USPS just delivered my Redding Profile Crimp die.  The directions say to apply case lube every three to four cases...is this necessary???  Is this necessary with all crimp only type dies?  If the Lee factory crimp die does not need lube, I'll return this sucker for the Lee.  I'd like to avoid lube if at all possible.  Bummer.

I don't use any case lube, seems to wok fine.  (Didn't read the directions I guess).  I set it so there is a bit of resistance when you pull the handle on your press back up.  Crimp looks funny kind of square instead of the familiar roll, but it really got the extreme spread down on my reloads.  I really like the locking ring on it too.  

Thanks Matt.

Case lube....I don't need no stinkin' case lube  :biggrin:

Alan,

It's actually a taper/roll crimp hybrid. It is possible to get a slight galling condition with the brass and die if set too heavy. Check your cases as they come out of the die and adjust accordingly. Sometimes with cast bullets, the little bit of bullet lube near the case mouth from the previous seating operation, negates the problem.

Have fun!

Regards,


:cool:

Ahhh man.....

I suppose the smart and practical thing to do is to test both ways.  Suppose a certain someone wanted to try "with lube" but did not have case lube on hand; what might that someone use in place of said case lube?

Well.... if you have a runny nose....


:o

Seriously, I'd say try just a smidge of Vasoline if there isn't any case lube about.

Lanolin makes pretty good case lube.  It's all I use when I neck-size.

It's also the main ingredient in Dillon Case Lube, which is what I use when I full-length resize.

Mike

Also the stuff between the toes of, and this is important, your left foot. Not the right one.

You'll throw your balance off if you take it from the right foot I've found.

:biggrin:


Regards,

:cool:

Contender:  what does your crimp look like?  Mine looks almost like a step into the crimp groove instead of the familiar fold or roll.  Bout a 64th of an inch or so of the top of the case is "stepped in".   What ever it is it seems to work like a charm.  I've noticed that seating the bullets in a separate step also seems to help with consistent overall legnth.  

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Bill - I knew there was a positive to having allergies!  And Contender, I thought you told me the stuff between the left toes was better suited for bullet lube?
:confused:

Just how much crimp is enough crimp?  For those who use this die, how far do you have the die backed off from the shell plate when the ram arm is fully extended?

Matt,

Sounds like you have it there as far as crimp adjustment. That's why I said it's really a taper/roll crimp hybrid. It's not like a full taper crimp as it does have some "roll' into the crimp groove but also actually squeezes, "tapers" some of the case mouth into the boolit. This can be overdone just like any crimp. That's usually where any galling condition occurs. I would say with this crimp die and a regular taper crimp die, looks are decieving somewhat as they hold better with an appearance that looks like not enough crimp sometimes. An excessive or light roll crimp is easier to spot in contrast to these crimps.

The Lee Collet Crimper is another ball game altogether as it uses the shellholder bearing on a sliding collet in the die itself which just pushes the last 1/16" or so of the case into the bullet  with side pressure.

Alan you wildman, to be honest, I don't adjust the die that way. I usually go by the look of the crimp. You'll get a feel for it as you will see. Try a few crimps with it set too light and adjust from there.

Lastly, I myself, like to trim or make sure all case lengths are reasonably equal to one another. This will actually offer greater benefit in the long run as far as less crimp adjustment and more uniform crimps, negating especially, the dreaded "half-moon" look of a roll crimp on a case with an out of square mouth.

Have fun and don't get caught up to much in this crimp thingy.


Best Regards,


:cool:

Alan,

Congratulations on your promotion!

:biggrin:

(Edited by Contender at 4:22 pm on May 24, 2001)

Thanks for the heads-up Contender.  It's just like me to miss out on my own promotion!  The title is a misnomer actually - I have exactly one load to my credit as of late last night: .45-255g SWC/7.7 gr W231/WLPP/R P Brass.  As soon as I figure out a good crimp, I'll load up a bunch with 17.5 gr. Herc. 2400 up to 18.5 grs. with the same boolit.  I feel like I'm in Vegas  :biggrin:

Alan - clean left foot - Ransom

I bought a can of STP, a life time supply, and use it for sizing. I smear a bit on the cases do the sizing and drop the cases into the tumbler with a shot glass of rubbing alcohol and let them clean for a couple of hours.
The cases are resized, very clean and ready for the final steps.
Jim

arkypete,

That's interesting. Is that the heavy bodied goop to which you refer? Do you get any dieseling at all as evidenced by ash on the side of the case especially at the neck/shoulder junction?

I've also read that Vitalis is supposed to work also. Think Steve Herrett used to use that to form 30 Herrett cases. Never tried it.

Regards,

:cool: