Hornady PTX and RCBS Lock Out Die

[Skgreen]

You said you've loaded for 100 yrs without a L/O die,,,,,

Why are you trying to break something that isn't fixed?

 

[Dudedog]

from what I have read and videos the RCBS doesn't do much for 9mm. It will detect a "no charge" but not an over charge as the case is so small

I usually load with 4.5gr of WSF in 9mm. When adjusted right my RCBS lockout die will lockout at about 4.2-4.3 and 4.7-4.8, and of course on a double or a no charge.
So it may not tell me if the charge is right but it will tell me if its off by more than a bit.
How much will depend on the powder and the case size.
I really like it and use it all the time.
If you change powders or charges you will probably need to readjust it since what it is really measuring is case fill-powder height in the case.

Once you get used to adjusting it is fairly quick.
I have the Hornady powder cop also and much prefer the lockout die for pistol but of course it won't work for say .223.
The powder cop you need to watch the lockout die you don't.
Yes it locks up the press if something is wrong and you need to stop and see what state the cases in the press are in and deal with them but that's not a big deal because you should not be getting lockouts except one in a blue moon.

use the RCBS Lock-Out die for all of my pistol caliber rounds (I have bought one for each caliber so I don't have to re-adjust each time). I love mine and hate to be without it

I only have one, and while I may not love it I like it a lot. Money well spent IMO for progressive users. Do you need it, no, is it nice, yes.

 

[higgite]

You say significantly less than a double chargein 9mm So if you use 4.6 g will it lock out at 5.6?? Will a case hold 9.2 g?? ( a double)

I have no idea, just what some internet you tube expert said. I will have to get out different powders and measure for myself. I seem to remember deliberate trying a double charge on a LCT 9mm and Power Pistol and yes it overflows. So the Cop would be no use there(a double charge)
I do not have one so can't test it.

Maybe a powder like TiteBoom would fill it up twice??

Edit" I just did a non scientific test of Hp 38 and 9mm and a case will hold around 8 to 8.2 g of HP38 So a double charge would be overflowing and unable to seat the bullet a blind reloader would notice it.
Now at 5.6 would it lock? Should that be a Kboom??

Like I said earlier, my die has a lockout bandwidth of 3.2 gr of W231 (or HP-38). But, it has a smooth operating bandwidth of only 1.2 gr. That is, if a charge is more than +/- 0.6 gr off of center of the lockout bandwidth, the die gets clunky. That is, it may not be enough to lockout, but I will notice that the plunger isn’t operating smoothly. So, when it is operating smoothly, I know it isn’t more than +/- 0.6 gr from the center of its bandwidth. That means it is no more than 2.2 gr from locking out in one direction and no less than 1 gr from locking out in the other direction.

So, if my target charge of 4.6 gr is on the low end of the die’s smooth range, then it will lock out at about 6.8 gr. On the other hand, if 4.6 gr is on the high end of its smooth range, then it will lockout at about 5.6 gr. Both values are significantly less than a double charge and far from overflowing the case with W231. That is based on my experience with my die. Others may differ, but I wouldn’t expect it to be a great difference. I know that's clear as mud, but it's the best I can explain it short of writing a novel.

And, I don't know if 5.6 would be a kaboom or not. I've never tried it.

Edit: I grabbed a random 9mm case out of my stash and sized it without decapping it. Headstamp was FC, sized case length .749”. It held 9.4 gr of W231 when filled to the brim. That's without tamping it down to settle the powder, so it is possible for me to get a double charge of my favorite recipe without overflowing the case. ymmv

 

[Rule3]

OK, I am gonna order one and if it is not all that you and Dude say it is, one of you is gonna buy it!

But then I need to get PTX for every damn caliber?? As the reloading expenses continue!

Never had this issue with LEE! They have good powder through dies, just unscrew the powder measure and put it on whatever caliber. No extra BS to buy.

 

[Rule3]

You said you've loaded for 100 yrs without a L/O die,,,,,

Why are you trying to break something that isn't fixed?

I am a"solution" waiting to happen.
Forgot to add that my Grand Father and Father all did it this way and I was on the bench as a infant helping.

 

[higgite]

OK, I am gonna order one and if it is not all that you and Dude say it is, one of you is gonna buy it!

I take it all back!

 

[Dudedog]

OK, I am gonna order one and if it is not all that you and Dude say it is, one of you is gonna buy it!

A heck I could always use a 2nd one
Let see used, hhmmm 1/2 price right

But then I need to get PTX for every damn caliber??

You could always just use your Lee powder measure and PTX on the LNL, I do all the time because I like to leave the Hornady one set for my match loads.
Takes a little fiddling to make sure the auto drum rotates all the way but it works fine. Auto disk is a snap.