Powder level checker

[abunaitoo]

I'm sure this has been done before. I just thought of it, but I'm sure there are many smarter than me.
I was loading 30 Carbine on my Lee 1000. I was having problems with the Lee Disc not throwing enough powder.
Being the 1000 is a progressive, I wanted to have something that would check the powder charge fast. Didn't want to keep on having to look into the shell to check the powder level.
It's a three hole press. I prime off the press, so I only used two dies. Powder drop/flair and seat/crimp.
What I did was use a Lee cast boolet sizing die, make a rod to fit into the shell, and something to keep the rod from falling through the die.
I used a long bolt with the head cut off, two nuts and a washer.
I ajusted the nuts/washer so that the rod is bumped up a little when the shell is pushed into the sizing die.
If it dosen't go up, I know its a low charge. If it goes to high, it's and over charge.
Not reall accurate, but fast and simple. Good enough for my Carbine load.

PS. I did find later that my Lee disc was sticking sometimes. This would keep it from returning all the way filling the hole. There was a bur. Fixed and lubed it. Problem solved.

[TES]

Might have to borrow this idea! Nice!

[dragonrider]

Very clever idea. well done.

[jmorris]

Pretty much the same way the Dillon and some other PC dies work.

The dillon has a grove machined in the top part of the system that can be adjusted up or down so as the "wood pecker" part won't alarm if you are close (how close depends on the powder, brass arbor and case) high or low.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/reloading/DSC02167.jpg

It normally sounds an alarm and I check it every 100 primers before starting, like in this video.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/reloading/bullet%20feeder/th_VID_20130305_152550_802_zps7819706b.jpg (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/reloading/bullet%20feeder/VID_20130305_152550_802_zps7819706b.mp4)


The last machine I setup I wired into it, to eliminate the battery, and connected it to the PLC power supply. This one is a video too.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/th_VIDEO0114.jpg (http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/VIDEO0114.mp4)

[Garyshome]

Great Idea!

[John Allen]

Any reason that you can not put a dillon powder check on a lock and load? I was thinking about doing mine up with it..

[blueeyephil]

Hornaday and RCBS both make a powder check die that basically works like you are talking about. You still have to look at them to verify they have moved the correct amount. They can be adjusted for different loads and give an indication of double load or squib. But they can't tell you if you are right on the load you want.

But RCBS makes a powder check lock out die that will stop your press if double or too small a load comes through. More expensive but much better too. It's less expensive than a Dillon I expect and is just a single die so it will work on your machine. The Dillon might not. I have a LnL progressive and now a Dillon 650xl I just got. I like the Dillon powder check, I just don't know if it would fit every progressive press. The RCBS lockout will. I expect to use it as I set up a new tool head for my Dillon since I already have it.

[L Erie Caster]

The Dillon needs a clearance hole for the push rod, so it may not work at least not without modification.

[John Allen]

I have the hornady one myself it works well but I like the idea of the buzz incase of forget to look. I figure a little extra safety is not a bad thing.