RCBS Lockout Die Issues

[compujas]

I just picked up an RCBS Lockout Die with my new Hornady LNL AP press and I'm having a few problems with it.

First, I can't seem to get it to adjust properly for my 9mm load. I'm using 5.8gr Power Pistol and it pushes the indicator line too far above the die body when the rod is adjusted as short as possible. I tried another load (4.4gr Titegroup) and it was just able to function with the rod all the way down. Am I doing something wrong, or is just not able to work with that large of a powder volume in 9mm?

Second, the little plastic foot keeps getting powder stuck to it when it goes into the case. I tried hitting it with a little degreaser and even wiped it down with a dryer sheet, which helped a little, but after 2 or 3 times into the case it was picking powder up again. Any suggestions?

Thanks a lot in advance.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

This video will show you how to set it up properly http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=egs5GWG_Prc. This guy does a lot of very good instructional videos on setting up different reloading equipment. And to keep powder from building up on the "foot" I would suggest cleaning it with something like Hornady One Shot gun cleaner and dry lube or mineral spirits. Just make sure you adjust it first then clean it. Then let it dry before installing it. Don't touch it with you hands as powder tends to stick to finger oils. You could also try dipping it in graphite powder after cleaning it.

 

[compujas]

Thanks for the reply. I did actually watch that video, and I do understand how it works (I was able to get it to work for a different powder charge). My problem though is that it doesn't seem to want to adjust far enough down for the charge that I'm using.

I will have to try degreasing it after adjusting though as that might be my problem.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

When you say the line is too far above the die, how far above the due is it? Some loads I've used it on, the line will be up to a half inch above the due when the case is just starting to make contact with the die. You want the line to extend as far as possible when the ram is all the way up.

When you use your Tite Group load, what do you mean it's barely able to function? Is the rod not extending up far enough when the ram is up?

It will can take some fiddlin with, but I'd just about guarantee you'll eventually be able to set it for your load. Sometimes you may even have to adjust the die body height slightly to get proper function.

 

[compujas]

Here's a picture with 5.8gr of Power Pistol in the case. The indicator line is about 1/8" to 3/16" above the top of the die body. This is with the "foot" screwed as far down as it will go.

What I mean by the Titegroup charge is barely able, is with the foot adjusted all the way down, it will go, but if I lengthen the adjustment at all, it hangs up. In other words, I only have adjustment on one side of the Titegroup charge, I can't make it any shorter. It's really irrelevant, the point is that the die itself works, apparently just not for my larger volume charge with Power Pistol.

Lastly, adjusting the die body in the press should have nothing to do with getting it to work. You can adjust it off press to get it working for your charge weight. Then when you put it in the press, you have to adjust it to work relative to your shell plate and press throw. I don't see why it wouldn't work off press but can then work on press, since it's all about relative distance between the bottom of the foot and the bottom of the die.

Hopefully my explanation of my problem is a little clearer.

 

[Mike 27]

I think I understand what you are saying. The die body adjustment is important. I think that is your hang up. Move it up or dawn to get it close and then adjust the rod. I use this die on many calibers including 9mm. Try a little grafite on the end and that should help with the sticking powder, but I usually don't bother with a flake or 2 sticking on it. Hope this helps if I am not off base.

Mike

 

[compujas]

I don't quite understand how adjusting the die body will solve anything. Using the picture just to think through it, if I move the die up in the press, the rod will come down to the right position, but now the case will be the same amount farther from the die. Therefore you'd need to raise the case by the same amount to get it to enter the die, but then the rod will be back up to where it started.

 

[Mike 27]

My understanding is you are running out of adjustment on the rod. You can use the die body to get this within the adjustment for the ram. Is this not your issue? When I adjust mine I place the case just touching the bottom of the die and then adjust the ram so the line is even with the top of the die. Kind of hard to explain. Are you pressing the shell case into the die at all when you are adjusting it? It should just kiss the bottom with no pressure against the mechanism and then adjust the ram to get the line on top just breaking the plane or even with it.

 

[compujas]

Yes, I am out of adjustment on the rod. As shown in the picture, the rod is at it's shortest adjustment and the line is still above the die body. In that case it has the weight of the die pushing down, so it is not "just kissing" the die, but even still, if it were going to work, it would've gone in. Since it can't be adjusted any shorter, there doesn't seem to be a way of bring the line down.

It may just be that there's no way to get it to work with that much powder in the case. But considering this is a decreased charge weight for use with plated bullets, I don't think the lockout die can be used for Power Pistol in 9mm at all then.

 

[Mike 27]

You have to take the weight off of the die. Support the die. It should not depress the mechanism at all while adjusting the rod. Once you set the line doing this you will be able to press the shell smoothly through the die stroke. There is your issue. This thing will work from small 9mm loads all the way through any straight wall pistol case capacity.

 

[compujas]

I have done that. I understand what you're saying, but the problem is that since the rod is adjusted all the way down, whether I support the die or not, it doesn't work. If I took the weight off of it and it lined up, then I could put the weight back on and it would work, so it doesn't matter. The point is that it's adjusted all the way down but still is too high.

 

[Mike 27]

I just went out and messed with mine with an empty case and it worked fine. I took a video but I cant upload it here unless there is something I am missing. PM me with an email and I will send it that way if you want.

Mike

 

[higgite]

compujas, are you sure the plastic foot of the plunger isn't hanging on the mouth of the case? I had that problem with mine. Also, you know that the die comes with 2 different size plastic feet, right? You should be using the smaller one for 9mm.

 

[compujas]

Yes, I am using the smaller foot, and it's not getting stuck on the case.

 

[Fired]

Had the same exact problem. I was using it for 45acp, then I tried it with 9mm and still had the same problem. Then, I warrantied the die, sold it, and bought the hornady cop die instead. Couldn't be any happier.

 

[BYJO4]

I've not had this problem with any of my RCBS Lockout Dies (I have 7 set up for the different calibers that I load). It could be a defective die and I would call RCBS for help as this should not happen. I suppose you could shorten the rod by grinding off the end and then put the rubber tip back on but again I would let RCBS fix anything necessary to make it work. Don't worry about powder sticking to tip. Just put a little dry graphite on the tip and that will virtually stop any sticking (sticking also decreases the more die is used).

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Have you actually mounted it in the press yet? It really doesn't look like its sticking up that much further than its supposed to. If you mount it and it goes up all the way without locking up the press then you should be fine. It's not meant to lock it out with a very slight .1-.2 grain or so variance. It's just a a quick visual way to ensure you have an adequate charge that is also not too high to cause a kaboom.

 

[dickttx]

I have also had the problem of powder sticking to the foot. Last week I used an unused dryer sheet to wipe down the foot, then puffed some graphite on it. Very little powder stuck after that. As suggested, don't touch it with your hands afterwards. Nice to see I came up with a similar solution to others.
I use the same die for both 38 Super and 45 ACP. I had trouble adjusting it when changing calibers so I started adjusting it off the press. I set it over a case with the proper powder charge, then turn the adjusting rod slowly until the case enters the die. When I put it back in the press I then test with a freshly powdered case and an empty case. I have never paid attention to the marker.