Redding profile crimp

[Brad]

In the past I used a couple Profile crimp dies by Redding for handgun cartridges. I finally stopped as I found they sometimes caused problems with bullets over the industry standard for a cartridge.
The 45 Colt crimp die has found a new use. It sizes the case, yes it is that snug, far enough down the case to remove the bulge left by the Marlin on new Starline cases. These cases won’t enter the chambers of the Mod 25 and that is a problem. Enter the Profile crimp die. Run an empty case into the die and it will now enter the chambers on the revolver.

And here I was expecting to have a die to make.

 

[Cherokee]

I've had good results using the Redding Profile crimp for 38, 357, 32-20, 45 Colt as crimp dies. Never thought about a sizing function. Don't have a model 25, the RCBS sizer works fine for my Uberti, Marlin, and Ruger 45 Colt SA and Redhawk.

 

[Brad]

Seems S&W can’t cut a decent forcing cone but they do k ow how to cut 45 Colt chambers to decent dimensions.
Ruger and Marlin seem to hint a 45 Colt chamber needs to be wallowed out on the back end so a fired case looks like a pregnant sow.

 

[358156 hp]

My use for Profile Crimps is pretty much limited to jacketed bullets any more. Like Brad mentioned, they are prone to squishing oversized bullets down, and that doesn't always work for me. I see some others are working with the Profile Crimp design for unsized wadcutter use, and that looks pretty interesting. A side note about roll crimps, has anyone noticed the huge variance in roll crimp profiles, even from the same die manufacturers anymore? Just another reason so many of us use Frankenstein die sets anymore I suppose.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I have a large assortment of dies (I'm sure we all do) and occasionally even mix different manufacturers of dies on the same tool head.

Although I have accumulated an eclectic mix of dies over the years, I tend to gravitate towards Redding and RCBS, with a favoritism for Redding.
I have nothing but praise for Redding equipment and my only complaint is the cost. However, most tools are a "once in lifetime" acquisition and when possible, I prefer to only buy it once.

The Redding Profile crimp dies needs to be set properly because there is a slight taper before the case reaches the portion of the die that creates the roll crimp. The RCBS dies lack that taper and just roll the case mouth into the crimp groove of the bullet.
In FULL disclosure here, it took some time before I learned that the Redding Profile crimp dies were different from other crimp dies. That being said, once I knew what I was doing (or at least had a slight clue about what I was doing) I have been very impressed with the Redding dies.

 

[Brad]

I like the Profile Crimp dies a ton, just not for a .432 bullet in 44 mag. That .432 bullet will get squeezed down too much and end up being maybe .430-.431. My revolver doesn’t like that at all.
For jacketed bullets, of “nominal size” for the cartridge they are awesome.

I have learned to make my own crimp dies to get what I want. Things like .433 bullet really mess with almost any crimp die you can buy.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I'm not dealing with bullets that fat in 44 so the Redding die works for me.

 

[Cherokee]

Brad - I see what you mean.

 

[Charles Graff]

I have a large assortment of dies (I'm sure we all do) and occasionally even mix different manufacturers of dies on the same tool head.

Although I have accumulated an eclectic mix of dies over the years, I tend to gravitate towards Redding and RCBS, with a favoritism for Redding.
I have nothing but praise for Redding equipment and my only complaint is the cost. However, most tools are a "once in lifetime" acquisition and when possible, I prefer to only buy it once.

The Redding Profile crimp dies needs to be set properly because there is a slight taper before the case reaches the portion of the die that creates the roll crimp. The RCBS dies lack that taper and just roll the case mouth into the crimp groove of the bullet.
In FULL disclosure here, it took some time before I learned that the Redding Profile crimp dies were different from other crimp dies. That being said, once I knew what I was doing (or at least had a slight clue about what I was doing) I have been very impressed with the Redding dies.

When the Profile Crimp dies first appeared on the market, I bought one in each of the handgun cartridges I load for. Like you, I discovered they were a combo taper and roll crimp dies. I found little advantage to them over straight taper or roll crimp dies. However there were some uses where they truly shine. I load 45 Auto Rim for DA revolvers in 45 ACP and 45 Cowboy Special for SA revolvers with 45 ACP cylinders., A roll crimp would created a bulge that made the round impossible to chamber. A taper crimp could not be used in the Keith bullet crimp groove. A Profile Crimp die proved to be the solution with taper crimp and light roll crimp that went into the bullet crimp groove and yet did not bulge the case.

 

[Will]

This is kind of off topic but my solution for crimping oversize .432-.433 bullets in the 44 mag was to use the lee factory crimp die. Once the carbide sizing ring is knocked out of the bottom of the die I don’t have any trouble with bullet deformation.

 

[david s]

I load heavy bullets for a S&W 329 Airweight revolver. These tend to jump crimp. So first I crimp heavily with a Lee crimp die. This leaves the cartridge with a slight "muffin top" profile. They then get run into a Redding profile taper crimp die just enough to smooth things back out. It's one more step but my bullets no longer jump crimp.

 

[358156 hp]

Lee also makes a collet type Factory Crimp Die for 44 mag.

 

[DHD]

My use for Profile Crimps is pretty much limited to jacketed bullets any more. Like Brad mentioned, they are prone to squishing oversized bullets down, and that doesn't always work for me. I see some others are working with the Profile Crimp design for unsized wadcutter use, and that looks pretty interesting. A side note about roll crimps, has anyone noticed the huge variance in roll crimp profiles, even from the same die manufacturers anymore? Just another reason so many of us use Frankenstein die sets anymore I suppose.

I find this to be the case for me too. I'll use them for jacketed bullets in my revolvers, but I'll use a regular roll crimp die for my cast bullets.

I was having an issue with my new FA97 in 327 and should have paid more attention. Between the undersize expander (M Die @ .3095") and a good squeeze by the Redding PCD, my bullets were .3117" when I pulled some. They went into the cases @ .3127".
The bore is .312" of course. A NOE edpander in the Lee die and the Lyman roll crimp made the little revolver behave like a super model.

I see where others mentioned having an eclectic collection of dies and I both applaud them and resemble them....

 

[Outpost75]

If you have an older .45 Colt revolver, 1894 Marlin or H&R Handi-Rifle which requires .454 bullets, decap fired brass with the Lee Universal decapper. Then use a .125" spacer to back off the Redding Profile Crimp die and use that to FL size your LUBRICATED cases. Next use the RCBS Cowboy expander to flare the case mouths, lightly tumble-clean, prime and charge powder, seat bullets to depth only with your BACKED OFF seater die WITHOUT crimping, then REMOVE the .125" spacer from your Redding Profile Crimp die and use that again to profile your loaded rounds and execute a perfectly-formed roll crimp, without excessively sizing cases. The brass lasts almost forever!

 

[DHD]

If you have an older .45 Colt revolver, 1894 Marlin or H&R Handi-Rifle which requires .454 bullets, decap fired brass with the Lee Universal decapper. Then use a .125" spacer to back off the Redding Profile Crimp die and use that to FL size your LUBRICATED cases. Next use the RCBS Cowboy expander to flare the case mouths, lightly tumble-clean, prime and charge powder, seat bullets to depth only with your BACKED OFF seater die WITHOUT crimping, then REMOVE the .125" spacer from your Redding Profile Crimp die and use that again to profile your loaded rounds and execute a perfectly-formed roll crimp, without excessively sizing cases. The brass lasts almost forever!

I like this idea! Not so much for my 45's, but for my 327. The Lyman dies really like to oversize the cases. I'm going to try it and see. Need to be able to use the die for something as it is too tight for crimping with cast bullets.