Reloading, Log Book Suggestions

[sjl127]

I went to buy some ammo today, and instead, I bought a reloading kit.

What are your methods of recording a record of what you did so you can easily find it later? And, what information do you write down? Why do I need to do this?

[deafsmithco]

I use a note book in addition to the load stickers I put on the box of ammo. Record the following:
caliber
powder: make, type, weight, lot #
primer: make, type, lot#
bullet: make, type, weight, lot,#
case: make, lot# (I don't weigh the case but some do)

How many times the case was fired.
How many times case was trimmed.
Over all length of loaded case.
Muzzle vel.
The firearm it was loaded for.
The date it was loaded.

This all goes in the book along with how well it shoots and any other little tidbits. The stickers get as much as I can fit on them.
It pays to buy in bulk once you find a load you like. Keeping records lets you know exactly what you loaded and how it performed, so you don't have to start from scratch when your cases are empty. You don't have to guess at your brass history, which is important. There can also be a recall on a component you are using, so having lot numbers is very important.

I have never used a commercial log book and don't know what's out there. I
would like to hear methods others use, as I could find a better way.

[Sebastian]

I went to buy some ammo today, and instead, I bought a reloading kit.

What are your methods of recording a record of what you did so you can easily find it later? And, what information do you write down? Why do I need to do this?

Welcome to a whole new level of gun nuttery. It's good to take careful notes. It will take a bit of experimentation to find a load that works well for your gun. I am still relatively new at this myself, but I've noted a few lessons learned.

[sjl127]

Muzzle vel.

How do you figure this out?

[Sebastian]

How do you figure this out?

Chronograph is the best way. You can also estimate it based on the loading data, by adding or subtracting for barrel length. Most loading data is a 24" barrel.

[CENTERMAST]

Most reloading books will give very specific info about every caliber they have published in them such as :
- barrel manufacturer
-barrel length
-barrel twist rate
-case type
-primer type
-cartridge overall length

I would suggest purchasing at least two different reloading manuals, such as Noslers's #6 reloading guide and Hornadys newest guide. That way you can cross check and compare data. Sometimes one book will not have info on a particular bullet or bullet weight.

[sjl127]

case: make, lot# (I don't weigh the case but some do)

Does case weight make a difference in ballistics?

[sjl127]

Another thing, the book I have seems limited to only speer bullets.

Other book suggestions?

[CENTERMAST]

Depends on who you ask. If you ask most benchrest shooters, I would bet that they would say yes. They frequently weigh each empty case and only use the ones that weigh the same or are within a very small deviation. Since I am not a benchrest shooter, I do not go to that extreme when reloading rifle or pistol cartidges for hunting and recreational shooting.

[CENTERMAST]

check #6 above