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I'm working up to my first loads, what are the suggestions for the information in documenting your loads. How much powder, weight and type of bullets is important. Anything else?

O6nop wrote:I'm working up to my first loads, what are the suggestions for the information in documenting your loads. How much powder, weight and type of bullets is important. Anything else?

Date of loading is important. Overall Length (OAL) is important. Brand of primers is important. Also, keep records not of just the weight of the powder, but of the brand and type as well e.g. .45 ACP, 230 gr. FMJ, CCI LP primers, Hodgdon Universal Clays: 5.6 gr., OAL 1.270. 08/05/07.

O6nop wrote:I'm working up to my first loads, what are the suggestions for the information in documenting your loads. How much powder, weight and type of bullets is important. Anything else?

I always list the primer, OAL, and the amount of crimp.

Sometimes I also note the brass by maker.

And since I have military and commercial rifles in the same caliber I
always indicate which of them the load is built and/or safe for.

And of course, keep track of the date in your load book. This will allow
you to identify loads in boxes long after you have forgotten what the
heck they are. Provided that you also date the loaded ammo boxes.

Have fun.

Kind Regards,

Tom

In addition to the information others have given you, I also log the bullet maker, as well as the average velocity and type of gun and barrel length used in the test. My Excel Spreadsheet has the formula to take this information and calculate the Power Factor (for IDPA and IPSC matches), as well as muzzle energy. I chrono the loads, I don't use the velocity stated in the loading manual. The spreadsheet also has a place for notes.

This makes it easy to glance at the spreadsheet for a given caliber and quickly determine what loads make the required power factor, muzzle energy, etc.

Chas.

It seem to me what information you need depends on why you are reloading. If you are trying to get more accurate loads, then I agree with all of the information above. However I reload because I enjoy it and it is cheaper. I am really not worried about a more accurate load. So I only keep track of the bullet weight and type and the powder and charge.

Tom wrote:And of course, keep track of the date in your load book.

Is there a log book available or is it just as easy to develop your own?

O6nop wrote:

Tom wrote:And of course, keep track of the date in your load book.

Is there a log book available or is it just as easy to develop your own?

While there probably are load books available for purchase I have always
just used a spiral bound 8.5 X 11 notebook. I make lines from top to
bottom for the columns and that way can make the space for entries
larger or smaller as I need them.

I also leave a large area at the end for any notes or comments. And I
rarely go beyond one row per load. Oh, and I also include the number
of cartridges loaded on each line. This could be anywhere from 1 to
500, or more, depending upon what I am loading for.

I set aside pages per cartridge and don't mix them within a single page.
This makes it lots easier to find loads as I usually always know what
caliber/cartridge I am searching for.

This may all seem tedious now but as you progress you will soon find
yourself making lots of different loads for different reasons. It will save
you major headaches later by tracking all of this from the getgo.

Good luck with your new hobby. It could become an obsession so prepare
yourself.

Kind Regards,

Tom

stroo wrote:It seem to me what information you need depends on why you are reloading. If you are trying to get more accurate loads, then I agree with all of the information above. However I reload because I enjoy it and it is cheaper. I am really not worried about a more accurate load. So I only keep track of the bullet weight and type and the powder and charge.

I'm glad you posted this; it made me realize my post was misleading. I don't enter all of the information into the Excel spreadsheet for all ammo I load. I do it only when I'm developing a new load, so I'll have the information. For "everyday" reloading, I have pre-printed labels showing the following:

Date:___________ Cal. .45 ACP
Powder: WW231 Wt.: 5.4 Gr.
Bullet: Precision Wt.: 200 SWC
Primer: WLP Seated: 1.252 (N) Crimp: .470
Power Factor:

Chas.

Here is my "first" reloading log:

loading_log_v1.pdf

I like your labels Charles, will have to work on a version for myself.

Ryan

I'm a low tech kinda guy. Pencil and paper for me. Got a MTM Handloaders Log at Sportmens Wharehouse when I first started reloading. Its a 3 ring binder, with 4 different load sheets, firearms inventory sheets, and 4 different type of targets that you copy to make more. Has kept everything neat and orderly for me.

Dan