Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
Armory Sponsor
4/16/2015 9:03:05 AM EDT
I load on a Hornady lnl ap. Is a powder cop worth the piece of mind that it can give. For loading .223 and 300 blk..
4/16/2015 9:05:53 AM EDT
[#1]
That's up to you... FWIW - I have a powder cop - but I rarely use it when loading rifle. I tend to leave station 4 open and just perform a visual. YMMV
4/16/2015 10:41:07 AM EDT
[#2]
I started out using the Powder Cop loading .223 on my LnL AP, but I found myself "peaking" all the time anyway.

I have simply gravitated away from using it, but instead, have set up my LnL with both an LED light strip and a shotgun shell LED in the center hole at the top.

With PLENTY of light, I feel a lot more confident actually looking into the charged case than I did looking for movement of a little stick.

I think that if I ever want to go back to an automatic powder checker, I would instead set up an LED warning light that would be tripped by an off charge. You know, something that would make me jump and fall off my stool. That would be nice. ;)
4/16/2015 11:53:29 AM EDT
[#3]
I have one and I don't use it for rifle.  Most of the time my cases are pretty full and its easy just to do a visual check to make sure they are okay.  I will run a powder die for pistol, but I prefer the RCBS lockout die.  With that die you are still covered if you somehow get distracted.
4/16/2015 12:00:01 PM EDT
[#4]
I used to use the Dillon version for high volume pistol reloading.  It saved me from a few squibs while using, ironically, a powder that's supposed to meter the best: Titegroup.  Dunno why, but it would sometimes bridge in the Dillon measure.

For rifle, I just do a visual check and take my time.  It's just not as quick as pistol reloading.
4/16/2015 12:21:05 PM EDT
[#5]
Ok i was just asking . I have yet to load any rifle on my Ap yet. Always single stage.
4/16/2015 2:56:54 PM EDT
[#6]
Never bothered with using one, I have enough lighting over my bench that I can easily see inside the cases on my 550.



Since I've also switched to wet tumbling my brass, the difference between black powder and shiny brass has even easier to see.



If I had a large, super high volume machine like a 1050, I would consider one since it doesn't seem to have as much room to inspect inside each case.
4/16/2015 3:25:11 PM EDT
[#7]
I used to use one for reloading pistol on my progressive but since I added a bullet feeder I don't have room.

Now I have a small USB camera between the powder drop station and the bullet feeder, plugged into a nice big monitor, so I can easily get a well-lit, magnified look in every case.

$12 free shipping

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Factory-Outlet-Newest-Upgraded-Mini-2M-cable-9mm-Lens-Borescope-USB-Tube-Snake-Endoscope-Inspection-Camera/622005250.html

4/16/2015 5:15:36 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Quoted:
I used to use one for reloading pistol on my progressive but since I added a bullet feeder I don't have room.

Now I have a small USB camera between the powder drop station and the bullet feeder, plugged into a nice big monitor, so I can easily get a well-lit, magnified look in every case.

$12 free shipping

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Factory-Outlet-Newest-Upgraded-Mini-2M-cable-9mm-Lens-Borescope-USB-Tube-Snake-Endoscope-Inspection-Camera/622005250.html

View Quote

I do something like this, too.  When I added tons of light for the camera, I could also see when pistol cases were (or not) charged with powder without the camera.  For rifle, I'll stick with watching via the camera.
4/17/2015 1:53:59 PM EDT
[#9]
Don't really watch amount of powder in rifle case - don't know how I would put 46 gr in a .223 case. After loading, for 3 gun matches, I'll then weigh the rounds to assure powder was added. Pistol loading I visual after dropping powder.
4/17/2015 2:24:21 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Quoted:
I used to use the Dillon version for high volume pistol reloading.  It saved me from a few squibs while using, ironically, a powder that's supposed to meter the best: Titegroup.  Dunno why, but it would sometimes bridge in the Dillon measure.

For rifle, I just do a visual check and take my time.  It's just not as quick as pistol reloading.
View Quote



The more often you set it up, the easier it gets.  For low volume work ups, I just eyeball each case.
4/17/2015 5:02:22 PM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
I load on a Hornady lnl ap. Is a powder cop worth the piece of mind that it can give. For loading .223 and 300 blk..
View Quote
What represents one preson's peace of mind is another person's belt, suspenders, and a rope :)

If you don't have a bullet feeder, I'd shout a loud YES it's worth the effort. You lose nothing. You do not ever have to look inside a case. And the Hornady powder cop can help you see smaller powder variations than just empty/double vs single charge . . . if that's important to you.

I'd also advise checking the cop die during setup with a single charge (necessary) and an empty case to ensure the tube is in fact going into the case correctly . . . don't ask me how I know that :)
4/17/2015 8:32:06 PM EDT
[#12]
I use the Dillon powder check on my 650. I wouldn't load pistol without it.



I still load all of my rifle on a single stage, but many over my rifle loads are compressed loads so they're not fitting much more powder. A visual check works fine.
Armory Sponsor