crumpled cartridges w/ profile crimp die

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RugerSAFan

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Using the Redding profile crimp die last night on 45LC.
I was puting a "hard crimp" on (too hard?), and noticed it took a fair amount of leverage, but no more than before.

Half way through, cartridges started "crumpling", i.e. bend in side, bulge, etc.

I've loaded 150 rds without a problem, using R-P cartridges. The cartridges that bent are F-C, first time reloaded.

I looked inside, and noticed what appeared to be a ring of lead. I got out the trustworth Hoppes 9, and let her soak for a while.

Looking downward from the top of the die, appears clean. Look from the bottom, and appears to be scored.

Questions:
1> What caused this?
2> Is the die damaged?
3> How clean die?
4> How prevent?
5> How tell how tight to set die (single stage press).

I have postponed future reloads until I figure this puppy out.

Thanks in advance.
 
Ruger, When putting a crimp on a batch of cases they all need to be the same length. If you are near over crimping a case of X brand and try to crimp a case of y brand which is the same length as x you may still have problems .

Sort your brass and trim it. This is where I would start.

HTH
 
In addition to what was correctly posted above I would suggest lightening your crimp in general. Over crimping is a very, very common occurence in reloading. I use a very weak crimp and only tighten it if the OAL is lengthening during recoil.
 
I will agree with HankL about trimming. However, Jeeper's point may not be entirely correct. If you are loading "hot" loads for .45 LC which I don't recommend anyway, you need a firm crimp to prevent bullets from pulling out of the case during recoil, especially if using heavy bullets >250 grain. I have a Ruger BH in .45 LC with a 4.5" barrel. I know about muzzle jump and bullets pulling out.

If you haven't been trimming the brass, that's the problem. If you have been trimming, are you seating/crimping in one step? If you are, .45 LC brass is pretty thin and will crumple if the bullets change diameter, or if some buildup occurs in the die. Even though dies are capable of seating and crimping in one step, I have always believed this is a bad idea.

Ryan
 
As a relatively new Redding profile crimp user, I found that using your eye to judge the crimp doesn't work. As the profile crimp does a taper crimp and then a very light roll crimp, you'll probably not notice it very much.

I get a pretty stiff 'crimp' without too much effort in .357, I've put as much of my 250# on the case as I can..without any setback..so I figure it's plenty crimped.
 
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