• Quick Shot Challenge: What’s the dumbest shooting myth you’ve heard?

    Drop it in the replies for the chance to win a free shirt!

    Join the contest

Record everything!

jambau

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Sep 2, 2010
408
106
PA
What a Jack Ass! I put alot of work into a new Howa Thumbhole Varminter in .223rem. I posted the update on this sight bragging about shooting several groups .800 or less with shit rounds consisting of different bullets (of the same weight) and various primers used during fire forming. You would think the first step in making the reloads would be to use the same powder and charge with matching components. Yeah, if the dick head behind the press remembered to write down what he put in them in the first place. Started from scratch tonight. Remember folks, as common sense as it seems, don't make a stupid mistake like me. Keep thorough notes.
 
Re: Record everything!

Furnaceinstructions.jpg

My favorite example of documentation was starting the furnace in the fall and finding a helpful diagram and instructions stapled to the wall in the furnace room.

The odd thing was that it was in MY handwriting, and I had no memory of writing it.

What does it all mean?
Document things so well that someone else can understand. That someone may turn out to be your own forgetful self.
 
Re: Record everything!

What I do even with trash loads is write the information on masking tape and stick it to the ammo box. If I like the load the info goes into my log. If not I peel it off and try something else.
 
Re: Record everything!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jerkface11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What I do even with trash loads is write the information on masking tape and stick it to the ammo box. If I like the load the info goes into my log. If not I peel it off and try something else. </div></div>

I do the exact same thing
 
Re: Record everything!

I have a problem with writing on masking tape disappearing over the years, and the masking tape hard to get off.
Still, that is my most common method of marking materials.
I leave the price tags on things to identify them. The pistol in my pocket right now still has the price tag on it. My brother says that reminds him of Minnie Pearl's hat.
 
Re: Record everything!

If you try a load and don't like it and throw the load info away, what's to keep you from trying it a second time?

I record EVERY load in an excel file. It is assigned a four digit number with the first digit (which could be a letter) identifying the gun it was shot in. The second digit identifies the bullet. ES, SD, avg velocity, group size, target distance, air temp, sky and wind conditions are also recorded.
 
Re: Record everything!

I threw together 25 rounds of 308 to sight in a rifle but didn't get around to going to the range for 4 months afterward due to weather and work conflicts. When I finally got to the range, it shot lights out. I don't even remember which bullet, type of powder, charge weight or OAL or ANYTHING! I learned my lesson. Now every ammo box has a recipe card of what is in it and I write down range conditions and how the loads performed. These cards go into a file for each rifle separately so I know what worked and what didn't. That way, like another posted, I don't try a load that has been previously tried that didn't work well.
 
Re: Record everything!

I have an updated version of this label, but I make sure I put one in EVERY ammo box I make. I still have labels lying around from the 90's. I have these on an 8.5x11 and just run off several copies at a time, then cut them up.

loadlabel.jpg
 
Re: Record everything!

I can be a bit lazy, but working up loads takes time away from other things so I do four things: I document all my reloading in a notebook that sits on the bench - cartridge, bullet, powder, number of rounds loaded, and, usually, COAL - nothing fancy. That has come in handy for a lot of things, including figuring out how many rounds through things I don't usually track rounds for. I also use the masking tape labeling method for trial loads. I keep track of velocities and group sizes and ambient temperatures on a spreadsheet and highlight good loads. Finally, I use 100-yd benchrest targets with the six small targets on them. I note the date and load on the best targets and post them on the back wall of the shelves above my bench. In addition to being a handy double check when reloading, those tight little groups look pretty cool when I pull into the garage!