Shooters Toolbox Documentation

This applications is an attempt at placing your shooting equipment, supplies, tools, and relevant data at your fingertips when you need it.

Shooters Toolbox will allow you to manage your firearms inventory, ammunition, archery equipment, reloading data and supplies, along with many more useful pieces of information in an easy to use database. This data is only ever stored on your device, there is no cloud, and while I do recommend making backups of your data and storing them elsewhere (on your computer, in the cloud, etc.) that is entirely up to you.

The following are the main help topics I could think of in order to make using the app easier. Please feel free to send me any notes, thoughts, questions, or remarks as you like! KnightravenDev@gmail.com

 

General App Usage

From the “Home” screen you will be able to identify a birds eye view of your firearms, ammunition, reloading supplies, reloading data, ranges, retailers, and memberships.
If your retailers, or memberships have web addresses entered in them, tapping on their icons from the “Home” page will launch your web browser and take you to their address for easy access. If you wish to view the details for those records. You will need to navigate through the menu to the appropriate section and locate the record you wish to view.

Tapping on a firearm icon (Pistol, Rifle, NFA, etc) Will take you to the inventory management page for your firearm collection. From this page, you will see a list of all items in the inventory, along with a key photo (more about key photos in the inventory management instructions), and basic information about the item. You can tap any of the records to open that record. You can also tap the “+” icon to add a new record, or tap the “Import” icon if you are adding a record that has been exported from another instance of “Shooters Toolbox” as long as it’s the same version of the app (Note, since fields in the records can change from version to version, the export / import functions will only work within the same versions of the app.) When importing records to the app, the files must be stored within the “ShootersToolbox” folder on your devices “InternalStorage”.

Double tapping on a reloading icon will cause the Reload data page to load, filtered to the reload data you had selected. If you wish to see other load data from this screen, use the combobox in the top left of the screen to select “<All>” or which ever caliber of reload data you wish to view. See more about reloading data in the “Reloading Data Management” help topic.

Basic Interface Walk Through

The interface tries to be as simple as possible.
“+” Icons will be for adding new records to the database,
Double tapping a record in a table will open the record to edit or review the details.
“Trash can” icons will delete a record from the database, this should return you to the last screen.
“Camera” icon. Tapping this icon will prompt the user to choose if they want to use the camera, or select a photo from the devices gallery.
“Calendar” icon is used to select a date for a record.
“Imoprt” (Door with an arrow pointing Right) This means that records can be imported, tapping this will allow you to browse for the import file (See the section on file handling for locations and details about these files).
“Gear” icon, this is on the firearms inventory item page. This icon is used to select sub routines and functions to perform on this record, things from creating a report about this record, to texting the record, emailing it, managing photos, etc.
In Shot logbook entries, there will be icons for selecting the range (uses the same icon as the main menu Range icon), selecting the firearm to use (Rifle icon), the trash can icon is used to delete the record (top right instance) or remove the firearm (from the firearm card, wich will remove all of it’s associated shot records as well.), the last icon for these records will be the Target icon, this is used to add a new shot record to the log entry.

Managing Reloading Data

In the Reloading Data screen, you will find all of the reloading recipes you have entered into the app. I cannot stress strongly enough how careful you must be while entering reloading data. Never ever use reloading data that you do not trust, or have gotten from a reliable safe source.
From the Reload Data screen, you will find all of your reload data, sorted by Caliber, then by powder manufacturer. You can select multiple Reloads by tapping them once which will highlight them. Once highlighted, you can select to export them to XML files, which can then be imported by other users using Shooters Toolbox (provided they are running the same version of the app you are). You can also export the reload data to an Excel worksheet which can be opened using MS Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice, StarOffice, or other Xlsx capable spreadsheet app. This is also the menu you would use to import the reload data if you had received it from another user with the same app (again, NEVER use reloading data you do not absolutely trust and know to be accurate and safe!). Finally you can also opt to delete records from this menu if you so wish.

