How I use the Powder Drop Die and Powder Measure On a Turret Press

Soon after I started using the turret press I realized that I needed to include a charging station to speed things up.   I already had a Uniflow powder measure but it sits too low when screwed into the turret and the other dies interfeared with it's operation so I started looking for a better way.   I found an extender which raised the powder measure above the other dies which looked OK but I had noticed RCBS Case Activated Powder Measure and Hornady's Case Activated Powder Drop, so I gave them a closer look.   They were both for progressive presses but I couldn't find anything wrong with using them on my turret as long as everything cleared the notch at the rear.   The Hornady was cheaper so I decided to try one.
Now the write ups were sketchy but I figured out what I needed and ordered a set.    

I use the CAPD (Case Activated Powder Drop) by Hornady (RCBS also makes one, CAPM, its more expensive) and I use the RCBS powder expander die in the powder drop.   This allows me to eliminate one operation (ram stroke) from the sequence.   The CAPD flares the case while charging it in a single stroke of the ram.   The Hornady expander dies are difficult to use because they're rough and have a long contact area, making it VERY difficult to pull the case back out of the expander die.   The RCBS expanders are smoother and have a gradual, constant taper in the flaring area where the Hornady's diameter is a little larger than the bullet for a long distance, then abruptly flares out leaving the case stuck on the large diameter area, polishing helps a little, turning it down helps a lot.   Please click here to see the CAPD and expanders.
Next step is to get the "Hornady Quick Change Powder Through Expander Linkage" to make it a little easier on the Uniflow.

After I had loaded a few thousand rounds, I started thinking about reducing the number of strokes to load a single round.   After trying the Lee expanders (rough as a cob even after polishing) I switched to RCBS Carbide expanders which is the smoothest I have found, but it rquires and extra die and stroke of the press ram.   Soon I noticed the powder through expanders from Hornady and RCBS, again, I decided to give them a closer look.
The Hornadys looked OK and I was using the Hornady CAPD so I tried one caliber.   It did what it advertised but it was really difficlut to get the case out of the expander (like the Lee only not as bad).   I polished the expander shoulder which helped a lot but was still rough.   Next I got an RCBS powder through expander for the same caliber, it had to be polished also but worked a lot smoother (still not as smooth as a carbide expander die though).   The only problem with the RCBS was the .355 (9mm Luger) expander protruded too low to pass through the turret press rear notch the Hornady worked fine.   I ended up using RCBS for all except the .355.  

Uniflow powder measure and Hornady Case Activated Powder Drop linkage and Quick Change Powder Die on my RCBS Turret Press.   I have a Quick Change Powder Die on each of my turrets, note the CAPMs on each turret.

Uniflow powder measure with Case Activated linkage and special drop tube that fits into the powder die.

The powder die which Hornady calls their "Quick Change" powder die, I have one for each turret.

The powder die without the Uniflow.

The .45 cal expander sticking out under the turret.   You can't see the end of the powder die, the RCBS expander has 3/4" longer setback of the shoulder than the Hornady, so the powder die must be set higher (unscrewed).

9mm RCBS and Hornady expander dies.

RCBS and Hornady expander dies with their allignment shoulders lined up, you can see why the RCBS protrudes much further (3/4") below the turret.   I'm curious if the RCBS powder die's internal shoulder is higher than the snap ring in the Hornady?   RCBS doesn't advertise the CAPM for anthing other than it's Pro 2000 progressive press, If they just made a collar to raise it and a little shorter powder measure extension, it would work fine in the turret.   Certainly the RCBS CAPM without the expander works fine int the turret.

There is about 3/4" difference between the allignment shoulders.   Also notice I have to polish the Hornady expander so it doesn't stick when I withdraw the case from the die.