Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Dies and Redding Profile Crimp Dies

The Glockodile

The Glockodile

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1) Ignoring the carbide sizing component, is there any significant difference between the type of crimp each delivers? For instance, as far as Redding’s rimmed cartridge dies are concerned…

Redding Profile Crimp die with 38 Spl

I just received my Redding Profile Crimp Die fir 38/357. Once I adjust the die to touch an empty case, I lower the ram and do one complete turn of the die downwards and then start crimping loaded rounds. The crimp does not seem too significant with just one turn. How much do you crimp with...
castboolits.gunloads.com

Die is adjustable. With light contact it produces a taper crimp in varying degrees, depending upon adjustment.

Turned down more the die produces a roll crimp, which is VERY substantial if die body contacts shell holder and you haven't trimmed cases!
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2) Ignoring the presence of the carbide component and the micrometer hashes, does one have any significant benefit over the other?
 
The Glockodile said:
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1) Ignoring the carbide sizing component, is there any significant difference between the type of crimp each delivers? For instance, as far as Redding’s rimmed cartridge dies are concerned…

Redding Profile Crimp die with 38 Spl

I just received my Redding Profile Crimp Die fir 38/357. Once I adjust the die to touch an empty case, I lower the ram and do one complete turn of the die downwards and then start crimping loaded rounds. The crimp does not seem too significant with just one turn. How much do you crimp with...
castboolits.gunloads.com



2) Ignoring the presence of the carbide component and the micrometer hashes, does one have any significant benefit over the other?
Click to expand...
I have both in 45acp and use the Redding exclusively when I crimp. But, I’d say they both crimp just fine but the Redding adjustment is more precise not because of the markings per se but because of finer threading.
 
The Glockodile said:
View attachment 1184333

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1) Ignoring the carbide sizing component, is there any significant difference between the type of crimp each delivers? For instance, as far as Redding’s rimmed cartridge dies are concerned…

Redding Profile Crimp die with 38 Spl

I just received my Redding Profile Crimp Die fir 38/357. Once I adjust the die to touch an empty case, I lower the ram and do one complete turn of the die downwards and then start crimping loaded rounds. The crimp does not seem too significant with just one turn. How much do you crimp with...
castboolits.gunloads.com



2) Ignoring the presence of the carbide component and the micrometer hashes, does one have any significant benefit over the other?
Click to expand...
I have had both for 9mm and really couldn’t tell any difference in how the rounds shot or accuracy. I don’t know if the micrometer hash marks make a whole lot of difference ,, on Lee dies I just take a black marker and draw a line on the top of the adjusting knob from the center to the edge just so I know how much I have turned it . I ended up selling the Redding die to a friend who wanted it very bad I got what I paid for it and now just use all Lee dies . I am currently in the experimenting stage of trying a Noe PTX die for 9mm to see if they live up to all the hype I have been told by a friend.
 
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My buddy uses a Lee on on about every pistol and most rifle stuff he loads for. I’ve only used one on a 308. It makes a big difference in some situations. I take those Lee “lock rings” and throw them in the junk. I put a Hornady split lock ring and it’s much more consistent. (I have some other brands too, but I like using the same Allen wrench to unlock them if I need to)
ETA: Though I don’t own one(yet) I definitely think the Redding (as well as most Redding stuff) is superior.
 
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LV Gun said:
I don’t know if the micrometer hash marks make a whole lot of difference
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If you measure your bullet diameter and then add the thickness of the case wall, that tell you your ideal target diameter. You can then crimp a round and measure to see how close you are to that diameter.

With the Redding die, you can increase or decrease the amount of crimp you have by .001" per hash mark, it saves a lot of trial and error of measuring and adjusting...just like using their Competition Seating die to adjust OAL
 
For a rifle cartridge, Redding for the win. It is a superior product. I have a few single Lee crimp dies for handgun cartridges, and those are the only Lee products I own. I don’t think I’d invest in Lee dies for any rifle cartridge. Maybe handguns, but then likely only if I couldn’t find any other dies and I was desperate.
 
I had a few Lee carbide post crimp sizing dies. I knocked the carbide ring out of my 44 Mag. die. Remaining crimp was just so-so. No better/worse than any other inexpensive roll crimp die. I also have Redding Profile Crimp Dies for my revolvers. I believe the Redding crimp shape is superior, easier, more precise. But, at the range I cannot tell which crimp is on the ammo I'm shooting (neither can the targets). The dies look better. I like the crimp shape better. Therefore, The Redding Profile Crimp Die is much better for my handloads...
 
The term "Factory crimp die" screams I am doing it wrong and need a quick fix. AND I know a lot of guys that I respect on this forum swear by them.
 
