Guns & Outdoors Forum

Do you keep a log of your reloads?
If so, what do you keep track of?

bullet, primer, powder and charge, case. COAL and velocity

Bullet, powder type and charge, case type and number of reloads, primer, date of reloads, COAL. I always put my name with the loads too. I put a post it note with all that info in the box of ammo. I put the post it on my “on deck” board to reload when the box is empty to replace that ammo.

GrapeApe wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 4:01 pm bullet, primer, powder and charge, case. COAL and velocity

Same, except I measure Base to Ogive Length instead of COAL. And I list the firearm the load was made for.

Zee wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 5:47 pm

GrapeApe wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 4:01 pm bullet, primer, powder and charge, case. COAL and velocity

Same, except I measure Base to Ogive Length instead of COAL. And I list the firearm the load was made for.

Which firearm good idea
Measure ogive for all or just those with plastic tip?

I'm probably preaching to the choir here, but there is a good resource to log in your handloading data. It's at huntingnut.com. The software is called PointBlank. It keeps all your data handy.

jwv2023 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 6:22 pm I'm probably preaching to the choir here, but there is a good resource to log in your handloading data. It's at huntingnut.com. The software is called PointBlank. It keeps all your data handy.

Thanks
Im late to the game so new to me
I have just written in a notebook
Was going to ask about log book available or spreadsheet etc.

Diver43 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 6:19 pm

Zee wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 5:47 pm

GrapeApe wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 4:01 pm bullet, primer, powder and charge, case. COAL and velocity

Same, except I measure Base to Ogive Length instead of COAL. And I list the firearm the load was made for.

Which firearm good idea
Measure ogive for all or just those with plastic tip?

All except straight wall. And I could probably do those as well. Just haven’t yet. BTO is a more consistent measurement than COAL. From my experience. Especially when measuring the chamber as I do and trying to seat .005” off the lands.

Elk Creek wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 4:28 pm Bullet, powder type and charge, case type and number of reloads, primer, date of reloads, COAL. I always put my name with the loads too. I put a post it note with all that info in the box of ammo. I put the post it on my “on deck” board to reload when the box is empty to replace that ammo.

Ah, forgot. I put the date as well. Thanks for reminding me.

Don’t really see the need for a notebook. I tried that at first. Became superfluous. I write it on a detailed sticky card you can get from any number of manufacturers. Make the load. Stick it on the lid of the box of handloaded ammo. If I grab the box, I know what’s in it and how I made it. Didn’t see the point of a log book anymore. Often times, I will even put the 3x5 card inside the box that detailed the load development. Just in case I want to change something. I will know what I already did. But, it’s in the box. With the ammo in question.

I print "label" on regular paper and then tape it to the top of the box with 2" tape.

Here's the first box I had handy for a pic.
It doesn't list the velocity. I normally do that for subs and suppers w/ 300bo and if they're loaded for the 8.5 or 16" I use some abbreviations. PP2KMR IS Power Pro-2000MR

Used a log book years ago but pretty much rely on labels these days. About the only thing I add that’s not mentioned so far is specific firearm since I have loads in same cartridge that are not suitable for all platforms.

Here's how I differentiate loads for different firearms.

If you notice, average MV is only 7fps different between them, in their respective barrel length. The Noveske brass for the 8.5" is "Black Nickel" while the 16 incher's Norma is "regular" brass. So I have an OBVIOUS visual cue which load is for what bbl length, if I just find a mag loaded with the Sub-X 300BO.

I was thinking notebook to list everything tried and did or didn't work. Once best load found keep it and send the rest to history.
Right now working on .223 Remington 700 1:12 twist so 55 gr and less bullets.

I appreciate hearing what you guys use. Seems all are pretty close.

For my .308 , I already know what works well, my goal is to duplicate Hornady 168 gr ELD-Match. Maybe try speeding it up a bit. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Hornady uses Varget. I prefer H4895 in my loads.

Zee wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 11:54 pm Hornady uses Varget. I prefer H4895 in my loads.

Going tonthe range tomorrow morning with the .223
Will zero the scope and test what I have including 3 loads of H4895 with 52 gr eld m bullets

I’ve been known to forget a powder charge and pull a bullet to weigh it.
So no, I don’t keep a book.
I do have a few notes on key loads, and have started putting labels on the boxes as to what they are.

CPJ 2.0 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 09, 2025 12:40 am I’ve been known to forget a powder charge and pull a bullet to weigh it.
So no, I don’t keep a book.
I do have a few notes on key loads, and have started putting labels on the boxes as to what they are.

Yeah time to start labeling your reloads…..

Zee wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 11:54 pm Hornady uses Varget. I prefer H4895 in my loads.

My 308’s get H4895 too

Zee wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 11:54 pm Hornady uses Varget. I prefer H4895 in my loads.

I use TAC in my 150 gr. loads, but H4895 has given best accuracy in 168 gr. loads.

I keep a note pad for load work. I measure new brass to the datum point and measure after firing so I know where the shoulder went and how much I want to bump it back on the next load. I also measure seating depth to the ogive. Once I’ve found a load that I want to stay with, I use my own load data tags in my ammo boxes that contain all the info I need to recreate that load.

I’ve also went digital on load work. I used to cut out the groups on my target, measure them and save them in a binder with their data. My phone does that for me now.

Another game changer for me that I’m still learning is the Garmin Xero chronograph. That thing collects and sends data to my phone… it’s freakin magic…

Jay wrote: ↑Wed Jul 09, 2025 4:12 am Another game changer for me that I’m still learning is the Garmin Xero chronograph. That thing collects and sends data to my phone… it’s freakin magic…

That's on the list

Jay wrote: ↑Wed Jul 09, 2025 4:12 am Another game changer for me that I’m still learning is the Garmin Xero chronograph. That thing collects and sends data to my phone… it’s freakin magic…

I bought a small padded box, cut the foam to fit mine and keep it clipped to my range bag

I got lucky and found the Cole Tac case for the Garmin on sale 50% off. It’s a nice little case. I would not have spent the full pop price for it. But half off, heck yeah. My Garmin lives in my range bag.

It is so nice having that thing after all the years of having to assemble a sky screen Chrony. Just set the Garmin on the bench next to the gun and start shooting. Love it.