Powder Lockout Die and Powder Check Die

[Barr]

After having several squib loads in 9mm and having to dig bullets out of the barrel, these dies sound very attractive. I load on a Lee Pro 1000 progressive press. Since then I have become much more careful when I load etc. Never had a single problem with this in .44 mag or .380 auto. Without turning this into Brand X is better than Brand Y etc....

How do powder lockout dies and powder check dies work? Who makes them, I have seen RCBS makes a set? Will one of these dies work on a 3 station progressive press like the Lee Pro 1000? In the meantime, I have been trying to visually check every powder charge to be sure it looks correct.

 

[Idano]

Barr The powder check die is simply a die that mounts in your press that has a plunger that goes into the case. When the case goes into the die the power contacts the plunger and raises the plunger up. The RCBS power die has a reference rod you mark the height of the plunger on a properly charged case. Then if the plunger move above the mark there is too much power in the case and if the plunger doesn't reach the mark there is either not enough powder or no powder in the case.

You could use the powder check die in your press but you will have to remove a die since you only have three stations, it will slow you down. I had a Lee Load Master press and I was never happy with the Lee powder measure, I didn't have the disk which I hear is good, so I used a RCBS Uniflow powder measure with the RCBS Case Activate Linkage. I have never had a bad power charge with my Uniflow I highly recommend it for your Lee over buying the powder check die. I saw one go on eBay, measure and linkage, for $48.

 

[Barr]

As a matter of fact, I just bought an RCBS Uniflow powder measure off of ebay. I like it much better than the Lee Pro Powder Measure (not). I have bought both the large and the small cylinders for it.

I was just thinking about converting it to my Lee Pro 1000 press today. I was thinking about asking on another thread in the future if I could use the linkage to connect it to my press. Everything I have read says that the measure adapts to most 4 and 5 stage presses. Can you connect it to the Lee Pro 1000 press with the linkage you buy? Will it work with the existing Lee Powder Through Expanding die I have? I am going to try calling the RCBS 1-800 number tomorrow.

Thanks for the response. All kinds of new exciting ideas.

 

[ilbob]

I don't see how the powder check die could be used in a 3 hole turret press.

I have a 1000 with the original lee powder measure (the disk style) that it came with. it throws near perfect charges of bullseye. I have weighed hundreds (or maybe thousands by now) of charges and it is always dead on.

The new lee 1000 comes with a powder measure that is chain activated on the return, so it is very hard to double charge. Mine is the older style with the spring return, which can be double charged. With the chain return, you have to REALLY try to double charge.

 

[Barr]

I have the powder measure with the chain return spring. Already had to replace the chain once due to it snapping.

 

[Walkalong]

I have an LED light attached to my press which shines into the charged case. I look at every charge as I put a bullet over it. I am very anal about this and focus on doing it at exspense of a little speed. I also like to use powders which take up some space in the case vs some where the charge size is so small it's way down in the case and it's hard to differentiate between a single and a double charge. I want to be safe more than I want to get 1 gazillion shots per pound. I bought some Zip to try recently and found out between its charge wieghts and bulk density its charge in the .45 is so small I am not going to use it. Better safe than sorry. I'm a cheap bas**** but I'll give the Zip away and not risk it. Many will use it and more power to them. It is just not for me.