Record keeping

B

Bluebird

Member
I consider myself a fairly advanced reloader, been loading for 38 years. I load for several oddball rounds and a few wildcats. But, I haven't loaded much in the last couple of years. Now getting back on it, I am going back through my notes going back about 20 years. At the time I thought I had decent records, looking at it now shows that my notes are only marginally useful. Mostly lack of accuracy data for the loads. Many of my notes state the date, the components, and number of rounds, but only some have accuracy noted. A few are missing seating depth, some notes and targets don't specify the rifle, or other info that might be nice. I'm starting over on lots of these rounds, I can't remember the specifics after a few years of not doing it regularly.

So, as a recommendation to others, take better notes.
 
Began reloading back in the early '50's and have tried several methods but for the last several years have saved my sight in target (which always has one of the better groups for the rifle) in a 3 ring binder with all pertinent info recorded (date/conditions/rifle/loading data). Using the NRA 100 yard reduced targets which are a bit wide to fit in a three ring binder, just trim the right hand side of target sufficiently to fit. I usually make a copy of the target and trim it to fit in the 50 round ammo box so that zero and load is available in every box of ammo for a given rifle.
 
I also keep several note books, labeled with the rifle/caliber they reference. I don't keep targets, just approximate groups sizes of loads that repeated consistently. No targets because barrels wear, components lots can change requiring testing. And as I get older I know my shooting skills will drop off, have, don't want to be reminded before I make more rounds.
 
Keeping the targets in one notebook for all my hunting loads, worked best for me as I never could keep track of them otherwise. The copy in every box of loaded ammo simplified bookkeeping. 🤣
Each match rifle had their own scorebook with shot grouping plotted, any sight changes (for changing conditions) and the load used recorded on Pg. 1 of the book for 200, 300 & 600 yards.
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Easiest way to keep track of loading data and starting zero's for rifle @ different ranges.
 
I do keep the actual targets separately stapling that day's targets together as a group with the date, load, distance, and rifle on each. There's just too many that are too big to put in my shooting notebook so I have a neat pile set aside for occasional reference. The results are summarized in the notebook.
 
Load data is on the box along with the rifle name. If I need to know what the rifle shoots best I just look at the box. I used the keep a notebook but never looked at it after I worked up a load for the rifle.
 
I print my own targets that have a block at the bottom for all the firearm/load info and environmental conditions. I three-hole punch those targets and keep them as my loading records for each firearm. Kinka like hm1996 above, but personalized.
 
I’ve only been at it for a few years now but I prefer to have it on a whiteboard at the bench. When I get home from hunting or shooting, I can update my total round count on a given barrel. Really helps that I downsized the amount of guns I reload for too.

I’ll tweak the load if a I can’t keep a 10 shot group between 1”-1.5”. Real easy to keep track when you only got 3 good rifles in rotation.
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I'm in the same boat as you Bluebird! I got away from it for many years and now back, looking at my loading notes I am asking questions about some things that should have been written into the load data. I promised to do better moving forward :LOL:
 
I like the small, palm size notepads for this, you can write down all you info and it will fit in anywhere so its always in my main toolbox of loading tools.

This week I was writing my shotgun loading info on any old scrap of paper and then copy the important data from there into the notebook.
 
Midway used to have a 3 ring binder reloading manual that had a number of different log type pages. I have one and it has been awesome for keeping track of my loads as well as targets. It also came with the small peel and stick load data stickers to use with your ammo cases.
I am not sure if they even sell them any more as I bought mine years ago and now when I need any, I just make copies of the blank pages I have kept back to use for this purpose.
 
I keep very good notes on every load/rifle. I have it all in binders. The targets I use allow for ( groups on each sheet and also fit in my binder. Been doing it this way for years.
 
I keep files on my phone with notes. My problem is that I have dozens of ziplock bags with brass in various states of prep, loaded ammo with no identification (I can always sort it out pretty quickly, but I've had some head scratchers). I have 6cm in 6.5cm brass and vice versa, but I can tell them apart from 50' away, so it's not a problem. I've got .260 loaded in .243 cases. There are others. I always figure it out, but sometimes I'll open a box of my loaded ammo and have no idea what I'm looking at.
 
Hecouldgoalltheway said:
I keep files on my phone with notes. My problem is that I have dozens of ziplock bags with brass in various states of prep, loaded ammo with no identification (I can always sort it out pretty quickly, but I've had some head scratchers). I have 6cm in 6.5cm brass and vice versa, but I can tell them apart from 50' away, so it's not a problem. I've got .260 loaded in .243 cases. There are others. I always figure it out, but sometimes I'll open a box of my loaded ammo and have no idea what I'm looking at.
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I don't own any rifle calibers that I cannot ID caliber by sight, but do load in 50-100 round lots for each and refill when the urge presents itself. I store all my reloads in plastic boxes which do not hold normal stickers well & have two different 308's, each prefer their own load, so I mark outside of box w/marker to link to the proper rifle & , keep loading data/target in lid, as illustrated below.

When more than one load/bullet in the box I keep the last zero check target under a foam pad I cut to fit lid, as is the case for the .338 WM shown. The thin foam pad prevents case rattle and holds notes or targets relevant to the loading data, etc.)
I use red marker on primer for 200 gr. Silver Tip, Black primer for 210 NP, and the unmarked primers are all a 2nd batch the 210's which will require another zero check (as it is probably a different lot of RL 19 than those w/black primers).
The zero target, fired on 19 Oct. 2006 :oops:, indicates (1)First shot w/210 NP.....adjusted scope, (2) 2nd shot w/210 NP, (3) Zero check w/210 Silver Tip. If and when I ever get 15 or 20 MT cases, will think about refilling the box guess I'll have to find another color marker. Guess I better go to the range before taking this one hunting again.
Gotta love that rifle; not very picky on what ya feed it. The fired cases represent one Gemsbok, one Nilgai and one Scimitar. Good reminder that the freezer is MT, guess its time to go shoot sumthin'.:unsure:
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I have a large plastic ammo can/tote full of small memo note books. I have 1 for each caliber. I used to keep one for each gun but ended up with way too many. So now it's one per caliber and I note which gun it was tested in along with load and accuracy info.
I recently bought a set of colored index cards with a small box organizer to put known accuracy loads in. I just need to fill them out.
 
I use 3 ring binders for the targets. The good, the bad and the ugly all get placed in a binder. The targets have the load data on them. It sure saves a lot of components.

Like hm1996, I color code primers, but only on my shotshell reloads. When I'm out for pheasant, for example, I'll have a few different loads with me, usually with #5, #4 and #2 lead shot, and sometimes the loads get mixed in my pocket.

Yes, #2 lead, if the occasion calls for it, such as spooky birds in high winds. If they flush at 30yds, with a tailwind they can be at 50yds quickly, and lead #2 anchors them very well at distance. I don't have a dog anymore, so I need the birds dead where they fall.
 
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