Data Card Worksheet

So, what is a data card? A data card is simply a way to organize all pertinent information by its individual category. Although I, have both a Microsoft worksheet document with my data on it, I also keep my; load data, rifle data, inventory, best price list and cartridge usage on 3x5 reusable cards. Gunsmith’s and had-loaders can purchase a pack of 50-100 index cards from Dollar Tree. After organizing the information by individual category on the card, they can get it laminated.
A fine point dry erase pen should be used on the laminated card. When the information on the card changes, the user should use denatured alcohol to wipe off the old information. Reusable data cards should be alphabetically organized for simplicity of usage. The benefits of my cartridge data cards are; ease of tracking the number of times I have; fired, cleaned, re-sized, inspected and loaded a group of
cartridges. Tracking cartridge usage is important to avoid cracks, dents, failure to feed and avoid weapon mishaps on the range.
A Gunsmith needs to keep track of accomplished daily tasks and this may be accomplished by using a reusable check off system.
It’s important to keep a good routine going to ensure goals are met. Reusable data cards can provide immediate access to important information needed without carrying around a notepad and it is able to be improved upon. For my inventory reusable data card, it shows me what is on hand and is categorized. I, have a data card that shows me the price of items and how it fluctuates month to month.
This way I, will always have the cheapest price available for all my items. My data cards contain a list of; powder, bullets and cleaning supplies prices from the top three companies. My reusable target data card is categorized by; projectile type, projectile grains, powder type, powder grains, case length and Minute of Angle achieved in three shot groups. The number 1 is for 100 yards, 2 is for 200 yards and 3 is for 300 yards with a line for Minute of Angle (M.O.A) measured. I have a non-reusable card that lists powder rating for my rifle based on 168 and 175 grain
projectiles.
It’s important to have a reusable data card to keep track of other shooters results with their hand-loads to avoid wasting funds and finding a great load faster. On the back of the card, the shooter may include a small amount of feedback, rating; recoil, usage, popularity and grouping size. Another use for the reusable data card can be; local range hours and even gunsmith locations. If Gunsmithing is your full-time job from home, you can use reusable data cards with the client’s data on it just in case your computer fails.
In conclusion; the simple take away from this is to, keep your reusable data cards up-to-date and with all pertinent information on it to avoid extra work. For the range have your external ballistics range calculations for your; scope, rifle and ammo out to the yardage that you need. Some people like myself refer to this as Data on Previous Engagements (D.O.P.E) cards.