When choosing to copy columns to multiple gradebooks, in the step where you can choose the target location in destination grade book (first drop down option-Target Position, second drop : Placement), it would be really useful to bulk set a target position and placement, where the gradebooks all share the same structure.
We are going to be offering options via Curriculum Manager next year which will allow users to template and bulk build Gradebooks. We are also working on creating an External Data area which can be added to the Gradebook Template via CM