Reloading Journals Should Neatly Contain Crucial Data!

Keeping an accurate record of your handloading activities seems like a no-brainer, right? Unfortunately, all too many shooters neglect to write down the details that matter most.

Handloading records should be an addition to your typical rifle records. These should include how many rounds have been fired, accuracy results with various types of ammo and so forth.

Handloading notes should be more extensive. Equipment-specific notes should detail the rifle, cartridge, barrel types and twist rate. Component notes must include type of cartridge cases and number of firings on those cases, and types of primers, powders and projectiles used.

Operation-oriented notes should address case trim dates, neck sizing versus full-length sizing, powder charge weights, bullet seating depth—plus details on whether a crimp was applied and the results of any ladder tests. And naturally you’ll want to include accuracy and velocity data.

Keep It Thorough, but Simple

Sound overwhelming? It’s really not. Here’s how recording crucial info can be kept simple. For starters, I use a one-page chart to jot down all pertinent handload data. At the top I note the specific rifle, along with relevant info such as the cartridge, barrel length and rifling twist rate. Those are one-time entries. If you use a specific reloading die set for that rifle, note that as well.

My data sheets are set up with columns for all the most important info. In the component columns I record date loaded, number of rounds created, powder type and charge weight, cartridge case type, primer type, bullet type and seating depth.

You can create your own record sheets or use the stickers or cards supplied with many reloading die sets and bullet boxes. You can use a normal journal or a notebook of graph paper. Better yet, shop online and buy a reloading logbook that’s laid out in a way that suits your needs.

You can also use a good reloading app such as RCBS’s to record your activities. These have the added advantage of allowing you to tag records with photos of ammo loaded, groups fired and so forth. I do use these but still keep paper-record backups.

Secondary Notes

As secondary notes in several categories, I also record whether cases were trimmed recently, and how many firing cycles they’ve been through since trimming.

I organize my notes chronologically as they pertain to the loading process; i.e. case conditions before powder weight and charge, bullet type and seating depth and any crimping process.

For super-accurate rifles, I jot down refined notes such as whether the cases were neck sized versus full-length sized. I used to take notes if I felt cases were developing slightly loose primer pockets after a number of firings, but these days, I err on the safe side and discard all cases that develop loose pockets.

In the powder charge column, I add a secondary note if the charge is significantly compressed. This can have bearing on how much higher you can pursue maximum velocity because there’s little room left in the case for increasing the charge. It also can have an effect on the bullet seating process, particularly when using soft-cored, thin-jacketed bullets that can distort when crushed between a stack of gunpowder and a bullet seating stem.

Seating Depth

Second in importance only to powder type and charge weight records are your notes on bullet seating depth. I always measure maximum potential overall cartridge length in my rifle’s chamber when starting work with a new projectile.

With maximum overall length deciphered, you can then make educated estimates on potentially good seating depths. Whether the projectile you’re working with typically likes to jump 0.050 inch to the rifling leade or prefers to lightly engrave on the rifling, you have a baseline to work with.

You may also find that the max overall length your chamber allows is too long to fit in your magazine. Or you may discover that the base of the bullet barely engages the mouth of the case. In such situations, you’ll need to seat deeper for practical purposes, but at least you’ll have a grasp on how far your bullet has to jump until it engages the rifling.

If you crimp your handloads, be sure to record that. A crimp can increase consistency in some cartridges, but applied incorrectly it can also cause pressure spikes or accuracy anomolies. So if you crimp, record that.

Finite Details

Here’s the fun, and sometimes frustrating, part. After test-firing your handloads, return to your notes and add chronographed velocity, extreme spread and standard deviation. Add comments on any pressure signs you see. And of course record accuracy results and any pertinent observations on accuracy potential—crimped loads versus non-crimped, for instance.

Working up a good handload can be quick and easy, or it can be a drawn-out process. It depends on the individual taste of your rifle, and the characteristics of the components you choose. Keeping good notes makes a crucial difference when charting what works and what doesn’t—and is particularly vital for those times when you return to a rifle and load you haven’t worked with for a while.

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