RCBS Powder Lockout Die

[Doublehelix]

I have been running the RCBS powder lockout die on my XL650 for the last couple of months, and while it seems to work most of the time, it misses empty cases a lot.

So far, I have only been using it on 9mm, which may be the problem...

I have not had any squibbs sneak through yet, but every once in a while I test it with empty cases and double loads, and it always catches the double loads, but it is hit and miss with the empty cases.

I have set it up several times to fine tune it, watched YouTube videos, etc., but it does not seem to be fail proof with empty cases.

Any comments/suggestions? Is 9mm the problem?

 

[Schwing]

There really are only two possibilities. Either you are not setting up properly or you have a defective die. I would call RCBS and see if they have any ideas. I own 3 of these and they are very reliable. In fact, all three will catch most powder variations of around .5 grains or more.

 

[higgite]

...... So far, I have only been using it on 9mm, which may be the problem...

.......... Any comments/suggestions? Is 9mm the problem?

9mm is not the problem. I use one for 9mm and 45 ACP and it catches my test empties and double charges every time. Like Schwing said, yours is either defective or not adjusted properly. If you call RCBS, they will help you resolve your problem over the phone.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Mine catches empty cases and double drops on light .38 Special loads every time. I'd do what Schwing and higgite suggested, call RCBS Customer Service.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Cannibul]

Never a problem with mine.

 

[Doublehelix]

I called RCBS today, twice in fact. The first time I waited 30 minutes, and someone finally came on the phone and said someone would call me back. I waited all day, and finally called back again. Waited another 30 minutes, and then actually got a technician. The woman who answered the phone could not wait to get off the phone and get to the next person.

I described my problem, and she just said: "Send it back with a note, and we'll replace it. Anything else? Bye." I'm like: Hold on! Where do I send it, do I need an RA number, etc. "Nope, send it to the address on the web page, bye."

I was stunned. She had me on the phone for less than a minute, and then gave me the bum's rush back out the door.

I guess I should be happy that they are going to replace it, but maybe I just expected better treatment, like giving me an address, or even taking the time to really listen to my problem.

I guess great customer service has gone the way of the flip phone (my mom used to say "...gone the way of the horse and buggy...", but I guess I can modernize things just a *bit*!).

 

[ReloaderFred]

Well, Mondays are pretty busy there, as with most businesses. You can't really fault someone when they're handling possibly hundreds of calls from all over the world in a single day. Just send in the unit with a note and they'll replace it, free of charge. Try that in most other industries and they'll just hang up on you.......

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Doublehelix]

Well, Mondays are pretty busy there, as with most businesses. You can't really fault someone when they're handling possibly hundreds of calls from all over the world in a single day. Just send in the unit with a note and they'll replace it, free of charge. Try that in most other industries and they'll just hang up on you.......

Hope this helps.

Fred

Yeah, I get it, and I am fine and grateful that they are going to replace it.

I just felt rushed and really wasn't sure where to send it, how to send it, etc., and I felt she could have taken a bit more time to make sure I felt comfortable with what I had to do. It seems weird to send something back without an RA#, but I guess I just have to trust them.

It's all good, and I did not mean to sound ungrateful.

 

[ReloaderFred]

RCBS started the "Lifetime Warranty" in the reloading business, and because of that, they get a lot of calls. A whole lot of calls. Mondays are the worst day of the week for customer service calls, so she was probably a little harried. I've used them myself a couple of times and they've always been great to deal with. You'd be surprised how many people want to tell the person who answers the phone their life story, and who knows, she may have just had one of those previous to your call.

They'll take care of you, though.

Hope this helps.

Fred

PS: Maybe she needed a potty break and had been trying to take it for the last hour.....

 

[9mmepiphany]

I just felt rushed and really wasn't sure where to send it, how to send it, etc., and I felt she could have taken a bit more time to make sure I felt comfortable with what I had to do. It seems weird to send something back without an RA#, but I guess I just have to trust them.

I'm not sure why you're feel weird...that is the way all businesses used to handle things. They just trust that you aren't trying to scam them.

If you didn't feel comfortable sending them an item for service, why would you have done business with them in the first place?

If you'd like them to spend more time with you:
1. Don't call on a Monday or Friday afternoon
2. Don't call near lunch time
3. If your wait time is longer then 10 minutes, call back another time

I described my problem, and she just said: "Send it back with a note, and we'll replace it. Anything else? Bye." I'm like: Hold on! Where do I send it, do I need an RA number, etc. "Nope, send it to the address on the web page, bye."

