recording data

[Ben]

If you keep your reloading data on your computer ( and I do...), what form
do you use to record the data ?

Possibly you could show us a form with your data on it ?

[noylj]

Excel or any spreadsheet program. I do not track times a case has been fired and a whole lot of other esoterica. I set-up a separate worksheet for each cartridge.
One worksheet looks like this:
Bullet Mfg. Nominal Bullet Weight Actual Avg. Bullet Weight Bullet Type Powder Powder Weight Primer COL Gun Accuracy Accuracy w/o flyers Date Shot Notes:
Bull-X 148 148 L-HBWC 231/HP38 2.9 WSP unk M52/BarSto bbl 2.630 2.630 Weighed charge individually.
Bull-X 148 148 L-HBWC 231/HP38 3.0 WSP unk M52 1.880 1.880 Weighed charge individually.
Bull-X 148 148 L-HBWC 231/HP38 3.1 WSP unk M52/BarSto bbl 3.560 3.560 Weighed charge individually.
Bull-X 148 148 L-HBWC 231/HP38 3.3 WSP unk M52 2.360 2.360 Weighed charge individually.
Bull-X 148 148 L-HBWC 231/HP38 3.3 WSP unk M52/BarSto bbl 3.000 3.000 Weighed charge individually.

You have to decide what data you feel is pertinent to your reloading and if it varies depending on cartridge or gun used.

[rmcc]

Excel is easiest to set up and use but a database lets you sort and manipulate your data easrier. If you are just starting, take the time to setup and use the database. I didn't and regret it. I have records since 1982 when I started loading. I have transfered them from program to program, a pain!!

[Cherokee]

I made up a form for Microsoft Word (converted from an earlier word processor) and have used that to keep load records and range results. One "form" for every load. I would have used a database but I wanted the ability to record lots of range results and at the time, couldn't do that with DB's. My data goes back to the 70's. Today, I would see about using a database but Excel is good.

[LabGuy]

I keep mine on a computer; I like to keep data in database, so it’s in Microsoft Access. If I want to graph something I pull the data into Excel using Microsoft Query. I can print labels for my reloads and such very easily. I have had one major downfall with computerized reloading data. When I was first learning data bases I started a reloading database using Ashton Tate’s dbase III (about 1985). Then I took a twenty year sabbatical from reloading. Now my old original reloading database is on a 5 1/4 inch floppy disk and I have no way to read the disk. So at least keep your media up to date.

Anyone got an old working PC with a 5 1/4 floppy to retrieve my old data?

[emorris]

I use the recipe templets in microsoft to record my load date. I save each load and name it with bullet powder weight. berrys 180rs with xx grains of powder x is named berry180rsbullseyex.x If you do save it on computer dont forget to back up the files

[MtGun44]

I keep photos of the group with a sticky note with the info on it. The file name is
the basic info. I sort these into subdirectories, rifle/pistol; milsurp/commercial;
then the action type; then the particular rifle - with last 3 dig of SN if duplicated.
Then cast/jacketed for a particular gun. I have an old 'less capable' digital camera
that always goes to the range. Set up enough targets to shoot a few groups, then
go and photograph and then paste the targets and go again if needed.

The little "M" in the lwr rt corner is a reminder that the sticky (written before shooting
the group, reading date written on the side of the brass with fine Sharpy) is for
the middle group. I apparently had three targets set up that day and this was for
the middle one. There would have been a "L" and a "R" or a "T" and "B", that
session.


For example:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=161&pictureid=3951


Pretty easy to scroll through pix to see if the group was worth trying to duplicate.

I find that the old saw "A picture is worth a thousand words" works here, too.

Bill

[Ben]

Here is what I'm using, when I get home from the range , I often will take the photos of the groups that correspond with each row on my load data record sheet and attach JPEG photos to the load data and store everything on a 4 GB jump drive in the event that the computer on my loading bench crashes, I won't loose anything.

Ben

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/311365%20NOE%20Brass%202%20Cav/0022.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/311365%20NOE%20Brass%202%20Cav/001.jpg

[Hafast]

PM sent about data transfer.

[H.Callahan]

Anyone got an old working PC with a 5 1/4 floppy to retrieve my old data?

You can get 5¼ inch floppy drives off of fleabay for $10-$20.