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Hello all,

Was just wondering how/if people are recording handloads? Just thought to myself that as a target shooter and therefore using non-recorded bullets, that my certificates aren't going to show any purchases of ammo, likely for the forseeable future.

I've rang the FLD and they suggested getting the RFD to record the sale of the bullets on my FAC, but I pointed out that I buy mine online and therefore the RFD/shop never sees my certificate. I suggested I do the same with primers and they seemed happy with that, but now I'm thinking if I record say the purchase of 2000 primers, are they going to presume (and lets face it, its a distinct possibility) that I'm boshing out 2000rd batches of ammo, when I've got a 600rd limit??

They also suggested keeping a log of bullet/powder/primer purchases which could be used as 'evidence' come renewal time that I've been using the guns I'm reloading for.

So those who solely reload their own, what do you do, if anything?

Come renewal time wouldn't showing your reloading equipment and supplies of consumables (ie bullets, powder etc etc) suffice?.

I keep a log of every single round shot through my rifles, left hand side is what is loaded including full load details and date, right hand side is rounds iyt including date and location with running totals on either side so I can immediately see how many rounds are left in the cabinet. This is enough to satisfy both Lincolnshire and Beds and Herts when I was down there.

I have similar for overland however expanding missiles are recorded on my FAC.

As far as I'm aware there's no requirement to record this, although keeping a personal log might work in your favour if you wanted to increase your storage/hold quantity.

I keep a record of how many rounds are fired through each of my firearms, mostly so that I can track on how often I need to buy additional supplies and at what quantity.

Mine is for details of load development/last load and round count. We have details of every single round fired since I have owned centre fire rifles however I do record rimfire as well these days.

As all my current CF rifles are obsolescent or obsolete chamberings, I use the club attendances as evidence that I'm reloading for and shooting my rifles - but they have never asked.

However, should they comment on the fact that I haven't shot my 22lr rifles in a while, my reply will be that they've had my FAC for so long that I've run out of ammo!

The range you shoot at should log your visit and the serial of the rifle you are using. Whether this is available to you (or the Police) as evidence is another matter!
I keep a record of when I shoot my full bores and how many rounds I've shot as I reload as well. If you have any ammunition logged on your ticket that disappears when you send in for a variation.
In the case of my club, if there is an issue the FAO just rings up the Secretary and ask's him if chummy has been using his .303's regularly. Secretary says yes if has and no if he hasn't. Job jobbed.

I do nothing at present. But i can show paypal records to shellhouse. Or payments to black rifle. Dodgy rog etc. If they didn't accept my press. Dies or brass as evidence. But never been asked to so far

I record my hand loads exclusively for my own development use in a simple Excel document - with small notes for comparison of performance and adjustments I made or might make in future. I log the prices and places I bought components - purely for my own reference.
Over the 22 years I've been reloading I've never been asked for evidence to support good reason for firearm ownership via the amount of rounds fired. Come renewal time my firearms usage has always been evidenced by my range attendance which lists firearms used.

Given the inordinate length of time the police take to carry out FAC grants, renewals, and variations the last thing they need to bog them down still further is worrying about reloads made and shot. The last thing we need is yet more bureaucratic nonsense - it's not to be encouraged in my view.

snayperskaya wrote:Come renewal time wouldn't showing your reloading equipment and supplies of consumables (ie bullets, powder etc etc) suffice?.

Last renewal was over the phone so that wouldn't really help!

WelshShooter wrote:As far as I'm aware there's no requirement to record this, although keeping a personal log might work in your favour if you wanted to increase your storage/hold quantity.

I keep a record of how many rounds are fired through each of my firearms, mostly so that I can track on how often I need to buy additional supplies and at what quantity.

Technically there isn't the requirement but no ammo bought in their mind may mean the guns aren't being used and therefore you no longer have good reason to possess them.

I think i'll be keeping a record of purchases from now on. May see if I can dig out my previous few now. Bought them from CDSG and they have a pretty good system.

Rockhopper wrote:The range you shoot at should log your visit and the serial of the rifle you are using. Whether this is available to you (or the Police) as evidence is another matter!
I keep a record of when I shoot my full bores and how many rounds I've shot as I reload as well. If you have any ammunition logged on your ticket that disappears when you send in for a variation.
In the case of my club, if there is an issue the FAO just rings up the Secretary and ask's him if chummy has been using his .303's regularly. Secretary says yes if has and no if he hasn't. Job jobbed.

If it really was coming down to them claiming I wasn't using my guns I could always rely on the records of me attending clubs, but I'd rather take the easy route and make things as quick and efficient as possible.

Was just looking to see how others do it (or not). Thanks for the replies

Dark Skies wrote:I record my hand loads exclusively for my own development use in a simple Excel document - with small notes for comparison of performance and adjustments I made or might make in future. I log the prices and places I bought components - purely for my own reference.
Over the 22 years I've been reloading I've never been asked for evidence to support good reason for firearm ownership via the amount of rounds fired. Come renewal time my firearms usage has always been evidenced by my range attendance which lists firearms used.

Given the inordinate length of time the police take to carry out FAC grants, renewals, and variations the last thing they need to bog them down still further is worrying about reloads made and shot. The last thing we need is yet more bureaucratic nonsense - it's not to be encouraged in my view.

Its exactly the purpose of reducing red tape/bureacracy I was looking to do. If there's no record of ammo purchases on your cert the FLD then needs to contact clubs about attendance etc. Having a log/recipts to just include with the renewal application would bypass that.