Handy Items everyone could use!

[Scarlett]

If you’re using a progressive press that has space for a powder check, you might want to check out the RCBS Lock-Out Die. They are MAGIC.  If you have too much, too little or no powder in the case, you CANNOT advance the press. It will NOT move! NO MORE SQUIBS! https://www.rcbs.com/presses/press-accessories/lock-out-die/16-87540.html
Midway and Amazon are sold out. RCBS has them in stock. 

 

Also, UniqueTek has come out with a powder drop/case expander specifically for Hi-Tek polymer coated bullets. If you’re shaving some lead/coating at the seating position, this new 2 step expander really makes a difference, for me anyway. 
https://uniquetek.com/shop/ols/products/9mm38-htc-powder-funnel

 

I have this for 38/9mm and for 32 SW/HR.
 

The LockOut die isn’t small enough to use on the 32 so I use my Dillon powder check there.  I don’t have 100% confidence in my Dillon powder check, though. 

 

Here are pictures of the items. 

HUGS!!

Scarlett

[Mountain Man Champ]

I have one set up for each caliber I load. They are a lifesaver!  (lock out die).

[Sixgun Seamus]

Ditto on the Lockout Die. Like Scarlett said, it literally stops the press from advancing. Simple to adjust.

 

[Tall John]

I have the Double Alpha Powder alarm for my Hornady LNL APP.  It has both an audible and a visual alarm which is much better than the Hornady Powder cop but maybe not as fool proof as the RCBS Lockout die.

[SHOOTIN FOX]

+1000 on the powder check from RCBS.

[Idaho Gunslinger]

I've not looked at or used an RCBS Lockout die so I don't know exactly how they work; but with my Dillon Powder checker I've found it to alarm at +/- 0.3gr to 0.4gr when using flake powders like Titegroup and Red Dot. Which sounds better than just stopping when I have no powder or a double charge (I'm assuming the Lockout Die has less tolerance than the Dillon system. I may be wrong here.)

 

The Dillon Die is a lot lower cost than the Lockout Die too. Granted you have to setup the powder checker as you move it from toolhead to toolhead. I leave the powder die in each toolhead but move the alarm around. 

 

I am using the UniqueTek HTC Powder Funnel for my 230gr 45 ACP loads. I tried it for my 180gr 45 colt loads and my 130gr 45 Cowboy loads but the lower portion of the expander is longer than those short bullets and they would drop too deep into the cases. I suspect it will work good with anything 200gr and up though. Works great on those 230gr bullets I mentioned.

 

[Abe E.S. Corpus SASS #87667]

I’ve used and recommended the RCBS Lockout Die for many years.  I made a video comparing it to the Hornady Powder Cop.

 

RCBS also makes a “Powder Check Die” that is similar to the Hornady Powder Cop.  It is not the same as the Lockout Die.  Hornady used to make a product that interfaced with an electronic control panel but I believe it was discontinued years ago.

 

The Lockout Die is for straight wall cartridges.  It works fine with .44-40 as well.

 

The “desired” charge in the video is 3.2 grains of Red Dot in a .38 Special case.  It detected an undercharge (approximately 2.0 grains).  I have not tested the sensitivity beyond that.

 

[Tyrel Cody]

Wanna know the best way to prevent squibs and not worry about powder checks/lockout devices?….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just switch to Black Powder(or sub)

 

 

 

 

That said, yes on the rare(extremely) occasion when I use that heathen smokeyless mess; the RCBS lockout die is on my press and is a wonderful tool.

 

I’m interested in that funnel thing, I’ll have to order one.

 

Here’s a handy tool everyone needs(at least if they shoot a double barrel shotgun):

 

12 Gauge Shotshell Checker and Resizer:

 

 

 

[Badlands Bob #61228]

I changed my Dillon powder alarms to RCBS lockout dies.  I couldn’t get the Dillon powder check die dialed in to quit chirping.  The RCBS lockout due won’t detect minor powder  fluctuations, but it will lock up the press for no powder and double charges.

[Von Dutch, SASS # 7995]

20 hours ago, Idaho Gunslinger said:

I've not looked at or used an RCBS Lockout die so I don't know exactly how they work; but with my Dillon Powder checker I've found it to alarm at +/- 0.3gr to 0.4gr when using flake powders like Titegroup and Red Dot. Which sounds better than just stopping when I have no powder or a double charge (I'm assuming the Lockout Die has less tolerance than the Dillon system. I may be wrong here.)

 

The Dillon Die is a lot lower cost than the Lockout Die too. Granted you have to setup the powder checker as you move it from toolhead to toolhead. I leave the powder die in each toolhead but move the alarm around. 

