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  #1  
Old 02-12-2012, 09:28 AM
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Default Hornady Powder Cop or Dillon Powder Check?

I guess I feel the need to screw something into Station 3 on my 650. Has anyone used either the Hornady Powder Cop or the Dillon Powder Check die?

Plusses and minuses, please.

Thanks,
~ Alan
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Old 02-12-2012, 11:12 AM
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I have the Dillon powder check die. It works as advertised.
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Old 02-12-2012, 06:30 PM
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Batteries/electronics fail, and with the powder cop you have to watch it anyway, which to me is the same as looking in the case. :/

I have RCBS lock out dies on my 650 tool heads, if the throw is off either way by more than a couple tenths you can't pull the handle through. It is only for pistol though(9mm and up).
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Old 02-12-2012, 09:07 PM
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I have and have used the Dillon powder check system and it worked as advertised. I found it easier for me to look down the hole into the case as each was at the top of the stroke. I could see the powder level in each case and that has worked just fine for me.
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Old 01-29-2014, 05:23 PM
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Spend the money for led light strips for your press, it's much easier to remain focused on your drop location and keep a visual on each powdered case.
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Old 01-29-2014, 06:23 PM
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I use the Hornady powder cop for loading 223 and the RCBS lockout die for loading 9mm. I've not had any issues with either.
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Old 01-29-2014, 07:12 PM
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I use the Dillon powder check, have the LED lighting, and look in each case. I like overlapping checks. The Dillon will chirp if you are more than .2 gr off where you originally set it. I make it a practice to test the buzzer before every session (making sure the battery has not gone dead).
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Old 01-30-2014, 03:50 AM
Ivan the Butcher Ivan the Butcher is offline
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I've been reloading on a Dillion 450 upgraded to 550B since the mid 80's. Being a 4 station press, there isn't a location for a powder check device. The only time my Dillion has run a empty case through the steps, is during set up with no powder in the measure! I suppose if you used an large grained powder on a small mouthed case, there could be a problem. I've loaded 22 Hornet for the smallest rifle, and 32 ACP for the smallest pistol. I have found that the most consistent loads come with the powder measure being filled from 1" above the baffle to 3.5" above the baffle. So I used 1/2" masking tape, and marked "the zone". If you wish to use up a press position for a Lawyer Liability Devise, that is your choice of course, but I would rather separate seat to length and crimping operations or some other type of operation. While it is not required, but using only the current Dillion powder measure is the best way to keep your progressive press loading consistent charges (I also use Dillion powder measures on my 5 Station Hornady L-N-L AP press also, not Hornady's converted monstrosity of an otherwise great powder drop!). The original 450 powder drop wasn't case mouth actuated, it was a push bar model, that was one of the most accurate drops I've ever seen. But if you didn't pay attention you could miss that step, and I think this is what got the low powder indicator involved. It is your money and your ammo, so you get to choose. Have fun. Ivan I JUST NOTICED THIS IS A 2 YEAR OLD THREAD, THE INFO IS STILL GOOD JUST NOT RELEVANT. Ivan

Last edited by Ivan the Butcher; 01-30-2014 at 03:54 AM. Reason: old post
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Old 01-30-2014, 11:14 AM
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Something old,
something new,
something borrowed,
something BLUE,
and something expensive too!

So, it's OLD and BLUE
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  #10  
Old 01-30-2014, 11:30 AM
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I have a powder cop and use it sometimes on my 650. It is nice for 38 special because even with a light, it is hard to see small charges.

Chris
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Old 01-30-2014, 12:26 PM
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I have a 650 and four complete toolheads for it in the handgun calibers I load (.38 Super, .38 Special/.357 Magnum, .44 Magnum and .45ACP). I ordered a powder check device with the loader and Dillon gave me a deal on buying three extra quick-change toolheads at one time so I added powder checks to all of them. I'm glad I have them because all I load is target ammo and with just 2.3 grains of powder going into my .38 Special cases, visually verifying the powder level in every case would be challenging. The larger-diameter and shorter .45ACP cases with 6.7 grains would be easier but I'm a creature of habit and like to do something the same way each time.

Ed
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