I received a Redding Competition Pro Series Dual Ring Carbide 3 Die Set and I noticed the crimp die is marked "Taper Cr". I was expecting the 357 die set to come with what Redding calls a "Profile Crimp" die for 38/357. I'm not sure which kind of crimp I want to use, but I'm mostly accustomed to a roll crimp on 357 and I'm not so sure I want a taper crimp.
So I read in Redding's literature and there is simply no details about the crimp die that comes with this die set. Not surprisingly, the literature focuses on the dual ring sizing die's features.
Elsewhere in the catalog, I read, "The Redding Taper Crimp Die Set is designed for cartridges used in handguns with headspace on the case mouth and where more conventional roll crimping is not preferred. For people who do reloading and want a taper crimp and more uniformity, the set is also available for certain revolver cartridges."
I understand there are reasons to sometimes use a taper crimp even with a cartridge that headspaces on the rim, such as when crimping frangible bullets. But why would Redding select this type of crimp for a dual ring carbide die set?
Presently, I have been using a Lee Factory Crimp Die for 357. I consider this to be a "roll" crimp die. It curls the mouth of the brass case into the cannelure or crimp groove of the bullet. Even on plated bullets with no cannelure or crimp groove, it can be adjusted to incise the plating.
I tried using the Redding die and found it does indeed form what appears to be a taper crimp only. Even at an extreme adjustment, it just tapers more of the case neck.
I can use this for frangible bullets and possibly Berry's plated hollowpoints that do not have a crimp groove or cannelure. Is there any reason I want to use this taper crimp for bullets that do have a groove or cannelure?
Is there an advantage to this taper crimp die? Or should I get a Micro-adjustable Profile Crimp die?
So I read in Redding's literature and there is simply no details about the crimp die that comes with this die set. Not surprisingly, the literature focuses on the dual ring sizing die's features.
Elsewhere in the catalog, I read, "The Redding Taper Crimp Die Set is designed for cartridges used in handguns with headspace on the case mouth and where more conventional roll crimping is not preferred. For people who do reloading and want a taper crimp and more uniformity, the set is also available for certain revolver cartridges."
I understand there are reasons to sometimes use a taper crimp even with a cartridge that headspaces on the rim, such as when crimping frangible bullets. But why would Redding select this type of crimp for a dual ring carbide die set?
Presently, I have been using a Lee Factory Crimp Die for 357. I consider this to be a "roll" crimp die. It curls the mouth of the brass case into the cannelure or crimp groove of the bullet. Even on plated bullets with no cannelure or crimp groove, it can be adjusted to incise the plating.
I tried using the Redding die and found it does indeed form what appears to be a taper crimp only. Even at an extreme adjustment, it just tapers more of the case neck.
I can use this for frangible bullets and possibly Berry's plated hollowpoints that do not have a crimp groove or cannelure. Is there any reason I want to use this taper crimp for bullets that do have a groove or cannelure?
Is there an advantage to this taper crimp die? Or should I get a Micro-adjustable Profile Crimp die?