Adding Reload Data

When you go to add new data to your catalog of reload data, you need to select what caliber you’re reloading for.
Sometimes we have load data that is only slightly different from another round. By making modifications to the record, then tapping the “+” icon in the top right of the screen, you will actually make a copy of the record with the new data. Tapping the “Disk” icon will save the record that is currently being modified, and of course the “Trash” icon will delete the record you have open. (Note, if you tp the save icon instead of the plus icon, it will overwrite the record, so please ensure you are using the appropriate icon for your intention.)
Powder management is semi intelligent, select a Manufacturer and the models will filter to what powders that mfg makes. Both of these fields can be entered by hand, or selected from the default data added in the database.
Once you enter your powder charge, the app will let you know roughly how many rounds you can reload per pound of powder based on that powder charge.
The data pane is used for tracking your velocity, energy, and CUP pressure. You can also add notes pertinent to the record, “subsonic cycles action”, “Hunting load”, “Personal defense loads”, etc.
Primer is like Powder, it will filter the types based on the data in the database, but you can enter all of your own information if so needed.
Bullet information will allow you to select the manufacturer, model, diameter, and weight for the bullet in this load.
The Brass section will track your shell plate required, seat depth, trim length, and over all length. You can hide many of the fields from this page using the “Settings” page if you don’t need to keep track of them.

Managing the Shot Logbook

From the “Shooters Logbook” page, you will see all of your log entries. Sorted by date and identified by the range the record was recorded at. If a record is not associated with a specific range, the range field will be empty. Either double tap an entry to open it, or tap the “+” icon to add a new entry.
From the management page, you will be able to select the range your record is being recorded at. If you have not entered a range record for this location you can tap the “+” icon by the range icon to add a new range for this location.
You can also record what the general conditions were that day while at the range, as well as the arrival and departure time from the range.
Next you will need to select which weapons are to be tracked and have data recorded for. If the weapon has not been added to the database yet, you can again tap the “+” icon by the rifle icon to add a new weapon to the inventory.
each weapon selected will have a range card added below. In this card it will show the basic information about the specific weapon, along with a combobox to select what the MOA adjustments for that weapon are. The Notes field below the MOA selection is specific to this range card entry, so this could be for site specific, or day specific information. The “Delete” icon will only delete this range card, and it’s recorded shot data. Tapping the “Add Shot” icon will load the Shot management page. Below the Notes field, you can select the reload you are shooting, or leave this field empty if you are not using a reload, and you can record the ammunition you are using in the Notes field. The general information about the reload will be shown on this screen, and if you select a reload that does not correlate to the weapon being fired, you will see an alert warning you of this, but that is all. You can also edit, or manage the reload data with the “Modify reload data” button. Below the reload information area, you will see a table of shots if there are any added. You can double tap any of these existing shots to view the details of that shot, or modify the record if you need to do so.
Adding a shot or reopening a shot will load the Individual shot record page. From this page you will be able to select the azimuth for the shot it’s self, along with the wind. This is recorded both in mils as well as Degrees.
Wind effect is calculated automatically, but can be overridden if your ammunition requires a different calculation for wind effect.
Target elevation is a relative field, meaning you can either use this to record the actual target elevation, it’s relative elevation or depression, and can be in any measurement you desire (You will have to remember what standard you go with on your own, or record that information in the notes field.)
Wind Speed is self explanatory and can be measured using an anemometer, weather app, or visual queue.
Barometer refers to the barometric pressure (some devices have a barometric meter built in, while this is not being used at this time, future versions may attempt to get the current pressure from this device.)
Distance again is self explanatory, get this with an LRF, MOA reference, guestimate, or other method.
Optic adjustments are only available if you have selected an MOA from the previous screen. This will calculate the Clicks to MOA for your optic.
Point of Impact tracking is again relative from center mass, or bulls eye. You can record the POI as MOA, inches, mm, but must be tracked as a decimal or whole number.
Observed can be checked if you did observe the round and observation method can be specified (You can also enter your own method other than those in the list).
Cold barrel can be important on tracking accuracy when it comes to long range shooting. Marking when a round was fired from a warm vs cold barrel can help you when it comes to needing to perform hold overs on shots.
Target score is simply available if you want to track or score your targets as you go.
Notes, again, this is shot specific notes, so if you felt a flinch, or if you had some other pertinent information about the particular shot, it can be recorded here.

Archery Page

At the request of a friend I was deployed with, I’ve added the archery page. This page will track Bows, much in the same way the firearms are tracked, and it will also track Arrows.
My friend makes his own arrows, so the arrows page is setup for people that want to manage intricate details about their arrows.
Fields can be shown / hidden as with other pages from the Settings page. The pages are set up similar to the firearms inventory management page. Tapping on the picture icon on the top right of the input page will present the photo options, either to take a picture, or select a photo from your devices gallery. Again similar to the firearms inventory, you can select a “Key” Photo to use as the image in the inventory page, and perform other similar actions on the pictures.

