Log Books

[Al]

what are you guys using for log books to keep track of loads for various guns?

I've resorted to a wire bound schoolnote book for years, but time to "upgrade" to something more dedicated.

[Richard]

I guess I'm old fashion too ;D As you might have seen from my posts, I use the "ole' looseleaf folders!" Only, with the new reinforced holes. I have the colored plastic tabs with the appropriate rifle or handgun listed. One folder is strictly for my two Savage ML's, One exclusively for my competition rifles and the third for all the rest. I suppose this information could be put on the computer, but something about a folder or note book that you can pick up in an instant and see what you want! Computers are OK, but I like a "hard copy!" I bring mine to the range with me for reference.
Richard

[rossman40]

There are several log books out there, here is a few links,


www.jarheadtop.com/books.html

www.creedmoorsports.com/store/home.php?cat=372

www.ustacticalsupply.com/modularsniperdatabooknsn1220-01-547-1801.aspx

stormtactical.com/data.htm

www.protectionelite.net/datapac/index.html

www.hsprecision.com/shop/accessories/ap214.html

I'm in the old fashioned group also. The spiral note book is tough to beat. I do not need write in the rain paper. I do not need all the sniper or tactical BS. I do need a set format though. My book looks a lot like Richard's. I do start off at the top with date, weather conditions and sometimes where. Then for each target a little diagram and the load data and chrony readings if any. One thing I wish I kept better data on is what scope/mount I had on the rifle for that day of shooting and adjustments. At the end of the day I will put the total number of rounds fired at the top of the page. One thing I will start keeping better track of is cold bore shots. After I analyze my targets I will write in the book group sizes, usually in a different color ink.

I have gone high tech on my targets. Before I would keep them (trimmed down) in a binder or on my desk. Now I use a program called On Target, I just take a picture with my camera or even my phone, upload it into the computer and mark my bullet holes and the program spits out the data. I will record the group size and maybe the offset in the note book and put all the needed data from the note book in the notes section for the target in the On Target program. I save the target using a reference number of the date and a letter (if I ever run thru the entire alphabet in one day I'll start over with two letters, AA, BB). If I have a question from the note book at a later date I can quickly pull up the On Target file.

But just how much data do you need/want? The date is a no brainer. As far as weather temperature, wind direction and speed are needed but do you want humidity and barometric pressure (if it is corrected to sea level you need your altitude) which is needed for some ballistic programs. If your using a chrony you need the distance from the muzzle to the first screen. Range to target is again a no brainer but do you need lighting conditions and a note on mirage if present. As far as the rifle sight height, scope/mount set-up would be useful if you change a lot. Then there is vent size and maybe how many shots are on the breech plug since it was last cleaned/drilled or even what type of breechplug if you use different types. If your shooting with a fouled bore how many shots are on it since last cleaned and maybe note if/how your patching between shots. If you have the capabilities should you record barrel temps and or if your using a cooling rod. What about cooling time between shots, do you want to note that? Load components is another no brainer but you should note knurling.

[Al]

I use to have a old MTM Log Book, but somewheres in the moves, it was lost. It had space for basic data, primer, powder, bullet, chg weight, oal, comments etc. Heck, if I could just find a old page, I'd be all set, I perfer paper vs electronic.

as far as creating one on Excel, I'm not so smart with the keyboard.

[raf]

Just use a note book.

[ET]

Jun 8, 2009 17:09:01 GMT -5 Al said:

I use to have a old MTM Log Book, but somewheres in the moves, it was lost. It had space for basic data, primer, powder, bullet, chg weight, oal, comments etc. Heck, if I could just find a old page, I'd be all set, I perfer paper vs electronic.

as far as creating one on Excel, I'm not so smart with the keyboard.

Al

If you want say a sheet in Excel I am more than willing to help construct one that suits your needs and then send you the whole file if your are interested.


If you want I can make custom pages with pictures inserted. Turn the page sideways, etc. Then you either print out as many as you want or create numerous sheets within the file. Be more than willing to help with this.


Ed

[rossman40]

Sorry Al, I might of missed it. You need a shooting log for a ML or a reload data log book for cartridges?

For cartridges I still use the good ole spiral note book. Data is pretty much the same as this,

reloadbench.com/pdf/reloadlog.pdf

I do lots of 50 or 100, bullets come in hundreds and so do primers and it makes it easier to keep track of brass. For my 30-06 I have 10 50rd boxes and brass is segregated by make and weight and the 50rds of brass stays in that box with notes saying what has been done to the lot and number of firings. I may change charge weight within a lot and even COL. I use MTM boxes and love using their stickers, they are made here in Dayton and I use to shoot with a employee, lets just say I use to have a pretty good supply,

www.ammoboxes.com/ll-1.html

Lot numbers on everything helps, like when you see a big difference say in velocity. Sometimes I have shot one load at 90 degrees and then a year later again at 50 and see close MVs and think the powder is temp stable but find out is was due to different powder lots.

Again it is a matter of transferring data from the shooting log to the reload log on how the ammo performed. Again I assign a load number to the reload lot and that gets noted in the shooting log so I can reference everything.

[Al]

Ed, thanks for the offer, let me see what I can come up with.

Rossman, it'd be for both. Right now I have 3 different ML projects, and the same for CF guns to wring out this summer. A couple will be pretty simple, the sabotless ML will be one of the more extensive ones with all the bullet and powder combos. I'm thinking weapon info at the top, then data lines listed below with loads tried.