what do you record load data in?

A logbook (about the size of a surveyor's notebook) for hard copy recording, because I also record observations about the reloading process itself, the press, the brass, etc.

And I have the pure load data in a spreadsheet for ease of searching.
 
I have made a bunch I keep in a binder to fill out and then transfer to excel.
I can't postpocs on here but if you want a copy you can pm me your email. You can print and hole punch it
 
This

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In my head.
And sometimes little labels and bits of tape on ammo boxes.

It hasn't worked terribly well over the long term so now I almost always put 2 or 3 lines in a binder at every reloading session.
Makes a difference. Especially when you go to recreate something that you last did 15 years ago.

I honestly prefer a paper record to spreadsheet or other digital storage. The tactility of writing it out and having a hardcopy are well suited to the physical processes of the loading. At least for myself anyway. Should file a backup copy someplace though.
It doesn't matter how you keep records but it is very useful that you do.
 
I use 3 ring binders. Some calibers get their own binder. Other binders are for ranges of calibers e.g. 22 Hornet to 300Mag and another for 310 to 12 ga.

It is important that each gun gets its own page(s) because each gun will have its own favourites, OALs, etc.

The pages I use originally came from a pad of data pages sold by MTM. I don't know if they still do.

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Excell Spreadsheet. I now have 603 tested loads recorded. That is over 6,000 rounds over my Chrony.

Take Care

Bob
 
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I use a coil notebook with enough space to record both the recipe and a reasonable amount of notes. We're not talking a dissertation on quantum physics here, but a few lines. 6" x 9" maybe?
For indexing, each batch I load gets a unique alphanumeric identifier corresponding to the date it was loaded.
For example 040818A was the first batch I loaded today (04 day, 08 month, 18 year, A for first batch if there's more than one)
The same number gets Sharpied (fine point) on every rifle round that goes in the box.
The note book goes to the range with me during load development to record velocities, group sizes, air temps, etc.
 
I keep it in my head until loads are finalized. After that the load info is recorded in the box lid with charge, bullet , powder, primer, COL, which die set if there's more than one in play and and which competition shellholder. I'll write down the original length to lands as well.

Trial loads I tend to write the charge on the cartridge itself with a sharpie. I didn't learn that after the first or tenth time I spilt the box, or the twentyth time I took a shell out and couldn't swear which row it came out of. I just got that from hearing someone else who had decided the last time was the last time.
 
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I use a spiral bound notebook, and record the caliber, powder (and charge weight) and other component specifics.
If I'm making a test batch, I use a colored sharpie marker to mark the primers, and make a note of what color is what variant.
All of the pertinent info also gets recorded on a label for the package (box or baggie, as appropriate).
 
I use AmmoTracker for my iPhone. It’s a great app that keeps track of everything including pics of targets for each load or pics of the chrony or ??? Everything can be exported to email and is neat. It’s vwry well organized for accessing loads by name, caliber, date etc. very handy for me.
 
Excel spreadsheets are good. Email it to yourself as an attachment every now and then or print hard copies. Computers are not forever, sometimes they fail catastrophically and all the data on them is lost.
 
I have a reloaders binder from Midway, acquired when they still shipped to us Northerners. I have expanded into a second binder over the years.
I now also often photograph test targets with Iphone and include the load info in the notes app.
 
It doesn't matter what medium you use as long as you start recording. Buy a $.25 school scribbler and start keeping some basic records. You can expand to more sophisticated methods as you get to be a more sophisticated shooter.
 
Jethunter is correct of course. Many ideas here.
I usually shoot groups over a chronograph. Mine is a PACT with a built in printer and I write load data on the printout and staple them in the binder as well.
 
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