Hawk
Well-Known Member
I do the same thing, bit scan the index card in a pdf format after writing it down.
Belt and suspenders guy!
Spiral notebook or computer program?
- Thread starter Foo
- Start date
Belt and suspenders guy!
Wow...
I am so far behind in any type of record keeping. Load data is generally on the box that the cartridges are in, and duplicated if it works out.
The only thing I have records of, on the computer, is an Excel file of moulds, sizing dies, and top punches, so that I don't get too many duplicates.
I have pictures of all of my firearms and their serial numbers, on my phone and a thumb drive.
Not too organized here...
I am so far behind in any type of record keeping. Load data is generally on the box that the cartridges are in, and duplicated if it works out.
The only thing I have records of, on the computer, is an Excel file of moulds, sizing dies, and top punches, so that I don't get too many duplicates.
I have pictures of all of my firearms and their serial numbers, on my phone and a thumb drive.
Not too organized here...
hporter
Active Member
These are great notebooks.
We used them back when I worked for the Army Corps of Engineers. And I have been using them for keeping my swimming pool chemical analysis for years. It is great to be able to accidentally drip water on the pages knowing that no damage was done.
And your reference reminded me that I got a new one for Christmas that I put in my range box for field notes. Thank you for the reminder.
Rick H
Well-Known Member
I used EXCEL to print out blank load data sheets and keep them in a 3 ring notebook. Pertinent load data and notes for each load kept by hand on the computer generated sheets. Dividers used to separate calibers and notable targets are treated to the three hole punch and filed with the loads.
I also use Libre Office. It is free, it reads MSOffice files and is powerful. It works in Linux and Windows. I don't think MSOffice will read Libre files though. I don't think they care. So, I think we have cleared up the notebook or computer question, about six of one and half dozen of the other. Now what gun inventory/reload data programs have you used? I have read about a couple but just started looking. I have never heard of the Rite in the rain notebooks, will have to google them. Thanks for all the great replies. TTYL
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
"Rite in the Rain" is company that continues to use the technology developed in WW2 for the Corp of Engineers. It is a specially prepared paper that is water proof and holds both graphite (pencil) and ink very well.
I was introduced to them as a Combat Engineer when laying out and recording mine fields in Viet Nam, not some place where everything wasn't wet. Forty years later while working as an environmental chemist, they were very useful because it rains a lot in the Pacific Northwest working on chemical spills and drug labs.
They are not cheap, but search their website and you can get a lot of pages for a reasonable price. They are practically indestructible from weather.
I was introduced to them as a Combat Engineer when laying out and recording mine fields in Viet Nam, not some place where everything wasn't wet. Forty years later while working as an environmental chemist, they were very useful because it rains a lot in the Pacific Northwest working on chemical spills and drug labs.
They are not cheap, but search their website and you can get a lot of pages for a reasonable price. They are practically indestructible from weather.
Both. In 1964, shortly after starting to cast and reload I began keeping notes in a spiral notebook. In the mid 1980s I transferred the data to a spreadsheet. Print the data occasionally and keep in a 3 ring binder near my loading bench. Do monthly backups of all spreadsheets to preclude data loss. Backup is easy and help keep Murphy at bay. Old Signal Corps saying: Keep repeated, reiterated and redundant backups.
With my reload history in spreadsheet form I can go back and look at trends. It also helps to have the printouts near my bench.
With my reload history in spreadsheet form I can go back and look at trends. It also helps to have the printouts near my bench.
KeithB
Resident Half Fast Machinist
Foo - Check the file type you're saving your files as. Libre Office uses ODF format for spreasdsheet files not XLS. It also uses a different file type for Word files. Save them as the proper file type and you shouldn't have any trouble opening them in MS Office.
hporter
Active Member
Of course paper copies are essential.
Having said that - I started my database 14 years ago. I have 606 unique load entries in it. A moment ago I exported just the load table to .csv format. It was 66kb, yes that's kilobytes.
I back my computers up religiously. I keep copies of my hard drive on portable USB hard drives in my gun safe.
I am just making the point that if you approach data integrity with a clear head, there are ways to mitigate hard drive crashes, lightning strikes and all the other fears of data loss.
I also print the load table off every few years or so to have a "hard" backup too.
I would never make an argument against paper based handling of your data. But there is a level of foreboding and doom in every thread that discusses electronic vs handwritten data archives. Perhaps not unwarranted, but maybe a bit excessive depending your level of computer literacy.
Having said that - I started my database 14 years ago. I have 606 unique load entries in it. A moment ago I exported just the load table to .csv format. It was 66kb, yes that's kilobytes.
I back my computers up religiously. I keep copies of my hard drive on portable USB hard drives in my gun safe.
I am just making the point that if you approach data integrity with a clear head, there are ways to mitigate hard drive crashes, lightning strikes and all the other fears of data loss.
I also print the load table off every few years or so to have a "hard" backup too.
I would never make an argument against paper based handling of your data. But there is a level of foreboding and doom in every thread that discusses electronic vs handwritten data archives. Perhaps not unwarranted, but maybe a bit excessive depending your level of computer literacy.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
Back when I was better at keeping records, the data when into paper logbooks. I was a little late to the computer thing and never really used computers for record keeping.
But these days the load goes directly on the box for most rifle rounds.
The handgun stuff was sorted out years ago and those standard loads are committed to paper.
But these days the load goes directly on the box for most rifle rounds.
The handgun stuff was sorted out years ago and those standard loads are committed to paper.
Cadillac Jeff
Well-Known Member
I also am very impressed by some of you guy's ! Not surprised though.
I do keep some target's & scribble a little info on it, & mostly just use book loads anyway.
I do put a stick-on label with a load on ever box of loaded ammo .
Jeff
I do keep some target's & scribble a little info on it, & mostly just use book loads anyway.
I do put a stick-on label with a load on ever box of loaded ammo .
Jeff
JonB
Halcyon member
I have another electronic horror story of keeping notes.
About 20 years ago, I was planning on a career change...Wine Sales.
So I started taking wine tasting notes at all the events I went to, besides all the wines I tasted at non-events, LOL.
Anyway, I put all those notes on a Palm Pilot, When it died, I lost all my notes and had to start over.
Anyone remember the Palm Pilot?
albertosavoia.medium.com
About 20 years ago, I was planning on a career change...Wine Sales.
So I started taking wine tasting notes at all the events I went to, besides all the wines I tasted at non-events, LOL.
Anyway, I put all those notes on a Palm Pilot, When it died, I lost all my notes and had to start over.
Anyone remember the Palm Pilot?
The Palm Pilot Story
On this day (March 2nd) in 2000, Palm Inc. went public. The stock more than doubled on its first day, valuing the company more than $50B…
albertosavoia.medium.com