Accessories Inventory

If you own firearms, you own accessories, may they be cleaning kits, magazines, optics, grips, tools, etc.
This page allows you to add your various accessories, in order to manage what is in what condition, what needs replacing, what cost what, and where you got it. Also you can add, and manage photos for these devices, and view your inventory in an easy to read table.

Reloading Tools

When you reload lots of different calibers, you manage to collect lot’s of different tools. From dies, shell plates, shakers, powder handling, etc. Here is your one stop shop for what you have, what condition it’s in, where it came from, how much it cost, and any specific notes about it. Once again, you can even keep photos of the items. Perhaps you have a die set for your AR 5.56 rounds, but you also keep a second die adjusted for the head space in your Bolt gun chambered in 5.56. Now you can keep all your notes, and pictures of each to help keep them sorted and managed. The table categorizes all of the records by the types of items.

Ammunition Inventory

The Ammunition inventory page will automatically sort your ammo into the platform (Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun), Caliber, then list all of the individual record entries for that set. Double tapping on a record will open the record will allow you to modify the record (round count ostensibly). Adding a record will allow you to add more ammunition of a different type to your inventory. The minimum information for the records are Manufacturer, Chamber, Model, Condition, and Type. The Function field is for notation of if the ammo is for hunting, defense, subsonic, etc.

Reports

Sometimes we like to have a report of what we have. This page will be your best friend in this case.
You can output excel reports of your Firearm inventory, ammunition, reloading supplies, and reloading data.
The process for creating a report is simple.
Select the type of report you want to export by tapping the first button. Then tap “Begin”.
The report screen will show you all of the records you have in your inventory, you can either tap each record you want to export the output will be in the order you tapped the records in, or tap the “Select All” button for the section (Reloading supplies let’s you choose brass, powder, primers, and bullets separately). Once you are done selecting your records, simply tap “Create Report”.
Once the report has been completed it will be saved in the “ShootersToolbox/Reports” Folder on your device. (See files and locations help topic) If you have an associated app on your device that can view Excel worksheets the app can save the report and then open it for you in your chosen app.

Memberships

All of your favorite clubs, organizations, and contacts can get to be a big list sometimes. Here, you can add all of these clubs, organizations, and others in a simple interface. If you add a URL for their website, the button created on the “Home” page will take you to their site.

Retailers

Track all of your favorite retailers, and sources for gear in one spot. The “Inventory” page will show you their basic info, and a picture if you have taken one for them. The record can keep track of their basic info, including a simple tap button for what they specialize in. Again, if you found your dream store while out and about, you can just use the “Get address” button to grab your current location, and add it to the record as you enter it.

Wish List

We all have at least one, that one dream gun you can’t afford. But some of us have so many, we can’t even keep track of them all! Worry not! You can add your dream gun, and rate how desperately you need to add it to your collection. You can even track when you first discovered it, for those who want to add them to the collection in the same order they discovered them.

Reloading Supplies

Your reloading supplies page has four tabs along the top, they are Brass, Bullets, Powder, and Primers.
Brass and Bullets inventory pages categorizes the inventory by calibers. Powders inventory is Categorized by Manufacturer. Primers are categorized by primer type (Small Pistol, Small Pistol Mag, Large Pistol, Large Pistol Mag, etc.).
Tapping the “+” Icon in the top Right of the screen will add which ever item your have currently selected.

Adding Brass

Simply enter the Manufacturer, or select Range Brass if you are just policing range brass. Then enter the Caliber / Chamber, along with the quantity, condition, and shell plate if you like. Fields can be shown or hidden by using the Settings page.

Adding Bullets

Select the manufacturer, the Diameter, the weight (in gr), and the type. You can let the app auto complete the type and short types, or enter your own if you need to.

Adding Powders

Note, for the time adding powder in weight other than pounds is not calculating properly, you can track it in the database with other measurements, but the auto calculation counters do not recognize the different units. Sorry for any confusion.
Select the powder Manufacturer, then select the model or type from the list which will be filtered by the selected Manufacturer.

Adding Primers

Selecting a manufacturer will filter the list of models to choose from, as with the other record types, you can enter your own information into these fields, but I have added many of the most common ones by default.

