Well, It is winter time. Deer, Elk and Bear Season is over, dont get the time I would like to go out and call in coyotes, and varmint season ( ground squirrels) is a long ways off right now.

Since a lot of people enjoyed the old Blue Dot load data, I have decided to work on some more info using some other powders also that give reduced recoil without suffering accuracy problems. Right now I am working with IMR's SR 4759. Right now in a 243 and 270 Winchester.

The way I did the BLue Dot data,, where I load and chronograph from light usable loads up to max velocity for that powder, I was looking at doing the same once again with other powders.

SO.... I need some input from some of you gentlemen on what would be more useful.

1. A Booklet form, listing a caliber, Say 243, and then each major bullet weight, starting out with say 1800 fps or so, and going up to the max pressure for that powder. But then after say doing that with Blue Dot, then the same with SR 4759, Then IMR 4198, then say RL 7, H 322, H 335, W 748 etc.

Each chaper on just one powder, and load data with all bullet weights.

or

2. Pick a powder and then do a booklet with different calibers and each major bullet weight. Eg; Blue Dot, with 223, 22/250, 243, 6mm Rem, etc.

This is a project I am looking forward to doing, so the input you guys give would be the basis of what format I put it all together in.

Thanks in advance for all responses.

Cheers and Happy New Year
seafire

It is another season I did not deer, elk, or bear hunt, and here I am, stuck in a hotel room in Albaquerque, without even a finger nail clipper for a weapon:0

I have ~50 load books, and it seems to me the most useful is the Sierra format: one page is one caliber is one bullet weight, and compares in collum and rows the powder, charge, and velocity.

The Midway "Load Map" booklets on a single caliper were well written and contain a huge amount of pressure inforamtion, and not to be confused with the "Loadbook USA" series of single caliber booklets that just compiles powder manufaturer's published data.


What does it all mean?
Load books seem to be a way to choose a powder and starting charge [having already chosen a caliber and bullet weight]. Getting enough information on one page for a decision is the key.

I like the #1 format, all loads listed in one book, a chapter for each powder.

Right now I find the Excel and Access electronic formats to be the best. I have been putting data in from different sources into my own spreadsheets. This enables me to sort and arrange the data as I need it at the time.

Right now, I find myself looking at the data sorted by cartridge, then powder. I then review the charge and velocity and energy numbers. I tend to load one cartridge, same powder, multiple bullet weights.

BUT
When I was starting out, I looked at the cartridge in question, bullet weight, and then velocity. I then proceeded to work up one cartridge.

Then I started loading multiple cartridges so I needed to sort the data by powder so I could buy a couple different powders that worked across multiple cartridges.


I wish I could get all the load data for all the different cartridges and companies electronically. If you go this route please keep the Max and Min loads in different columns.

ddunn: Sounds like you have a good idea there.

I like ddunn's suggestion as well!