I'm doing both. I want to collect enough data to build range cards, then after use the data to validate my range cards. Plus keep a log of my shooting, data on the rifles, etc....
OK. Good.
Just so we are on the same page, I generally think of DOPE books as a way to improve your shooting, especially your first round hits and wind reading, as opposed to using your DOPE to make a range card. Your DOPE certainly can and should be referenced to correct your range card, but that is usually a correction entered from the reverse direction.
You can easily get the range cards with a chrono and a good ballistic app. There are a ton of apps out there, and I really like BallisticsARC and Applied Ballistics. The AP app was damn close to dead-on for my .308 out to 600 yds.
The good news is that the apps and ballistic data are really good these days. If you are using quality ammo, then the apps should be nearly spot on. If you have the range, you can back-load the data to correct for your actual rifle.
You can get as OCD as you want with this stuff, because the options are out there. For the "all in" approach, read the books by Bryan Litz. https://www.amazon.com/Bryan-Litz/e/B00J216MMI%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share