I have been reloading for about 8 years and my record keeping has been virtually out of control. I have lost so much information and recently decided to get more organized with an Access database. I also wanted to keep a record of chronograph and range results without keeping a pile of targets stuck in a binder. Ballistic-X photos are cropped and included as links in the Access database. Data is in relational tables so the data need only be entered once. Reload lot numbers are nothing more than the sequentially assigned index number for the reload record. While I am still tweaking it, so far I have been happy with the results. Attached are some examples of what I print and keep in my logbooks (typically printed on Rite-In-Rain paper and kept in Staples mini-binder with Avery plastic dividers) and labels with my handloads. CAUTION: Handload data shown in the attached is safe in MY rifle and not necessarily yours.
Reload and Chronograph Log
- Thread starter nobeone
- Start date
When Access first came out I converted many of my Excel files to an Access database to get the features of a Relational Database system. Access was great, particularly for generating reports for periods of time. For me, the only problem I really had with any of my Access databases was developing an interface that was easy to understand and use by colleagues or employees. Apparently, I wasn't very good at developing software interfaces. ? That was more when I had my own business. Now, I find Excel, because of it ease of use and flexibility, to be more useful. . . particularly in logging my reloading and shooting data. I guess for reloading applications, which might be best to use depends on just what one is trying to get out of the data???
It's been a log time since I've seen someone set up an Access database. Looking good there nobeone.
It's been a log time since I've seen someone set up an Access database. Looking good there nobeone.
Last edited:
Thanks straightshooter. I first learned Access in 1994 when I had a project that used electronic data from multiple sources and required about 50 engineers to review and process that data. That project forced me to learn relational databases, visual basic programming and human interface. Ironically, that database is still in use today although over the years others have built on it. The biggest problem with Access is that once the dataset gets very large, you need to archive old data to keep the speed up. Spreadsheets are much simpler and are great at crunching numbers and graphical representation but, it leaves a lot to be desired for data manipulation, complex queries, and reports. You are absolutely correct on which application is best - it just depends on what you want/need out of it.
