.38spl/.357 RCBS dies

[mmsoucie]

I recently ordered a 3 die carbide set from RCBS for .38 special and .357 magnum from amazon. I got the set in the mail today and was surprised to see that both the sizing and seating dies were labeled 380 AUTO. Upon further inspection I discovered that amazon (or someone, but I assume amazon) had placed a barcode sticker over the caliber label on the RCBS sticker. The RCBS sticker is for part number 20415 and after peeling back the amazon barcode it clearly says .380 auto.
I don't know anything about the 380 AUTO except that the bullet is the same diameter. I am assuming that it would be unsafe to use these dies to reload .357 magnum. I just wanted to double check with ya'll before I yelled at amazon for sending me the wrong, and potentially dangerous product.

Thanks for the help.
-Matt

 

[X-Ring]

I would start yelling and loud.

 

[Greg Mercurio]

Amazon's return process is as painless as anything on earth. One phone call and you should have a call tag for return. One of the best in the world. You can also do it on line.

 

[au_prospector]

Dont use them, send them back.

No, you cannot load .38 spl nor load .357 magnum with these dies.

Also know, one set of dies will load both .38 spl and .357 magnum. You do not need two sets of dies.

part number 18212 shell holder 6

Welcome to the forum!

 

[gamestalker]

Certainly two different cartridges that don't have anything in common, least of all the projectile size or profile. The .380 auto with a jacketed bullet, is .355" in diameter, no canelure, thus a taper crimp to close the bell is all that's utilized.

The 38/.357 when using a jacketed bullet uses a .357" diameter projectile, which also has a canelure by which to roll crimp into.

The .380 head spaces off the case mouth, thus the rimless case head.
The 38/.357 head spaces off the case rim, thus the rimmed case head.

Yep, no similarity between them.

GS

 

[otisrush]

Between EITHER Amazon (1st choice) or RCBS (2nd choice) I would say confidence is extremely high you can get the right dies. But it's a royal pain. (I bought RCBS .38 Spcl / .357 dies just a month ago or so and they'd clearly been returned. The locking ring set screw had been stripped. RCBS was completely painless to deal with. But one has to go through the process and wait for new stuff to arrive. Argh.)

I'm more intrigued as to HOW this happened - covering up stickers and all.

 

[cfullgraf]

Products frequently pedaled by Amazon were not purchased directly from the manufacturer but are returns and overstocks from other vendors.

 

[Reloadron]

I would just drop an email to Amazon. My wife is Ms. Amazon and Amazon is great when a problem arises. Shoot them and email and normally you get a response right away. Sometimes depending on what you click on a product may drop ship from 4 or 5 different vendors, note the sold by or ships from. While all of this isn't my forte (I have my wife do all my Amazon orders) I do know Amazon is great at fixing things. No as mentioned, you can't use the dies you have and a good heads up checking things.

Ron