Customer Reviews

Hornady Powder Cop

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This product helps me get the most accurate powder charge from my press. It aids in using a progressive press to dispense powder. I do not have to check each cartridge. Saves time in reloading.

i check, recheck, and recheck multiple times prior to new loading sessions on the powder drops, then i weigh each cartridge when i complete 50 rounds or so.

call me paranoid, but i do not wish to have anything blow up in my face. this device gives me an extra reassurance that i do not double or squib charge.

i have the hornady powder cop b/c i load 223, the RCBS is only for pistols and the dillon requires massive modifications to fit on anything other than... dillon

i grade it an "A," not quite the A+ like i would rate the RCBS lock out die or dillon with it's loud audbile tone indicator.

This die isn't just nice to have, it's great to have.

It checks powder with a rod. This rod drop into the case and indexes a little white O-ring at the top of the rod above the die body. You observe the position of this O-ring, and if it doesn't come to the same height each time, you know there is a different volume of powder in the case. An undercharge shows up as a lower O-ring. An overcharge will have the O-ring well above where you've decided to index it. That's all there is to it.

The die needs to be degreased with alcohol, or something similar, prior to use, so that no powder kernels will stick to it. Use a dryer sheet to take any static out of the inside of the die body and the rod.

The die, and component parts, are well made out of ferrous steel. You'll need to do the same rust prevention you do on your other dies/steel tools; whatever that may be.

Currently there are three similar dies that do Powder checking. This die, the RCBS equivalent (which may be even easier to set up) and one that locks the press when it detects an over or under charge.

What's good about this die is that you can see how much powder is in the case, whether it be over, under or correctly charged. Very handy to double check how well your powder measure is throwing. It's much easier than peaking into the case. So much so, in fact, that's it's definitely worth the price of the die.

I'd recommend this die, or similar one, for those reloaders that have the space on their press, progressive or turret, and like to be squared away in their reloading procedure.

If you want to fiddle around with a die, you can probably modify a Lee Universal decapping die to perform powder check functions. Of course, it may or may not work out for you, and it won't be ready right out of the box. However, if you reload a lot of different calibers, the price differential may make this approach viable.

Does what it's supposed to do. Registered over and undercharges. Make sure to lube item to ensure does not stick.

I found the powder cop easy to set up even with the very limited instructions that came with it. It should be a standard item on this press and not an option. I had loaded about 70 rounds and then no powder in a case. With out this item I would have seated a bullet in a empty case. I will not load on the progessive without it.