The address is on the website, so it would be a bit redundant to give it to you over the phone. That is also why they want to to include a note describing what the issue with the item is, that way they have to type it up and possibly introduce errors

 

[Dudedog]

No issues with mine. When I have it dialed in for 4.5 gr of WSF (listewd VMW of .084 but really closer to .09 with my lots) it will lock on 4.2-4.3gr.
Funny thing I have seen prices on the die from any where around $50 to $80. I got mine from Midway for around $50 so it pays to shop for one.
Glad RCBS is going to make it right for you.
I really like mine.

 

[quaid]

Have you tried adjusting it? There's only one adjustment- screw in or screw out- I would try that before sending it and losing that down time.

 

[mstreddy]

OP, a couple of times in the past when I opted for them to call back, they did within a day or two. At least then it was an RCBS tech on the phone rather than a generic customer service rep. Remember also, that now the 800 number is for several companies, not just RCBS, so the queue is rather large.

 

[Doublehelix]

Have you tried adjusting it? There's only one adjustment- screw in or screw out- I would try that before sending it and losing that down time.

Yes, I spent a lot of time adjusting it. It works well for double charges, and catches those 100% of the time, but it only catches the empties about 1 in 5 or even 1 in 10.

Thanks for the suggestion however... I wish it would be that easy.

 

[PCFlorida]

I vote for send it back also. I have maybe 5 lockout dies and one of them never worked correctly. The 2nd time I sent it back they replaced it. And it ceased being a problem

 

[Doublehelix]

I vote for send it back also. I have maybe 5 lockout dies and one of them never worked correctly. The 2nd time I sent it back they replaced it. And it ceased being a problem

Thanks, yes it is going back tomorrow morning. I was travelling last week and could not get it packed up in time. Hopefully they turn it around quickly.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Doublehelix]

Got a brand new die back today from RCBS. They just replaced it as I figured they would. Got a whole new box and everything, and I did not even send the old box back in.

Now to set it up and get it working.

 

[Captaingyro]

I'd be curious to know how the new one works.

 

[Doublehelix]

I just realized that I never updated this thread. Sorry...

The new lockout die works perfectly, so I am very happy. If you remember, the old die would sense a double charge, but would miss an empty cartridge, which gave the potential for a squib. This new replacement die catches everything perfectly.

I am very happy!

 

[ReloaderFred]

I'm glad RCBS took care of you on this. They've always been a standup company and they really do back their products.

Fred

 

[Reeferman]

Doublehelix I don't mean or want this to be this is better than that but do you have a lot of missed or double charges with the 650? I've been loading on my LNL for 3 years with a variety of powders and have never had a missed or double charge. I used the Hornady powder cop for a while but stopped as I look in pretty much every case and all 5 holes are usually full and no room for it.
I don't try to load at warp speed.

 

[Doublehelix]

Reeferman: No worries. I have only been loading on the XL650 for a few months now, and no, I have not had a missed or double-charge yet, but I did have three squibs in the last year or so with my Lee Classic Turret press (LCT) due to an issue with the powder drop.

Since I have the option of adding another die to one of the stations, which I did not have with the LCT, I thought it was a good idea to take advantage of the ability to check the powder level, just in case. (5 stations on the Dillon vs. 4 on the LCT.)

What do you use in your 5 stations? I have:
1) Size (and deprime)
2) Flare and drop powder (Also the prime station)
3) Powder check
4) Bullet seating
5) Crimp

It definitely adds peace of mind and I prefer this over the Dillon powder check alarm since it actually locks up the press.

 

[Reeferman]

Reeferman: No worries. I have only been loading on the XL650 for a few months now, and no, I have not had a missed or double-charge yet, but I did have three squibs in the last year or so with my Lee Classic Turret press (LCT) due to an issue with the powder drop.

Since I have the option of adding another die to one of the stations, which I did not have with the LCT, I thought it was a good idea to take advantage of the ability to check the powder level, just in case. (5 stations on the Dillon vs. 4 on the LCT.)

What do you use in your 5 stations? I have:
1) Size (and deprime)
2) Flare and drop powder (Also the prime station)
3) Powder check
4) Bullet seating
5) Crimp

It definitely adds peace of mind and I prefer this over the Dillon powder check alarm since it actually locks up the press.

If I don't use a PTX expander on my powder measure then I use a seperate one as well as seating and crimping dies. If I use a PTX then I can use powder check.

 

[Dudedog]

Coll glad the new one works.
I like mine, money well spent IMO.