RCBS Lockout Die

Don't own a Dillon and have never used a Dillon with the Dillon lockout die but I use the RCBS one in my LNL.
Quite happy with it money well spent IMO.
Price seems to vary quite a bit on the RCBS die,shop around if you decide to go with it over the Dillon.

I'm extremely happy with the RCBS lockout die. The instructions are a little obtuse, but there's really only one adjustment possible, and after a few tries you can reset it for a different load in about a minute. It has only saved me one time, but that was enough.

I am a true believer in the Lockout Die. Only limit is that it only works with straight walled cartridges. Check out the Ultimate Reloader website, they have a video showing the "bench method" of adjusting the die. They also show one mounted on a Dillon 650.

The Lockout Die locks up the press if the powder charge is either missing, or doubled. That way, there's no doubt that something is amiss. The other powder check dies rely on your eye to catch a load that isn't there, or doubled, and unless you're looking at it, the problem can be missed. Some dies have an audible alarm that sounds, but I much prefer the Lockout Die.

Hope this helps.

Fred

I like my RCBS lockout die, but I don’t know how it compares to the Dillon powder check as far as bandwidth goes. My RCBS has about a 3 gr spread from low lockout to high lockout with W231. That is, when it is set to lock out at 5.0 gr or more of W231, it will also lockout at 2.0 gr or less. Anywhere in between, it won’t lockout, but there is an audible and tangible hitch near both ends of its range. Like Fred said, it's basically for catching double or missed charges.

I love my RCBS lockout die for my XL650. I would never reload without one any more. I have one setup for every pistol caliber that I load.

Never have used the Dillon alarm-type warning die, but I am sure they work well. I love that the press locks up with the RCBS die. Really a GREAT product.

MoreIsLess said:

Do you have to have separate inserts/components for each caliber. The Dillon one has 3 rods that you insert depending on the caliber.

Click to expand...

Yes, you have 2 plastic caps that fit on the end of the actuator rod that you change out for different caliber ranges. I use the small one for 9mm and the large one for .45 ACP. Here are the instructions.
http://rcbs.com/RCBS/media/RCBSMedia/PDFs/Instructions/English (EN)/LockOutDie_Instructions.pdf

MoreIsLess said:

Do you have to have separate inserts/components for each caliber. The Dillon one has 3 rods that you insert depending on the caliber.

Click to expand...

higgite said:

Yes, you have 2 plastic caps that fit on the end of the actuator rod that you change out for different caliber ranges. I use the small one for 9mm and the large one for .45 ACP. Here are the instructions.
http://rcbs.com/RCBS/media/RCBSMedia/PDFs/Instructions/English (EN)/LockOutDie_Instructions.pdf

Click to expand...

Yep @higgite got it right. I have the small cap for the 9mm, and the large cap for the .45 as @higgite says, and I can't remember off the top of my head what I did with my .40, but it takes approximately 3 seconds to change the cap. I have got pretty good at adjusting the die. As someone else mentioned already in this thread, I do the main adjustments on the bench (using a case filled to with the proper powder weight), and then do the fine adjustment with it on the press.

Someone asked me once how accurate it is, and if it will detect small powder variations, such as 0.1 grains. I don't think it will detect levels that low, but it will tell you if it is not close to the proper level. As far as detecting a double charge or a squib, no problem of course, but it will also lock up if the charge is not close to where it is supposed to be.

As I mentioned before, I am sure the Dillon alarm die is great as well, but I have no desire to even try one now that I have used the RCBS lockout die. I am hooked for sure!

I think you will be happy with it I like mine.
Of course it depends on how dense the powder is and the case dia but with WSF in 9mm mine will lock if I make the charge .3 lighter or heavier than I have it set for.
+.2 (which would probably not be detected)could be to much on a MAX load so while not perfect it does let you know something is wrong if your off far enough.
Doubles and no charge for sure.

http://ultimatereloader.com/2010/09/19/rcbs-lock-out-die-part-i-theory-of-operation/

http://ultimatereloader.com/2010/09/21/rcbs-lock-out-die-part-ii-setup-and-maintenance/

Please let us know how you like it.

Mine will lock up if there is some old range crud or tumbling media stuck in the case. Well worth the cost.

I use the Dillon ones, they can be set to detect pretty small variations.

This is an example of one on one of may automated machines, I have eliminated the audible alarm and it is wired in directly but the operating mechanism is the same.