Powder Check Die??!!

[Mark_Mark]

I’m interesting, does anybody use it? I’m getting into Progressive and that was one of my worries. Before I would charge the cases in a tray then with visual inspect the case to have powder.

I seen the Double alpha Electronic die… bit it looks expensive.

Any suggestions?

 

[Bassfishing54]

I use them on my Dillon 650s. Way easier than looking in every case.

 

[SingleActionAndrew]

I use the Hornady on my 5 station blue press. It gives a visual of how high the powder is in the center of the case. It's part of the visual check list each time the ram goes up. Glad to have it.

 

[Slamfire]

A double check die seems like a great idea, but I don't have space on the top of my Dillion 550B progressive. I have had my Dillion since the 1980's, to date no double charges. I am however always worried and try to follow a procedure that will prevent a double charge. The greatest risk for a double charge comes from stoppages that occur due to periodic jams. Most of my jams are primer jams, or bullet canting in the seating die that ruins a case. Stopping to clear a jam, and then continuing, creates the highest probability of double charging a case, and someone with a progressive needs to think about always removing the case under the powder funnel and emptying it, before resuming operations.

My powder funnel throws a consistent charge so I am not worried about the throw weight changing by accident.

 

[mokin]

I agree with Slamfire. I've noticed very consistent powder throws from my Dillon provided I operate it smoothly and have the primers and bullets go in straight. Pulling the handle most of the way up, then lowering it to straighten something out can cause a double charge. When something goes wrong I visually inspect the cartridges on the press. All that being said, I have RCBS powder check dies on my tool heads.

I have not heard of Double Alpha. Those are considerably less expensive than Dillon. Any reviews out there?

 

[Roblee1675]

The Double Alpha works great, besides letting you know that you have a double charge it also lets you know if your case is undercharged

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I use Hornady's powder die that came with the control panel. It works really well and has saved me once or twice from a no charge. RCBS has one also that I've been told really works well. Dude Dog uses one.
They usually work in a .2-.3 gr window, depending on how much time I take setting it up.
I have the Hornady Powder Cop die but you have to purposely look at it every charge and I find it more distracting then good. The lock out dies just work in the backround and you don't have to watch them.

 

[NC9mm]

RCBS lock out die, great insurance tool. No batteries or visual warning.
Protects against no powder or double charges but does not show a slightly low or high charge.

 

[higgite]

I'll second the RCBS lockout die.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

The Hornady Lock out die doesn't have to be plugged in to work, It works the same as the RCBS. You only plug it in if you want an alarm, but you have to have the control panel for noise and lights.
You can't go wrong with Hornady or RCBS, either one.

 

[jmorris]

I use them every time I can. Dillon’s are the ones I use.

This one I wired into it as an input to my PLC but this video shows how sensitive they can be.



How it works on that machine.



On everything else, I generally follow this procedure, in testing both it and the low primer alarm before I start loading.

 

[Nasty Canasta]

I have a digital color inspection camera mounted on my progressive so I can tell with a quick glance if there's powder in the case & judge if the amount is correct. It's good multitasker tool to have around & I've used it as a borescope (9mm & up) as well as in the garage. Mounted it after I experienced my first, and so far only squib-no issues since.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I agree with Slamfire. I've noticed very consistent powder throws from my Dillon provided I operate it smoothly and have the primers and bullets go in straight. Pulling the handle most of the way up, then lowering it to straighten something out can cause a double charge. When something goes wrong I visually inspect the cartridges on the press. All that being said, I have RCBS powder check dies on my tool heads.

I have not heard of Double Alpha. Those are considerably less expensive than Dillon. Any reviews out there?

I been looking at videos on the Double Alpha Magnet powder check and it looks real cool. Iike audio warning incase my eyes are not working good. Look like the are around the $65 price. Not Bad

https://www.doublealpha.biz/us/daa-magnetic-powder-check?page=4

 

[Mark_Mark]

The Hornady Lock out die doesn't have to be plugged in to work, It works the same as the RCBS. You only plug it in if you want an alarm, but you have to have the control panel for noise and lights.
You can't go wrong with Hornady or RCBS, either one.

so it physically locks up your press? that’s impressive!

 

[mcb]

I have the Dillon version on my XL650. Works well at indicating double charges and no-charges.

 

[Dudedog]

I have both a powder check die and a RCBS lockout die. (also have a Hornady lockout that came with the control panel)
The lockout die is great for pistol but does not work with rifle cals like .223 ( would work for 30 carbine)
The nice thing about the lockout die is you don't have to watch it, just load and go.

I have the Hornady Powder Cop die but you have to purposely look at it every charge and I find it more distracting then good. The lock out dies just work in the backround and you don't have to watch them.

Yes with the powder cop you have to watch them, almost as easy to visually check the case, but they do work with rifle cals. where the lockout die won't.

With my 9mm load of 4.5gr of WSF it will catch anything about + or - .2-.3gr, Doubles and no charge every time.

so it physically locks up your press? that’s impressive!

It prevents the press from going all the way up if it catches something so you need to stop and check.
For a progressive doing pistol I really like it, money well spent. (of course it does eat up a station)
Of course most of the time it is just there and doesn't do anything but eat up that station,
but when it does you will appreciate it.


https://ultimatereloader.com/2010/09/19/rcbs-lock-out-die-part-i-theory-of-operation/
(the above link will also let you look at some other powder check dies)
https://ultimatereloader.com/2010/09/21/rcbs-lock-out-die-part-ii-setup-and-maintenance/

 

[reddog81]

I have the RCBS powder check die and used it a few times. I soon realized it's basically just as easy to check the case for powder versus watching the powder check die on the up stroke. I haven't used it in years.

Another downside it that it takes up a station on your press. For some calibers that's irrelevant, but for others it means you have to cut out a step somewhere else.

 

[Nature Boy]

I use them every time on my Dillon 650 when I’m running it in progressive mode

 

[Mark_Mark]

I use them every time on my Dillon 650 when I’m running it in progressive mode

does the hornady lock out die work on Dillion?

 

[Nature Boy]

does the hornady lock out die work on Dillion?

I don’t know. I use the ones offered by Dillon

 

[cfullgraf]

I use a powder cop die. Easy to adjust for different cartridges and make it part of the scan while operating.

I have enough confidence in my powder measure that it throws consistent powder charges, I'm just making sure I have the appropriate amount of powder in the case.

I cannot easily look in the charged case due to the position my presses are mounted.

The lock out dies look like a good idea but after reading the instructions, I felt adjusting them would be more trouble than they're worth.

 

[picker]

I have the Dillon on my Dillon
best/joe

 

[Blue68f100]

I load for rifle and handgun ammo on my AP. I prefer the Powder Cop. Once you get use to looking at it it's second nature. And my procedure does not change when I load either. If your running handgun only, I could see the lockout die as being preferred. But if you use it on handgun then load rifle you may be paying attention and one may slip by, since you changed your procedure.

 

[The Remnant]

I use the Hornady Powder Cop whenever I'm loading with the powder drop. It's any easy, quick visual check that I did get the expected amount of powder in each case (+ or -, close enough for government work)

 

[tightgroup tiger]

does the hornady lock out die work on Dillion?

Yes, like the RCBS,and Dillon, they are a mechanical lock up.
The guys that use the powder cop are right, that the lock out dies work work with rifle cartridges.