Help with Unique IDs - Find and remove duplicates and replace

[flyfishermanmike]

I have very basic user Excel knowledge. I have a spreadsheet where I keep track of reloading data. Each load I enter gets a unique load number that is calculated automatically with a formula, based on the caliber name and a incrementally increasing number. As of now, every load I enter gets a number, even if it's been repeated before. Popular loads that I repeat often are all the same except for the date and numbers of rounds made but currently will have different load numbers. Is there a way to skips these repeated loads and assign it the previous load number or not assign a load number at all, with a formula instead of manually?

I know this is asking for a great deal but I'd greatly appreciate any help! I'm certainly open to suggestions if this isn't even the best way to go about this.

Sample:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zkj5aeg0np...mple.xlsm?dl=0

Here's what I've tried so far:

In column Q2, combine all the criteria.
=C17&E17&F17&G17&H17&L17&M17&N17&P17

In column R2 look for duplicates.
=IF(COUNTIF($Q$2:$Q17, $Q17)>1, "Duplicate", "")

D2 is the Load # column.
=IF(R17="Duplicate","",(TEXT(C17,0)&"-"&TEXT(COUNTIF($C$2:C17,C17),"000")))

This will skip the duplicate loads and not give them a load # leaving the cell blank. I'd love to find and match what that load # should be and insert it. Also, when the sequential numbering resumes it acts as if it's counted the duplicate row. For instance D2 might look like:

9mm-001
9mm-002
(Skipped for duplicate and left blank, but would like it to find, match and insert the duplicate load #)
9mm-004 (I'd like to to be 9mm-003)

Thanks!

^^ike

 

[flyfishermanmike]

Any ideas?

 

[flyfishermanmike]

Updated macro free link:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v5y1ufxjiosmnap/My Reloading Data - Sample.xlsx?dl=0