Just starting to record my shots, but why?

[Helter]

I'm just starting to keep track of my (recently started) precision shooting.

I read the "what do I need in a data/logbook reference" post, but it seemed to skip answering that question in favor of advertising one data/logbook in favor of other options. I ended the thread still wondering "how will this help me?"
I'm somewhat willing to do things that don't seem to make sense, just because people who know more than me say it's a good idea. I'm not overly inclined to *buy* things just because someone says I should though.
So what I have at the moment is a moleskin. On the first few pages I'm recording shooting trips for this gun. These pages have the date, rounds shot, type of rounds, and where they were shot.
In the rest of it, so far I'm basically collaging. I cut out the target centers, annotate them with the date, location, number of shots, range, and anything that I think might be relevant.
What *should* I be recording? Why? Aside from maybe showing friends later, I really don't know why I'm keeping this stuff. I don't keep a record of my pistol or carbine targets. I don't keep track of anything in trap shooting... What should I expect to get out of this aside from an oddly threatening craft book?

 

[Jethro21]

Re: Just starting to record my shots, but why?

I am no expert by any means, but I will tell you how I use my data book.

First, I have found that using a data book helped cure me of just going out and blazing through ammo. I take the time to read wind direction and dope for it, plot my shots and call them.

I record my hits and misses, along with my elevation reading for various yardages. Over the course of several different outings at various temps, I have a pretty good log of elevation based on environmental variables. I guess that helps me in making a SWAG every now and then.

I also use my data book for logging my load development, not only counting the rounds but recording accuracy, consistancy etc.

For me, I get a kick out of my data book. I look forward to filling it and moving on to another one. The biggest benefit for me though is that I slow my range time down, making sure I observe, plan and try to perfectly execute every shot. To me it beats blasting away at coffe cans.

 

[Helter]

Re: Just starting to record my shots, but why?

Ok, I can definitely see some benefit from that. Do you use a purchased logbook, make your own, or just keep a sort of "shooting diary"?

 

[harbinger]

Re: Just starting to record my shots, but why?

The books advertised here on the hide will no doubt suit your purpose and are great tools. If you wish you could make one yourself as well.

You are on your way by recording what date/time/place you are shooting but I would add as much environmental data as you have access to as well. Start with temp, humidity, barometric pressure, wind direction/speed, and light conditions (bright, overcast, and direction it is coming from in relation to direction you are shooting).

Also add what type of position you are shooting and if it is supported/unsupported (bench, bipod, off a pack, sling). Plot where you call the shots (where you believe they went) and where they impacted. Make sure to record where your scope turrets were set for each shot and if you were holding over or aiming dead on.

Record where your cold bore shots struck as opposed to follow up shots, and were they clean or dirty cold bore shots.

As to why all this data? To gather accurate "DOPE" for your rifle/load combo. "DOPE" = Data On Previous Engagement

You can now begin to see how your rifle will perform in a given set of environmental/shooting conditions. It will also give you a real understanding of the amount of variance you can see because of these conditions. If you stretch the distances out past 100 yards you can begin to see some remarkable changes in how a rifle will shoot given differences in some of those variables.

It will also let you know where you strengths/weaknesses are and may provide some feedback as to shooter error instead of blaming the rifle or ammo.

At first it may seem tedious or overly analytical, but the first time you are able to use that data to correctly predict how the bullet will travel downrange and correctly place, you will have that "Aha" moment.

Just my opinion, but the reasonable price books and pages are offered from some of the vendors here is reason enough to just buy one and have all the blanks waiting for you to fill out.

Good luck, happy shooting

 

[gstaylorg]

Re: Just starting to record my shots, but why?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Helter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm just starting to keep track of my (recently started) precision shooting.