Ranges

We all have our favorite spots to shoot, or special spots that we can zero at 500m. Sometimes these spots are private ranges, on our own land, or out in public lands. Sometimes you just want to go to the closest range you can.
Since our phones have GPSs within them, why not put that to good use! The range “Inventory” will attempt to use your GPS to identify your location, then tell you your distance from each of the ranges in your list.
Now, when you’re out at the range, and want to remember a spot, or be able to share it with others, you can just add it to Shooters Toolbox. With the simple press of a button, your phone will grab the coordinates, to where you’re at, and record it to your entry. At an indoor range in town? no problem! Tap “Get Address” and your GPS will attempt to grab the address you are at and put that into the range record. You can add photos of the range, but you can also tap the button “Open in maps” and if you have an associated app on your phone for maps, you can open up your range in Google Maps, or what have you.

Advanced Topics

Showing and Hiding Fields

Some of the data may not be required in your instance, there are many fields that can be shown or hidden from the bottom of the “Settings” page. There is a list of pages, and fields which can be shown or hidden by toggling the switches accordingly.

Showing and Hiding Pages

Some users will not require all of the functionality of the app. Some people may not have Archery gear, may not want to keep track of retailers, and so on. In this case there is a section in the “Settings” page where the user can choose what pages they do not require, which will then be hidden from the main menu and home page accordingly.

File Management

Android devices have filesystems very much line Linux/Unix computers (even MacOS which is based on BSD if I understand correctly). ShootersToolbox stores all of it’s files and looks for all of it’s files within it’s own directory structure. You will need to use a file browser app, Many devices come with such an app that allows simple file management. ShootersToolbox will store it’s exports, saved images, exports, and look for Import files all within it’s own directory. The path will technically be “/storrage/emulated/0/ShootersToolbox” it will appear as simply “ShootersToolbox” in your app (in nearly all cases). The app will create folders within this base folder when exporting or creating files in order to try to make them easier to find.

App Appearance

The appearance and style settings for ShootersToolbox are simple. From the “Settings” page, you can choose to use a light, or a dark theme, and you can choose from small, medium, and large for the main menu font sizes. The theme change will require the app to be closed and reopened, but the menu sizes will take effect immediately.

Creating a DB Backup

Making backups of your database.
To create a backup of your database, you will need to go to the “Settings” screen within the app. The third section from the top of the screen is your database controls. From here you can
1) Delete the database and rebuild the default database.
2) Delete all of the photos in the database.
3) Create a backup of the database.
4) Restore a database Warning, this is a destructive process and will OVERWRITE your existing data. Rest assured a merge database function is currently being worked on and will be deployed once it’s done.

When you make a backup of the database, it will be stored as a file named “ShootersTBX.db3” which will be stored on your phone or tablet. The file will be stored in the “InternalStorage” of your device, in the following path “/storage/emulated/0/ShootersToolbox/Shooterstbx.db3”. Most if not all file browsing apps will show an “InternalStorage” device where you will see the “ShootersToolbox” folder. All files, exports, photos, etc. will be stored in this folder. Your phone does not need to be rooted to access this folder, but you may need to enable access to it in your file browsing app.

Restoring from a DB Backup

Every once in a while we like to treat ourselves to a new phone, or want to add an app to another device. Since this app does not store data in the cloud, you will need to import your existing data into an instance of the app (Or you can just enter the data all over again if you like).
To restore a database on a device, you will more or less perform the reverse of the “Create DB Backup” instructions.
You will need to have a file browsing app installed on your device, and be able to browse to the “ShootersToolbox” folder on your device.
You will then need to copy your existing database you wish to import into this folder. Once the “ShootersTBX.db3” file is in the “ShootersToolbox” folder, you will need to launch ShootersToolbox. Browse to the Settings Page, and select the “Restore DB” button. A warning dialog will alert you to that this is a destructive process. The existing data in the app will be overwritten with the incoming database. An Merge Database function is in the works, but is not available yet, so make sure that you do not accidently overwrite your data with an older version of your database.
Once the database has been restored, the app will be closed, and you will need to manually launch it once again. Now your app should be running with the newly merged data.

2 Comments

  1. How does one reduce/remove ammo or reloading components?

    • Hello, I am so sorry I didn’t get back sooner. I have been distracted with other things going on.
      To remove a record of just about any type, all you need to do to remove a record is

    • open the record.
    • Tap the “waste paper bin” icon next to the save icon
    • Some times the records may not update immediately when you return to the previous screen, there should be a “Refresh” icon on any of the screens I have seen this happen before.

      I believe I was able to fix and clear that bug of it not updating, but I cannot be certain.

      Again, please accept my apology for not responding sooner!

      Regards,
      Jesse Knott