Redding 38 Spec / 357 Mag profile crimp & Taper crimp dies !

Mowgli Terry

Active Member
I'm not sure about the difference between " J " and lead bullet expander dies. How would I know the difference going out to buy ordinary dies in the Big Box?

Added: I get the idea we are talking about different generations or designs of Redding dies. If I attempted to make a roll crimp as in Lyman or RCBS the case would collapse.
 
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Winelover

North Central Arkansas
I'm not sure about the difference between " J " and lead bullet expander dies. How would I know going out to buy ordinary dies in the Big Box?
Purchase the RCBS Cowboy dies for the straight walled pistol cartridges...........otherwise purchase a Lyman M die (expander) and swap out the the undersized one. RCBS also offers optional/different size expander/spuds for their rifle dies...................sold separately.
 
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RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Purchase the RCBS Cowboy dies for the straight walled pistol cartridges...........otherwise purchase a Lyman M die (expander) and swap out the the undersized one. RCBS also offers optional/different size expander/spuds for their rifle dies...................sold separately.
You can also buy the RCBS Cowboy expander parts; I have one for the 38 S&W made for .360" cast bullets.
 

Mowgli Terry

Active Member
What you guys are telling me is that over the counter dies have to have some add-ons to work best. The exception is RCBS Cowboy dies.

I use a 550 for my lead bullet revolver rounds. The expander/power funnels work very well here for loading lead bullets. In rifle lead bullet applications I have used the expander plugs NOE sells for the Lee Universal expander. I have not used my M dies in a long time. They work.
 
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Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
I have just the opposite experience with Dillon powder funnels (powder through expanders). The Dillon powder funnels are too small for most cast bullets, and they flare the casing like a bell instead of putting the parallel mouth on the casing like a Lyman “M” die profile. Dillon expanders work fine for jacketed bullets, but I generally find them to be too small and too shallow for cast bullets.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love Dillon equipment, and this isn’t a huge problem. You just replace the expander with a custom made one that is sized and shaped correctly for cast bullets.

I have two 550 toolheads set up for 38 Special, one WC and one SWC, so I don’t have to readjust the dies when switching bullet types. Both tool heads have custom expanders in the powder dies. The custom expanders are game changers and make a HUGE difference.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Used my friend's Dillon 550 once, and decided I had no use for one. RCBS single stage for me, with a Harrell's turret for commonly loaded stuff.
 

Walks

Well-Known Member
I bought a Dillon 450 when they came out for $185. Didn't work for "beans" dillon had more excuses then I could count. Sold it off to a guy that managed to blow up a M&P Victory, italian SAA clone and a Browning B92.
Never bought anything from dillon again.
 

Mowgli Terry

Active Member
I fully realize there are many ways to get where we wanna be. I have loaded both revolver and automatic lead bullets rounds with Dillon dies successfully. For me for the Dillon expander must be adjusted right. It does not take much to make a"bugle mouth." Also, the brass thickness and bullet diameter plays a sizeable role in this dance. I got two 550's going and have not loaded a "J" bullet lately. This is a classic case of YMMV.

Really like the way Dillon bullet seaters are made. It's easy to clean the innards and adjust for different bullet shapes. The only problem I have ever had was seating some ancient Lyman 35863 WC's flush in the case. I use the Redding Profile Crimp die in the 38 Special tool head. Setting up tool heads for 38 Special and 357, for example, saves a world of time.
 

Mowgli Terry

Active Member
There were some pretty drastic changes from 450 to 550. I got a coffee can full bits and pieces from a converted 450. I'd be reluctant to trash Dillon's based on an experience with a 450. It's like not caring for Fords today because of the Pinto.
 
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Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
Here is a Dillon Powder funnel for 38/357.

Note there is no "step" like a "M" die style expander. It simply expands the case and then transitions to a simple flare. The deeper you push the expander into the casing, the more "trumpet bell" or flare will be imparted to the case mouth.

Note the lower portion of the expander is undersized (About .354") No amount of adjustment will make that dimension change.

.354" is generally too small for most cast bullets in that caliber.

DSCN0135.JPGDSCN0137.JPG
 
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Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
DSCN0140.JPGHere is a custom made expander with a Lyman "M" die style "Step" and larger dimensions suited for cast bullets.
DSCN0138.JPGThe main portion of the expander is roughly .357"
DSCN0139.JPGAnd the "Step" is roughly .360"
 
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Winelover

North Central Arkansas
Not crazy about Dillion dies. Purchased a 44 Magnum seating/crimping die. Didn't care for the way it roll crimped. It is currently set for one particular cast bullet without crimping. Crimping is done with a RCBS dedicated crimping die. BTW, what type of metal does Dillion use on their dies? Doesn't look like tool steel to me. First and last time I ever purchased a Dillon die.

I'm a dedicated single stage press user. Even my Hollywood Senior Turret is used as a single stage. I size and deprime in the RCBS JR and then use the Turret for expanding and seating rifle rounds. Pistol and revolver reloading is all done on the Junior.
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
I have all sorts of Dies, some mounted on Dillon toolheads and a bunch more used on single stage presses. It is common for me to have Redding, RCBS and Dillon dies all on the same Dillon 550 toolhead. I use what works for me and don't get too excited about the name on the die.

I have no real complaints about Dillon dies other than the expanders are undersized for cast bullets. The expanders (powder funnels) can be swapped out, so that's a minor complaint.

As for what steel Dillon uses for their dies? I'm not sure, but I've yet to wear one out.
 
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Mowgli Terry

Active Member
.354" is generally too small for most cast bullets in that caliber.
Your figures agree with what I got here. Also checked my M die which agrees with what you are sharing. Based on my experience loading and shooting lead bullets in several calibers there is no problem. I have no problem with what you are sharing. My feelings are if it's not broke don't try to fix. I wonder how many pounds of lead bullets are being successfully being loaded with Dillon Dies as we speak?

Added: Also, how does the inside diameter of my sized case factor in?
 
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Walks

Well-Known Member
The blame for those results doesn't rest on the equipment. That's operator error.
It's the equipment, yes.
But alot of My dislike for dillon was their Cust Serv attitude. They CS rep blamed Me for choosing Win SPP's and Ball Powder. Actually inferred that I didn't know anything about reloading.
And this was long before they made their own dies.

"Burn Me once".