dies for 38sp/357mag

[trekker73]

Fellas is it just the one set of dies to load both? And will the standard Lee 4 die set cover everything I need to do with both jacketed and cast bullets. I'll also load light cowboy loads that need a decent crimp to burn well.Thanks for any advice.

 

[mcb]

Yes and Yes.

 

[trekker73]

Thankyou Sir

 

[Dunross]

Yes, you can load both with the same set of dies.

BUT, if you're going to be loading much of both you'll find it worth your while to set up two different die sets so as to not have to continually readjust every time you want to change from one to the other.

 

[trekker73]

That makes sense

 

[WestKentucky]

Some makers supply a washer for the dies to raise them up exactly the difference in length between 38 and 357. I prefer to adjust each time I set up though, if nothing else it lets me verify that I am dialed in to where I want to be.

 

[Spade5]

I use the spacer mentioned above and it works well for me.

 

[Jim Watson]

I lost my .135" spacer but still have the .125" spacer. Kind of a drag, I load lots more .38s and .357s than I do .44 Special and Magnum.

 

[trekker73]

Fellas by the way, what primer type for these cartridges, does one cover both?

 

[WestKentucky]

Kinda. 38s use small pistol, 357 is a mix of small pistol and small pistol magnum.

 

[Muddydogs]

You won't have to readjust the sizer die once set for either one, the belling and seating die will need to be adjusted. Been so long since I purchased a new set of dies I'm not sure if they still come with a spacer or not but at least RCBS dies used to come with a spacer so once the dies were set for 38 the spacer was added so they were close for 357.

For crimping I think an aftermarket crimp die is better to use then the crimp feature in the seating die, sure the seating die crimp works just fine but a dedicated crimp die is a lot easier to use. A lot of people like the Lee Factory Crimp die but be aware that it will size the whole round to factory specs with its carbide sizer ring. I do use the Lee FCD in a couple applications but prefer the Lee Taper Crimp die that just crimps the case mouth with no bullet or case sizing. The Lee 4 die set comes with the FCD.

I've never gotten into Lee dies except for there crimp dies and some cast bullet sizing dies. If I need a new die set I go with Hornady or RCBS and never really give Lee a look. Some guys like the Lee stuff but there is enough bad press out there that I just don't feel it's worth saving the couple buck using Lee dies over RCBS or Hornady. Anymore I end up picking my die sets up off the used market and I hardly ever see Lee dies for sale used.

 

[Muddydogs]

Fellas by the way, what primer type for these cartridges, does one cover both?

You can get away with either one as long as you work up your load watching for pressure signs. For years all I loaded was CCI mag primers in all my loads from 380 ACP to 375 H&H. Some powders burn better with mag primers in the 357 case so I always erred on the mag side of primers. A few years ago when primers were hard to find I ended up purchasing some standard CCI primers which when loaded in the same load I had with mag primers I can tell no difference. Only time I have found that standard primers made a difference over mag primers was my .204 Ruger where standard primers helped tighten up the group by a 1/2" or so.

 

[trekker73]

Thanks Muddydogs, I have owned RCBS in rifle calibres previously. Regards Hornady dies is this the same product marketed as Hornady American Series dies?

 

[Muddydogs]

Thanks Muddydogs, I have owned RCBS in rifle calibres previously. Regards Hornady dies is this the same product marketed as Hornady American Series dies?

I've only purchase the custom dies in the red box, I have no experience with the American dies.

 

[Bill M.]

I made it simple. I just stopped loading .38 special cases. Unless you have a .38 special only gun why load it?

 

[Walkalong]

Yes, but most of us end up with two sets for convenience.

Have you seen the spacers for .38/.357 or .44 Spl/.44 Mag dies? I have the set.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012453382

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012401468?pid=189290

Hard to go wrong with a set of RCBS pistol dies.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I lost my .135" spacer but still have the .125" spacer. Kind of a drag, I load lots more .38s and .357s than I do .44 Special and Magnum.

Here ya go, a replacement.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012401468?pid=189290

Edit: I see Walkalong already posted the links.

 

[George P]

The RCBS spacer works just fine for going from 38 to 357; I have never had any issues seating and crimping with the same die. Since I load only two different bullet types (SWC and WC) I did buy a second seater and set it up for WC. Otherwise, crank them out and go shoot.

 

[AJC1]

You're dealing or asking a question with exactly what I'm dealing with right now if you plan on getting a set of Lee dies you might as well get them directly from Lee and order a seating stem that matches your mold exactly from the outset

 

[ballman6711]

Yes, you can load both with the same set of dies.

BUT, if you're going to be loading much of both you'll find it worth your while to set up two different die sets so as to not have to continually readjust every time you want to change from one to the other.

I also bought a set for .38 and a second set for .357.

Thanks Muddydogs, I have owned RCBS in rifle calibres previously. Regards Hornady dies is this the same product marketed as Hornady American Series dies?

My very first set of dies was the Hornady American Series in 45acp. Took them home expecting to set them up and make my first rounds ever. When I opened the package and inspected them they had rust and small pits inside. Took them back and exchanged them for RCBS. Maybe I got a bad set, but I haven't touched the American Series dies since. I do however have and use the Hornady dies in the red box, and like them.

I also seat and crimp in separate steps on a single stage, and I've started buying a set of RCBS carbide dies and a single Hornday seater die with the sliding sleeve. I set them up to size and flair with the RCBS, then seat with the Hornady, then crimp with the RCBS. Works for me, and the RCBS boxes have enough space to store the fourth die.

chris

 

[santacruzdave]

With retirement came time, with time on my hands I reset my 38/.357 Lee 4 die set each time I change calibers. It's a good practice for me to dial in the dies and set the seating die for the type of projectile I'm loading at the time. I load revolver rounds on a Lee classic turret press, 4 dies, 4 holes, for fun. I do have other turrets set up for .44, and .45. Love the ability to choose what works for me.

Good luck and happy reloading!

 

[cfullgraf]

I reloaded both 357 Mag and 38 Special for many many years using the spacer. It worked fine.

I did not have a 38 Special gun at the time so I eventually stopped loading 38 Special ammunition. If I wanted light loads, I’d just 357 Mag cases.

Eventually, I got a few revolvers chambered for 38 Special. I was loading on a progressive by this time and it was more convienient to have two sets of dies, one for each cartridge.

Bottom line, most 357 Mag dies will also load 38 Special so you can choose what ever floats your boat.

 

[FROGO207]

I would reccomended carbide dies and get the 38 SPL or combo marked dies. I have run into 357 dies that are so deep that the die bottomed out before I had the crimp I wanted on the shorter 38 SPL brass.

 

[Riomouse911]

I’ve had no issues with Lee dies, the three that came in my .38-.357 carbide set have loaded many thousands of SWC,RN,WC,JHP,JSP and FMJ bullets in ,38 and .357.... in fact another 1,000 more .38’s loaded with a WC over 2.9 gr Bullseye filled a .30 cal ammo can this past week.

Your four-die set will last you a lifetime, enjoy what you have and get to it.

Stay safe.

 

[brewer12345]

I use the Lee dies and small pistol primers for both. I don't load a whole lot of 357 mag, though. You will need magnum primers for certain powders, but your load research will tell you if that is necessary.