What is everyone using for powder checkers? I'm interested in one for the Dillon XL650 I just acquired. I like the idea of the Dillon checker since it makes noise rather than locking up the press. Plus, I don't have to watch it like some of the other designs.

I'm not terribly familiar with others that are out there. What others does the membership have experience with?

I bought two for the presses decades ago.
My opinion is that it is a learning tool more than a safe thing atleast in my case.
I watch my press systems constantly and watch what I am doing and not ever being distracted with the loading of my ammo.
They have been off my presses many years.

I use the Dillon one on my XL650. I always look in the case before placing a bullet but the cop is nice as a backup. It will of course only beep on an empty or overflowing case not if the charge is off by a grain or two.

I've been using the RCBS lock-out die for many years in station #3 on the Dillon 450/550 (since almost all of my pistol loads are cast/coated I seat and crimp in station #4)...I'll agree with 45 Cal, it shouldn't take the place of mindful/undistracted loading, but it does give a little safety cushion...once set properly the lock-out die will stop the press from advancing due to an uncharged or double charged case...IMHO they work better than the visual "powder cop" dies...

https://www.amazon.com/RCBS-87...ut-Die/dp/B004TABWJK

Dang...I don't remember the ones I bought being this expensive...you might check around locally or other web vendors

Here's a YouTube video kinda giving you an overview on how to set them up and how they work...




Link to original video: https://youtu.be/egs5GWG_Prc

I use the Dillon model on my 650

But like Riley said its not there to monitor a precise powder drop.

I have a number of different caliber toolheads for my 650, and I have a powder check die on everyone. They have caught a problem more than once.....would not reload without them.

quote:

Originally posted by GT-40DOC:
I have a number of different caliber toolheads for my 650, and I have a powder check die on everyone. They have caught a problem more than once.....would not reload without them.

What kind?

Am I right in seeing that the RCBS die only works with straight wall pistol calibers?

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:
Am I right in seeing that the RCBS die only works with straight wall pistol calibers?

Yep...the RSBS Lock Out Die only works on straight wall pistol cases...9MM and larger...I'm not sure, but I think Dillon might offer one for bottle neck rifle cases.

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:

quote:

Originally posted by GT-40DOC:
I have a number of different caliber toolheads for my 650, and I have a powder check die on everyone. They have caught a problem more than once.....would not reload without them.

What kind?

I use the Dillon Powder Check dies......zero complaints!!

I use Dillon's powder check for pistol and rifle. No complaints. Works as designed.

When I first got my 650 I was unused to auto indexing and kept screwing up and "loading" empty cases. Many squibs, one of which cost me a barrel. I bought the powder check die for it and haven't had once since, but it has got many over and under charges over the years.

I use Dillon's powder check on all my set ups.