What's the best/smoothest 9mm taper crimp die?

[Scarlett Pistol]

Thank you very much Wobbly!!!

[Wobbly]

To follow up....  several weeks on I'm using the Redding Taper Crimp Die in place of the Dillon TC die and liking the results. So much so that I will not be going back, even though the Dillon is probably its equal.

I'm using Dillon Case Lube Spray which helps lubricate the sizing and crimping processes. I simply feel that my whole cartridge case forming and shaping has taken a big step forward.

 

[Ktm45]

Wobbly.... I remember you mentioning that Redding Pro-series (#94172 ) seating die that at the time was on sale at Midway. It was a very good recommendation and I like it much better than my Dillon!!. (I do wish it had different style fine adjustment lock nut ala hex nut).    That being said do you think the Redding taper crimp die is worth changing also?

[Wobbly]

I'm going to be using it because it was $40 for a single die, and so now either the Dillon or the Redding has to sit on the shelf. This is what was previously said, and I'm sticking to it...

However, if you are currently using a Dillon or Hornady taper crimp die, I cannot say that you will see differences worth the added $40 cost of the Redding. It's better than the Lee TCD, but again, probably not worth the price difference. That is, unless you're looking for more consistent crimp results on mixed length brass.

[CzechnoWizard]

I use the Lee FCD because I prefer to seat and crimp separately. I've seen some fine brass dust in the finished shell catcher and much more so in my vibratory polisher. I suspect more of it comes from chambering rounds and polishing than from the crimper but in any case I have brass that's been loaded weekly for over 5 years with no degradation attributable to the fcd.  If you got a bad one from Lee, why not take advantage of their warranty and ask for a replacement?

Also, I tend to get a tad aggressive with the expander, as I load plated bullets on a progressive moving rather quickly. A generous flare aids in keeping bullets in place during index and aligns them for the seater. The downside is that the mouth may drag on the carbide ring in the bottom of the fcd. This is probably the source of most of the dust. Backing off your expander a little might help.

[JRR]

I have been using the Redding taper crimp die for about 1.5 years now.  It is smooth!  When running the case into it you don't feel as if you are hitting a steep inclined wall.  Butter like smoothness.  I have never felt that post seating, full length sizing was necessary, even using oversized cast bullets at .358-.359 in.