which powder checker die ?

R

rebs

New member
I seen RCBS has two powder dies, one with just a rod that sticks up and another that locks up the press. Which one do you guys recommend ?
 
I have the one Hornady has which is the powder cop with the rod and o ring which is about the same as the one RCBS has. It works ok but you have to watch it unlike the lockup die which will lockup the press.
I've been told that when the lockup works it works well. I am going to get one as watching the rod gets to be a pain sometimes.
 
I use a "powder check" die I made myself from parts laying around my reloading bench. Crude but it works fine-all it does it verify there's enough powder to not "squib". It doesn't take long to develop the habit of looking at the plunger every time you put another case on the shell holder.
 
Which one do you guys recommend ?
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That would depend on the type of press you are using. For a progressive press you want the one that locks the press. I use the other type since I run a Classic Turret press.

Good luck on your choice and stay safe.
Jim

 
I have the RCBS lock out die for straight wall cases, I have the Hornady and RCBS powder checker die for bottle neck cases.

I will not load on a progressive press without one or the other.

F. Guffey
 
I use the powder cop 9mm die that locks up the progressive. Unfortunately, they don't have this die in 223. For 223 I use the standard Dillon powder check die that beeps. They have caught squibs. I always use them.

The down side is that I now combine crimping and seating in one die, as the powder cop takes up one extra space (bullet drop occupies last free spot).
 
Thank you for the replies. I just ordered the lock out die for hand gun and the powder cop for rifle.
 
Sorry to go slightly off topic....

Can somebody tell me how the lock out die works?

Also, I use the powder cop and like it. Not sure how much value it is. On a 6.9 gr charge in 45 auto, I think I'm comfortable sayin it keeps me within +/-0.4 gr....which is a lot!

It catches when 700x throws a 5.3 or a 2.2 on a 4.0 nominal charge.
 
I installed the rcbs lock out die nd will say it works great. You don't have to keep looking at it and it will definately lock up the press with a low or high powder level. It came with two white nylon tips a large and a small. I am going to try the bare rod with no tip and see if it will work with 223 cases.
 
Has anyone tried using the lock out die for rifle cases ? I am going to see if the rod fits in a 223 without the white caps on it. Right now I am using the Hornady powder cop for 223 cases.
 
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