 

I am using the UniqueTek HTC Powder Funnel for my 230gr 45 ACP loads. I tried it for my 180gr 45 colt loads and my 130gr 45 Cowboy loads but the lower portion of the expander is longer than those short bullets and they would drop too deep into the cases. I suspect it will work good with anything 200gr and up though. Works great on those 230gr bullets I mentioned.

 

That is only half of it! your missing the most important and expensive part of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and with the RCBS lockout die it doesn't have to be no charge or a double charge to stop the press. I change to the RCBS lockout die because I had problems with the Dillon powder check and they didn't resolve it so I couldn't trust the Dillon powder check anymore !

[Scarlett]

4 hours ago, Badlands Bob #61228 said:

I changed my Dillon powder alarms to RCBS lockout dies.  I couldn’t get the Dillon powder check die dialed in to quit chirping.  The RCBS lockout due won’t detect minor powder  fluctuations, but it will lock up the press for no powder and double charges.

EXACTLY my issue! then I never could trust the Dillon. 

[Badlands Bob #61228]

I still use the Dillon powder check for loading .223/5.56.  The RCBS lockout die doesn’t work on bottle neck rifle cartridges.

[Abe E.S. Corpus SASS #87667]

A fellow in my club purchased the current model 2.0 of the Double Alpha Academy magnetic powder check.  One advantage of that product is that it can be used with straight wall and bottleneck cases.

 

My friend loads .45 Colt with Clean Shot which is a very fine powder.  He was having issues and called DAA.  They told him there is a known issue when small charges of very fine powders are used.  The original product had a sensitivity adjustment but that feature was eliminated on the 2.0.

[Idaho Gunslinger]

18 hours ago, Von Dutch, SASS # 7995 said:

That is only half of it! your missing the most important and expensive part of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and with the RCBS lockout die it doesn't have to be no charge or a double charge to stop the press. I change to the RCBS lockout die because I had problems with the Dillon powder check and they didn't resolve it so I couldn't trust the Dillon powder check anymore !

Yes but you can move the alarm from toolhead to toolhead quickly. I have 10 toolsheads so it would be really expensive to switch them all over to the RCBS dies. To get the Dillon Powder check system and another 9 dies is just under $300. To buy 10 RCBS lock out dies is just under $600. Basically double the price. Granted the Lockout dies would he set and forget while I have to make some minor adjustments to the powder check rod to move it around. It just depends on how many toolheads you have and how you plan to reload. 

 

I'm surprised how many issues people are having with the Dillon. I trust mine a lot after some extensive double checking with a beam scale. Maybe I got lucky and got a reliable one. When I load cowboy loads I set mine up so that it is more sensitive to a low charge rather than a higher charge. When I load everything else I'm generally on the hotter side and I set the die up to be more sensitive to a higher charge. My powder measures generally throws +/- 0.1gr though so I have very little to worry about. The only time I've every had it alarm is when there was a small rock stuck in a 9mm case one time. Other than that one time it's only when I have an empty spot on the shell plate like when you're doing the first few rounds or last few rounds.

[The Surgeon]

23 minutes ago, Idaho Gunslinger said:

Yes but you can move the alarm from toolhead to toolhead quickly. I have 10 toolsheads so it would be really expensive to switch them all over to the RCBS dies. To get the Dillon Powder check system and another 9 dies is just under $300. To buy 10 RCBS lock out dies is just under $600. Basically double the price. Granted the Lockout dies would he set and forget while I have to make some minor adjustments to the powder check rod to move it around. It just depends on how many toolheads you have and how you plan to reload. 

 

I'm surprised how many issues people are having with the Dillon. I trust mine a lot after some extensive double checking with a beam scale. Maybe I got lucky and got a reliable one. When I load cowboy loads I set mine up so that it is more sensitive to a low charge rather than a higher charge. When I load everything else I'm generally on the hotter side and I set the die up to be more sensitive to a higher charge. My powder measures generally throws +/- 0.1gr though so I have very little to worry about. The only time I've every had it alarm is when there was a small rock stuck in a 9mm case one time. Other than that one time it's only when I have an empty spot on the shell plate like when you're doing the first few rounds or last few rounds.

You could just move 1 die around to each toolhead. it literally takes less than 2 min to adjust it. it also only works on pistol cases. 

[Idaho Gunslinger]

53 minutes ago, The Surgeon said:

You could just move 1 die around to each toolhead. it literally takes less than 2 min to adjust it. it also only works on pistol cases. 

You could do the same with the Dillon and it might take only an extra minute to setup if any. And it does work on bottleneck cases. 

[Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator]

21 hours ago, Scarlett said:

EXACTLY my issue! then I never could trust the Dillon. 

Agree.

I have these on two Dillons,  one dedicated  for BP and other smokeless.