Redding Profile Crimp Dies

[enfieldphile]

I load all my pistol ammo on a Lee Classic Cast 4-hole turret press. I bought the Lee 4-die sets for each caliber. I have never liked the Lee factory crimp carbide handgun die.

I like the Redding Profile Crimp die design. It's a combination of taper crimp and roll crimp with an interesting crimp angle. Anyway, I replaced all the Lee crimp dies with Redding Profile Crimp dies. For .45acp, I bought a Lee taper crimp die.

Does anyone else here use the Redding Profile Crimp die? If so, Why do you feel it's a better die?


TIA

[Char-Gar]

I use them from time to time but don't think they are superior to roll or taper crimp dies. When they first came out, I bought a full set, but don't use them often any more.

[r1kk1]

They are my goto die for heavy recoil stuff. It's a combo die.

Better die???

Can't answer that as I use what works for me.

Take care

r1kk1

[btroj]

I have some, they work well. I use Lee factory crimp dies for rifle stuff and Redding crimp dies for some handgun rounds. Then again, I use other crimp dies for some handgun rounds too.

Get a good, consistent crimp and the die used doesn't matter.

[mdi]

My .44 Magnums and .357 Magnums get a profile crimp. While I haven't compared a standard roll crimp to a profile crimp , side by side, the profile crimp seems to "hold" better with a lighter/less crimp than a roll crimp. Anyway, I prefer the profile over the roll crimp...

[nicholst55]

I use one for my .45 Colt loads, and will probably buy one for .44 Mag/Spl as well. Is it "better" than anything else available? I dunno; it works, and that's all I care about.

[Idaho Mule]

I use one for most of my 32-20 stuff. The LEE and Hornady dies that I have do a crappy job of crimping in my opinion. The Redding die not only leaves a better looking crimp but it has also proven to be more accurate for my use. JW

[enfieldphile]

Perhaps the use of "better" was a poor word choice on my part.

I have them all installed. I like how the Redding die not only leaves a better looking crimp, but no noise or "clunk" feeling (like the Lee crimp die) as the round enters or exits the die.

Actually, I first got a Redding Profile Crimp die specially for .45AR a few years back. I really like the way it worked and how it finished the rounds. Recently, I decided to upgrade all my sets (w/ the exception of .45ACP, which I got a Lee Taper crimp die) to the Redding Profile Crimp dies.

Actually, I don't know why Lee doesn't package a Taper crimp die with .45ACP die sets.

I use one for my .45 Colt loads, and will probably buy one for .44 Mag/Spl as well. Is it "better" than anything else available? I dunno; it works, and that's all I care about.

[Firebird]

Redding Profile Crimp die is all I use on handgun ammo, I buy the Redding Pro Titanium sets and add a Lyman "M" die for case mouth expansion. Never have any problems with my crimp letting bullets move under recoil.

[bobthenailer]

YES ! i have the redding PCD for 357&44 mag & 454 casull

[MtGun44]

I have one for .44 Mag, but can't really see a whole lot of difference between it
and the regular roll crimp.

Bill

[fourarmed]

I was always under the impression that the PCD was primarily intended for crimping jacketed bullets.

[r1kk1]

I was always under the impression that the PCD was primarily intended for crimping jacketed bullets.

I used mine back in the 80s. Used one for heavy for cast boolit applications where the cylinder could tie up if it jumped the crimp

[gondwana]

I have them for 357, 44 and 45 Colt. Honestly though, having to lube them with a q tip every few rounds put me off them and now I just use Lee carbide crimp dies. I would really like to hear if anyone has long-term experience with them without lubing them.

[gpidaho]

I have the Redding profile die for .357 an like it. Better? When I'm crimping lubed boolits I don't worry about any more lube than what just gets on there naturally. If I'm crimping Powder coated boolits I dab a little Imperial wax lightly on the crimp area of the case about every five or six rounds. Works for me. GP

[gondwana]

I have one for .44 Mag, but can't really see a whole lot of difference between it
and the regular roll crimp.

Bill

Do you lube it Bill?

[MT Chambers]

While Redding are my fav. dies hands down, I don't believe anyone needs a special die to crimp when a standard die set has a seating die that crimps as well. Progressive presses may require some such but I stay away from progressives as I believe that they are the main cause of double charges and/or kabooms.

[Cherokee]

I have several Redding Profile Crimp dies and like the resulting finished product for 32-20, 38, 357, 45C. That make them better for me, YMMV. The other dies did not work as smoothly and the crimps were harder to adjust. Never tried the Lee handgun dies.

[mdi]

Honestly, I have never lubed a Profile Crimp die, nor heard of any need to do so...

Later; I reread all the previous posts and two "hinted" at lubing a Profile Crimp Die, with no explanation. So, who lubes their crimp die and why?

[gloob]

having to lube them with a q tip every few rounds put me off them and now I just use Lee carbide crimp dies.

All crimp dies are steel. The Lee FCDs have carbide rings, only for the post-sizing part of what they do. The part that puts on the crimp is steel, like any other die.

So far, I have never had to use lube for any crimp die, but the RPCD might benefit because of the larger surface area? I would maybe try polishing the die with some buffing compound to see if that helps.