The Glockodile said:
View attachment 1184333

View attachment 1184334

1) Ignoring the carbide sizing component, is there any significant difference between the type of crimp each delivers? For instance, as far as Redding’s rimmed cartridge dies are concerned…

Redding Profile Crimp die with 38 Spl

I just received my Redding Profile Crimp Die fir 38/357. Once I adjust the die to touch an empty case, I lower the ram and do one complete turn of the die downwards and then start crimping loaded rounds. The crimp does not seem too significant with just one turn. How much do you crimp with...
castboolits.gunloads.com



2) Ignoring the presence of the carbide component and the micrometer hashes, does one have any significant benefit over the other?
Click to expand...

This ought to be good. The Lee FCD brings out strong opinions. They're some of my favorite threads. I use em on all my pistol rounds and really like em. It's the only pistol crimp die I've ever used.
gifbohane said:
The term "Factory crimp die" screams I am doing it wrong and need a quick fix. AND I know a lot of guys that I respect on this forum swear by them.
Click to expand...
Here's an example why I like em.
 
Thanks for the recommendations, guys.

Think I’ll try both the Lee and Redding Dies out…

…starting on .357 and .44 Magnum as my next little project.

I’ll start with one caliber, then decide on others subsequent to that.
 
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irishlad said:
This ought to be good. The Lee FCD brings out strong opinions. They're some of my favorite threads. I use em on all my pistol rounds and really like em. It's the only pistol crimp die I've ever used.
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I used them when I first started because they came highly recommended...because of the additional sizing feature.

But the OP specifically asked that this feature not be taken into consideration for this thread/discussion.

Let's try to keep this thread focused in that direction
 
ime and if memory serves, the Redding profile crimp for revolver cartridges is better when crimping into deeper/angled cannelures (especially some heavier lead designs) and putting on a harder crimp. Am using the LFC for autos, and a Redding Profile crimp for revolvers. As an aside, a regular crimp die can be superior when wanting to crimp into the cannelure of a military style angle rifle cannelure, which seems kinda rare anymore.
 
9mmepiphany said:
I used them when I first started because they came highly recommended...because of the additional sizing feature.

But the OP specifically asked that this feature not be taken into consideration for this thread/discussion.

Let's try to keep this thread focused in that direction
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I thought I had. I didn’t mention the sizing feature at all. I apologize if you think otherwise. I will unfollow the thread
 
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I use the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die for all my semi auto cartridges, and the Redding Profile Crimp die for all my revolver cartridges.

The Redding Profile crimp die does kind of a combination taper crimp and profile crimp. You can actually back the die off to get a taper crimp, or crank it down and get a very strong profile crimp without buckling your brass, or anything in between.

The Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die is a great die for taper crimping as a separate step after seating the bullet.

Be careful though, there are folks who will start twitching and convulsing at the mere mention of the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die.
 
The Glockodile said:
View attachment 1184333

View attachment 1184334

1) Ignoring the carbide sizing component, is there any significant difference between the type of crimp each delivers? For instance, as far as Redding’s rimmed cartridge dies are concerned…

Redding Profile Crimp die with 38 Spl

I just received my Redding Profile Crimp Die fir 38/357. Once I adjust the die to touch an empty case, I lower the ram and do one complete turn of the die downwards and then start crimping loaded rounds. The crimp does not seem too significant with just one turn. How much do you crimp with...
castboolits.gunloads.com



2) Ignoring the presence of the carbide component and the micrometer hashes, does one have any significant benefit over the other?
Click to expand...
To answer the last part of your Point # 2 the answer is No , they both do an excellent job at what they do, buy what you can afford.
 
I use Redding profile dies for roll crimp and taper dies for taper crimp depending on what I want. What does the die shown actually do that their standard profile and taper crimp dies cant.
 
Having numerous examples of both:the reddings are nicely finished on the inside and out and hold settings well. A redding body die followed by a Lee collett neck size requires no inside neck lube and doesn’t stretch the case. I finish handgun cases with the Lee collett crimp die, totally insensitive to case length. Also, sizing the upper portion of a handgun case (44,45,500) down to the base of the bullet with a normal carbide sizer, then size the rest of the way with a Lee carbide FCD makes running the 500 cases easier on the Lnl AP. Also they fit the chamber more closely and, if needed, holds a few more grains of slow burning powder. The Redding seater dies have a closer fit to the bullet and I find less runout with shorter bullets. So I guess there are uses for both.
 
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To me a micrometer adjustment on a crimp die might be just a bit of overkill. Nothing against Redding. Redding dies are my favorite. I have a Lee FCD for 9mm and it's a pretty remarkable die. Especially if you reload mixed range brass.
 
frogfurr said:
To me a micrometer adjustment on a crimp die might be just a bit of overkill. Nothing against Redding. Redding dies are my favorite. I have a Lee FCD for 9mm and it's a pretty remarkable die. Especially if you reload mixed range brass.
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Yes it is a remarkable die. Just look at all the remarks about it here and one hundred threads before this one:)
 
I started with the Lee FC die in most of my calibers and switched to the Redding taper crimp and profile crimp dies in several calibers. None of the dies did a bad job. I was just ready to spend some money on upgrades. The Redding dies are, of course, machined and finished like fine jewelry. I hope there is nothing wrong with liking nice tools to work with.
 
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