I had an article published recently on two data books that I bought, looking for something that wasn't as complex and expensive as a traditional data book but still provided a structured format for data collection. I picked up a Rite In The Rain logbook and a Storm Tactical pocket rimfire data book. The RITR logbook was probably my favorite one between the two so I'll expound on it a little more here than the ST one. I just felt like the Storm Tactical pocket data book was formatted a little funny, but I think that's because it was built around NRL22 so some of the target types and what not are specific to their match format. That being said, it's not hard to adapt it to other target types and shooting because at the end of the day it's just diamonds, circles, and silhouetts
The DOPE (Data On Previous Engagements) logbook is a new offering from Rite In The Rain but they are no strangers to the databook game. For decades they’ve provided the waterproof paper that went into many of the commercial data books out on the market. This is their first in house data book though and I think they’ve done a great job with it. The Rite In The Rain logbook is a simple 4” X 6” notepad with a layout that’s useful and intuitive for collecting ballistic data. The thick plastic front and back covers are typical for RITR products but have reference information printed on the inside that pertains to wind, range estimation, and conversions. Along the edges of the covers are rulers for measuring group sizes in MOA and Mil at both 100 yards and 100 meters, they are NOT inch and cm rulers. On the first couple of pages there are four tables with 52 rows in total to help you log your round counts. Past that, all of the other pages are “logbook” pages with an alternating array of shot data pages and blank “Universal” pattern sheets.
Inside the covers is useful information for wind and range estimation. The “rulers” are for measuring group sizes.
I actually bought two logbooks, with one of them being destined for my Ruger 10/22 that I use for precision rimfire matches, which happened to show up just in time for the rimfire finale. My first excursion with the new dope book was to the range to check my zero and confirm my drops to 300 yards ahead of the match. The sheets for recording shot data had the obligatory boxes for entering the date, location, and atmospheric info, which took up about a quarter of the page. The rest had four tables, each one with a box to write in the range, elevation, and wind hold, as well as some short notes. The backside of each shot data page was RITR’s “Universal” pattern, which has ¼” spaced solid horizontal lines with dashed vertical lines spaced ¼” to make a sort of grid system. What I liked about this layout was that it allowed me to easily draw in my own targets, enter any additional notes that I wanted, and leave out the info I didn’t need.
This page is a perfect example of “everything you need, nothing you don’t.”
At the range the logbook was very useful but it was also handy at the match itself to help log and track data from individual stages for review later. It helped me note some trends on the longer-range stages, record actual field dope at various ranges, and how certain shooting positions worked out for me. I had completely filled out the front and back of a sheet with little effort and based on the information I gathered I was able to create an accurate data chart from 50 to 318 yards.
The Universal grid pattern also made it really easy to draw in targets and plot hits.
Size comparison next to TAB Gear small rear bag.
The very general nature of the RITR DOPE book makes it a great all around logbook for all sorts of rifles that may not necessarily need a full on modular data book. I'm using this one for my 10/22 and I'll probably use the other one for my Bergara HMR. The price on these aren't too bad either at $9.
www.gunsamerica.com
The DOPE (Data On Previous Engagements) logbook is a new offering from Rite In The Rain but they are no strangers to the databook game. For decades they’ve provided the waterproof paper that went into many of the commercial data books out on the market. This is their first in house data book though and I think they’ve done a great job with it. The Rite In The Rain logbook is a simple 4” X 6” notepad with a layout that’s useful and intuitive for collecting ballistic data. The thick plastic front and back covers are typical for RITR products but have reference information printed on the inside that pertains to wind, range estimation, and conversions. Along the edges of the covers are rulers for measuring group sizes in MOA and Mil at both 100 yards and 100 meters, they are NOT inch and cm rulers. On the first couple of pages there are four tables with 52 rows in total to help you log your round counts. Past that, all of the other pages are “logbook” pages with an alternating array of shot data pages and blank “Universal” pattern sheets.
I actually bought two logbooks, with one of them being destined for my Ruger 10/22 that I use for precision rimfire matches, which happened to show up just in time for the rimfire finale. My first excursion with the new dope book was to the range to check my zero and confirm my drops to 300 yards ahead of the match. The sheets for recording shot data had the obligatory boxes for entering the date, location, and atmospheric info, which took up about a quarter of the page. The rest had four tables, each one with a box to write in the range, elevation, and wind hold, as well as some short notes. The backside of each shot data page was RITR’s “Universal” pattern, which has ¼” spaced solid horizontal lines with dashed vertical lines spaced ¼” to make a sort of grid system. What I liked about this layout was that it allowed me to easily draw in my own targets, enter any additional notes that I wanted, and leave out the info I didn’t need.
This page is a perfect example of “everything you need, nothing you don’t.”
At the range the logbook was very useful but it was also handy at the match itself to help log and track data from individual stages for review later. It helped me note some trends on the longer-range stages, record actual field dope at various ranges, and how certain shooting positions worked out for me. I had completely filled out the front and back of a sheet with little effort and based on the information I gathered I was able to create an accurate data chart from 50 to 318 yards.
The Universal grid pattern also made it really easy to draw in targets and plot hits.
Size comparison next to TAB Gear small rear bag.
The very general nature of the RITR DOPE book makes it a great all around logbook for all sorts of rifles that may not necessarily need a full on modular data book. I'm using this one for my 10/22 and I'll probably use the other one for my Bergara HMR. The price on these aren't too bad either at $9.
A Tale Of Two Data Books
As there continues to be a steady progression of technology in long-range shooting, some things never really go out of style, like the rifle data book. I know a lot of people would consider them antiquated and unnecessary in today’s world of accurate ballistic solvers. However, there’s still a...
www.gunsamerica.com
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