I read the "what do I need in a data/logbook reference" post, but it seemed to skip answering that question in favor of advertising one data/logbook in favor of other options. I ended the thread still wondering "how will this help me?"
I'm somewhat willing to do things that don't seem to make sense, just because people who know more than me say it's a good idea. I'm not overly inclined to *buy* things just because someone says I should though.
So what I have at the moment is a moleskin. On the first few pages I'm recording shooting trips for this gun. These pages have the date, rounds shot, type of rounds, and where they were shot.
In the rest of it, so far I'm basically collaging. I cut out the target centers, annotate them with the date, location, number of shots, range, and anything that I think might be relevant.
What *should* I be recording? Why? Aside from maybe showing friends later, I really don't know why I'm keeping this stuff. I don't keep a record of my pistol or carbine targets. I don't keep track of anything in trap shooting... <span style="color: #FF0000">What should I expect to get out of this aside from an oddly threatening craft book?</span> </div></div>

Dude,
That's pretty damn funny right there..."an oddly threatening craft book" LOL.

In all seriousness, the old adage, "Those that don't remember the past are condemned to repeat it" is particularly apt for precision rifle shooting. One example: recording wind velocity and changes at a particular range and how those changes affected your shots. Think that info might ever be of use at a competition at that same range if the wind conditions were similar? The same would also hold true for hunting, etc. The more you know how your equipment behaves in different circumstances under varying environmental conditions, the better your chance of making a critical shot when faced with a similar situation. Even further, you'll be developing a better "feel" for how your equipment functions that is very likely to be of benefit in making that critical shot even under conditions that you haven't encountered previously. Record, evaluate, and implement based on your evaluation.

 

[B3dlam]

Re: Just starting to record my shots, but why?

The Idea behind collecting DOPE (Data On Previous Engagements) Is that basically the only way to know what your rifle will actually do when temperatures change or at different ranges is to actually shoot it. Ballistic programs are great but say you are shooting a long range rifle competition and you have two options either A look at at a data card you printed off a website like JBM ballistics or B be able to look at your records and see that when you shot that exact range in similar weather you know exactly what your bullet did. Also things like your cold bore clean bore shot will often be different then follow up shots. By keeping a record you can adjust for this shift on your first shot. If all you ever intend to do is punch paper plinking at the range you may not need to keep dope but if you plan to shoot competitively ever or even just hunt at longer ranges dope can be invaluable.

 

[pmclaine]

Re: Just starting to record my shots, but why?

I took advantage of the IDB June promo. I just received my book yesterday.

Previously I had kept my info in a Rite in the Rain notebook. The benefit of my note taking is to reference back to my last shooting session and get a starting point from where to begin my new session. Problems with the RTR notebook include 1. organization - I fail to be consistent in my note taking and 2. the book is not specifically designed for use at the range - it closes on its own, I have to try to get back to my page while slung up - just an ass ache.

The IDB book will force me to track the info that matters and it will be much more user friendly in its lay flat format while at the range.

 

[Beepy]

Re: Just starting to record my shots, but why?

I'm the exact opposite of PM....

I started with a log book, cause, you know every one's doing it! I then went to a write in the rain notebook. All I use it for is to record time/date/weather, rounds fired, which loads. I have a weird form of CDO (that's OCD for you guys that are not..

I have to have everything perfect, but my organization is in my head, I just know where the stuff is I need to find. It drives my wife nuts, she says that I'm the "most disorganized anal person she knows." Anyways the big log book just became a hassle. I had several years worth of log books, one each for each rifle, and I never looked at them. Now granted I am very low speed, high drag so I never needed it.

I guess it just comes down to you, and what you need it for. If you don't use it, don't do it....

Edit to add:

I was thinking, I guess I am a bit more anal, cause I also record: average group size and round count per group, scores for the dot drill and ranges.... along with anything else important I guess...

 

[Jethro21]

Re: Just starting to record my shots, but why?

I bought my book from Storm tactical here on the Hide, I find it is a good resource. I don't have ballistic programs, most of my shooting was guess work at first, so their velocity and drop charts were a good starting point for me. But now, after logging my info for several sessions, I have a pretty good range card going.

I bought one of their pre made books. If I had to do it again, I would buy one from them that allowed me to choose what info was in it. I need more blank target sheets that allow me to draw my target, but other than that, my book is great and again, I think it really took my outings to different level.