Powder Cop vs Lockout Die

[Dudedog]

What do you use and how do you like it?

 

[cfullgraf]

I use a Hornady powder cop die.

The RCBS lock out die will not work with many of the cartridges that I reload.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I use the Hornady Powder Cop die, a friend who also loads on a LNL AP uses the RCBS Lockout die.

The difference is that I always look for the stem to rise as I lower the lever, he sometimes forgets

 

[higgite]

I use a lock out die for loading pistol on my Pro 2000. I use a bullet feeder at station 4 and can't easily see into the case. The LO die has saved me from a couple of squibs. I purposely run an empty case by it every now and then just to keep it on its toes.

 

[grandpawj]

without fail I use the RCBS Lock-Out for pistol and RCBS Powder Checker on rifle reloads.

 

[Walkalong]

The difference is that I always look for the stem to rise as I lower the lever, he sometimes forgets

Yep, I tried a home made one, but had the same problem. I don't forget to look into each case, so that is what I do.

 

[Crunchy Frog]

RCBS Lockout Die. "Set it and forget it". I can focus my attention on other things.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I also use the Lock-Out die. It stops everything when the powder charge is either absent, way low or double charged.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[DRAINSMITH]

YES
I have two Hornady ammo plants one is set up for pistol and the other is set up for rifle.
I have the deluxe control panel on both. The pistol I use the Hornady lock out die, and the rifle I use the Hornady power cop.

 

[GJSchulze]

I use the most reliable device ever made for detecting a double charge or empty case: my eyes.

I tried a lockout die and had several squibs, my fault due to inexperience. Somewhat the fault of the die because it wasn't 100% reliable. Looking in every case forces me to pay attention. So does thinking what would have happened if the bullet went far enough down the barrel to allow the next round to chamber.

Also, it's cheaper and frees up a die station.

 

[torchroadster01]

I have both and prefer the RCBS lockout die. It is easy for me to "forget" to look at the powder cop and the RCBS does not require specific attention to function correctly. Both are a backup to visually observing the powder load prior to inserting the bullet in the case.

 

[cfullgraf]

I use the most reliable device ever made for detecting a double charge or empty case: my eyes.

Whether you look in a case for powder or look at a rising stem on a powder cop die, one still has to look at something.

If you do not remember to look, it does not matter which process one uses.

The check that is the best is the one that fits your reloading process and thought process.

 

[Schwing]

I recently purchased a Dillon 650 and talked myself into the powder sensor die. In fact, I made the mistake of buying 4, one for each toolhead.

I wish I had stuck with the lockout die. The dillons are ok but the lockout die has my confidence 100%.

As others have stated, regardless of the die used, I still look into each case anyway. It is just one more precaution.

 

[Blue68f100]

I use the powder cop die for it can be used with all the calibers I load for. I still look every time I set a bullet, never can be too careful. The lockout die is good for pistol rounds only, then it has to be off quite a bit for it to detect. So if your loading pistol and the charge is low it may not work. With the powder cop die you can see variations due to case volume (different mfg) and it works with rifle rounds. If I recall some one made a detector for it so it alarms if your not looking like you should.

 

[RealGun]

Loading only handgun so far, I rely on the lockout die for 357 and smaller cases, tall and skinny, that make it difficult for me to look into the case to check for powder, even with the best of lighting. That is on the Hornady LnL AP. On the turret, I have a better view and fewer stations and don't need it.

 

[jmorris]

I have Use the Dillon powder check dies for decades, even tied into one on my automated 1050.

 

[GJSchulze]

Whether you look in a case for powder or look at a rising stem on a powder cop die, one still has to look at something.

That's true, but I had a lockout die that didn't always lockout. It seemed to work at first and then I had some squibs. Certainly part of the problem was my process. Another part was that I was trying out Titegroup, 3.2 gr for 9mm. Titegroup is denser than many powders, so it doesn't take up much room. I suspect that the tolerance for error was too small. I went back to Power Pistol which fills almost 1/2 the case. No powder is easy to spot and a double charge is impossible to miss.

Anyway, I lost confidence in those dies. I've only had one squib in the last 2+ years. And it saves a die station.

 

[rdtompki]

I liked the function of the powder cop die, but if you're loading in volume having to look at the die really messes up you're scan. I look at the case feeder shuttle to detect short cases or falling cases and then look at the powder level in the case as it rotates toward my sizing die position. The lockout die works fine and now that I've had success with a combo seater/crimp die for 9mm I'll have the best of both worlds: bullet feeder and lockout die.

 

[greyling22]

I'm not trying to knock those of ya'll that use the powder check dies, do what makes you feel comfortable at night, but do you really have that big a problem with squibs? Is your powder bridging? I'd be tempted to change powder or dispenser before I started messing with powder check dies. (in part because I don't a lot of empty stations)

 

[jmorris]

I'm not trying to knock those of ya'll that use the powder check dies, do what makes you feel comfortable at night, but do you really have that big a problem with squibs?

Think of it like eating right and going to the doctor, or brushing your teeth and going to the dentist, maybe even like wiping your butt and taking a shower. Redundant? Maybe but it doesn't hurt and might just catch something you miss some day.


I feel it's absolutely mandatory on my computer controlled 1050.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrFhnDQ-eUU

But there are many that don't.

 

[higgite]

I'm not trying to knock those of ya'll that use the powder check dies, do what makes you feel comfortable at night, but do you really have that big a problem with squibs?

I'm not trying to knock those of ya'll that use don't powder check dies, do what makes you feel comfortable at night.

No, I don't have a big problem with squibs, and a lockout die is largely responsible for that. Since I added a bullet feeder, it's difficult to look into the case before the bullet feeder drops a bullet on it . The lockout die has caught 2 wannabe squibs before they reached the bullet dropper. It does serve a purpose for some of us, but like jmorris said, it's not for everyone.

 

[mongoose33]

I use the lockout die. I can't imagine using a progressive without it.

I suppose if I had a powder cop w/ an electronic alarm it might be ok, but the lockout die will lock up the press and I don't have to worry about the buzzer or light or whatever not working.

In fact, I have a lockout die for 9mm, another for .45ACP, and I bought two more on sale as spares for when I start loading other calibers with it.

As a tip, I set up some 9mm cases with corks driven into them to simulate the amount of powder for different loads. I use them to set up and verify the lockout dies. Here's what I mean:'

 

[Paddy]

I can imagine anything that is capable of locking up a press could also damage the advance system on my LnL. Any problems with this?

 

[jmorris]

The press should not be trying to advance with the cases inside the dies, unless you have the paws adjusted incorrectly (not sure if you could adjust them that far off even if you wanted to but I doubt it).

if you can run the press into and out of the dies you have already, adding a lockout die won't effect the advance paws.

 

[Dudedog]

Thanks everybody. I am using an LNL so the station is not an issue, as I like to deprime/resize, tumble and prime off press with my hand primer. (I can prime cases while watching football)

I have been loading without one and haven't had issues I was just thinking having one might speed up the process a bit.
( I just have money burning a hole in my wallet, that's why I took up reloading as a hobby )
I was leaning towards the lockout die but that won't work for rifle.
I guess the answer may just be one of each. :banghead:

Anybody with any clever mods to make non-Dillon power cops beep?