left over. I also keep a separate "shooting log" tho and it details all the results of every group fired on paper and what the load and gun were that was used to fire them. I've messed around with keeping targets as well and still have some but found that I really don't have the space to keep them all and pretty much never went back to look at them anyway. The shooting log book has all the info I really need in a much more compact form.

[Hairtrigger]

I keep a folder for each caliber. I used an Excel spreadsheet to make pages that I can fill in the information.  I have also columns that I put a checkmark when I trim the case or what the length is. I do keep track of how many times a case has been fired. I  put mostly the previously mentioned information and include lot numbers of powder and primers. The back of the page is not printed and I put hand written notes there. 

[stimpylu32]

I use the same basic system that GB uses , but went one step more , i have a 3 hole punch and use a 8 1/2 x 11 target for my load work ups , that way i can add the target to the load data for later .

stimpy

[mattinPA]

hello Alan
On most of my guns I just right in in the loading book but for my target rifle I use a logbook that is just for that rifle. I use a 3 ring binder with the clear plastic sleeves that will fit inside the binder. I use 81/2x11 paper that will fit in the sleeves. I print off my log book from here my targets.com  and wright the info on that and then I put in in a sleeve  I then put the target I shot in another sleeve so that when I open my binder I will have my load data on the right and the target on the left. I also have a note book that I stick inside the binder that has all the info on it that the logbook that I copy ed but also has how many rounds I shoot out of the rifle to date how many times I cleaned the rifle what did I clean it with   How did it shoot  good bad what was the group size .,

there is more I put in my log book but that will give you a good idea.

matt

[Graybeard]

stimpylu32 I used to do that too but ran out of space to put them all. I've punched holes in a LOT of paper and the storage space for it alone got out of hand. Besides any paper I've not looked at in ten years I figure can't be that important to me.

[Questor]

I keep my load data pretty terse. Just the load info, the source, the gun it's intended for, chronograph readings, and any notes on performance. I also use a naming scheme like 44mag-1 and 44mag-2 to indicate different loads. If accuracy is important and is good for a load, then I'll include just a small part of a test target to prove that I shot well with it. Bad loads just get discarded. Sometimes I go in and clean up the information by removing unused data.

The log is in four parts:
1) A log of what I loaded and when I loaded it.
2) A log for special projects, detailing the process of elimination that takes me to a good load.
3) A list of the loads I developed
4) Maintenance manuals and schematics for my loading equipment.

[DWTim]

I still make my own. Currently on the second revision. I did it in "OpenOffice Draw", and I print out pages when I need them. I also keep a brass log and I count reloads. In addition, I plug the data and notes into a spreadsheet for easier searching when I need to find "that load" later on.

[huntswithdogs]

MTM offered a load book here a while back. It was a 3 ring binder with sheets already laid out . It has pages for centerfire and shotgun loads, firearms inventory sheets and a bunch of different targets.

MTMcase-gard.com  ( item# HL-95)

I've been using one for about 4 years and it beats the school style,wire notebook that I started with.

HWD

[davem270win]

I use a three ring binder with a tab section for each gun/caliber. I number the information using caliber/letter, so my first 22 caliber rifle is 22A, the second is 22b, and so on. I then mark the case lots for that gun as 22A1, 22A2, etc. In each section, I have a page where I list the basic info for the gun, serial number, type of sights or scope, shell holder numbers, trim length, where I bought it.
I  have a "pet loads" page, where I record the 'best' loads. I have a page for each lot of cases, where I track how many time they've been fired, with a list of all the reloading operations I do so I can check them off as I complete steps, ending with a 'ready to reload' date. Finally, I have a shooting log similar to the MTM ones, listing number of rounds, distance, group size, and loading info. Each line is numbered, so I can refer back to 'pet loads'. Each type of page is color coded, and then numbered using the 22A1, 22A2 format. So, an entry in the logbook on line 12 would be 22A1-12.
I don't save a whole lot of targets, and the binder is a 3" and still has plenty of room.
When I'm ready to load, I can go to the binder, look up my cases, see what's ready to go, reference the right shellholder, and start reloading. Despite how it sounds, it isn't that hard. And no, I can't tell you it was the third shot of a five shot string that was the flyer in a group I shot back in 1998, but I know enough.