RCBS Lockout Die doesn't always...

[jgh4445]

I was loading some 9mm with 4.3 gr of Bullseye. I had been watching the lockout die and it was functioning fine. I continued to load, now just every once in a while looking at the die. After all, its supposed to lock the press up on an overage or underage of powder. I pulled the handle and something just didn't feel right. Pulled it again and it was hard to get the ram all the way up. Thought I had an un-lubed case in the sizer die and it just was taking a bit more pressure. Something was going on so I pulled one more time and noticed that while the lockout die didn't reach the indicator mark, it didn't stop the press. Pulled once again and noticed the powder measure was loose and not going at full cycle. The lock out dies did not lock the press up on too small of a powder charge. I thought it was supposed to. I intentionally ran a case up into it with no powder and although it had a sluggish,drag type feeling, it allowed me to continue loading. This was the way the press was feeling when I first noticed it and thought it was the sizing die. You guys using the lock out die, beware.

 

[BYJO4]

The RCBS Lockout Die is advertised to lock up the press if there is either a no powder charge or a double charge. I'm sure there is some difference from die to die but I have 7 of them and they will all lock up the press if powder drop is +/- 2 grains from my setting.

 

[Certaindeaf]

^
Well it seems that that one is defective then.

 

[Bo Heck]

I tested out my lockout die when I set it up and it worked like a champ, completely locked up my Hornady AP Press. So looks like yours is defective.

 

[119er]

I've always adjusted mine to have a very slight stack up or drag when doing initial setup and it has always worked great for me. This die has saved my butt twice with 38 SPL. (I use it on all pistol calibers) For 9mm I adjust it for drag b/c it will detect a low charge sooner (my belief) and a double charge will overflow the case. Ultimate reloader has a good video on setup of this die if you want an additional source of info. I think there are several factors that will affect the sensitivity of the the die including case inside diameter and propellant grain structure/density. You never stated how low the charge was from 4.3gr so maybe try to adjust it as described and see if it locks on the low charge it let by before.

 

[Otto]

A lockout die is not a substitute for careful attention.

 

[jgh4445]

I agree is not a substitute for careful attention. I think mine may be defective. I'll call CS and talk to them about it. Thanks.

 

[Ken70]

Try putting differing amounts of powder in a case and see what trips the Lockout die to actually lockout. It's not going to work on a couple of tenths of powder, this isn't something that is working on a couple of thousandths of an inch tolerance. It's there to prevent gross differences like a double charge or nothing at all.

 

[Mike 27]

Mine will lock if it gets a little off. Think something is wrong with yours. I know it is only advertised for double of 0 charge lock outs but mine will lock if a tenths off usually.

 

[ImjinScout]

I use mine all the time and it works great, however I did have a problem with mine not working correctly so I took it all apart and cleaned it good and have not had any problems since. Just be careful when taking apart those little ball bearnings have a way of wanting to roll away, .

As for accuracy, I did a test and mine won't lock up on a +/-.2 gr charge, it takes a little more than that. But as stated even though I use it I still look at every case in my LnL AP.

 

[jgh4445]

Called CS and its on its way back to be checked out. CS rep says it should have locked the press up on a case with zero powder...it did not.

 

[fguffey]

I have two lock out dies, both work, for everything else I use powder dies, I will not load on a progressive reloader without one (powder lock out die).

I purchases a Dillon 550 B, Dillon started by telling me about their dies, seat on one, crimp on another with a 4 position tool head? I explained I could not use their press because I was not starting over on dies, they decided my dies would work.

Then there is weighing components, there is trimming, and of course there are excuses like “I must have had a double charge of powder because when I pulled the trigger my gun was rendered scrap”. When reloading I do not get into mortal combat with the press.

F. Guffey