Does the 38 Special have a magnum case as described in the RCBS 3-die set instructions?

[Jim K III]

First time wanting to reload a bunch of .38 special cases. This is for a GP100 357/38 Special handgun, but I'm not interested in the .357 capability right now.

The RCBS 3-die set has a spacer ring for the longer magnum cases. Yet, I find the instructions a bit confusing. See image.

Am I to assume that .38 Special cases are considered magnum cases, same as the .357 Magnum cases, and should use the spacer ring?

Thanks.

 

[blackd24]

No, the spacer is for easy adjustment between 357 and 38 special. So your dies are set up for 38 special without the spacer, then if you would add the spacer it would be set up for 357 mag.

 

[FLIGHT762]

And you use the F/L die without the spacer to size the 357 cases. No need for the spacer for F/L sizing 357 cases. For belling and seating, you use the spacer.

In the 1970's, I had a Machinist friend make me a .135" spacer for this. I've been doing 357 Mag. with the .135" spacer in 38 Special dies since then.

So, set your 38 dies up for 38 Special and then someday, when you want to load .357, you just use the spacer.

 

[cfullgraf]

The external dimensions of 38 Special cases and 357 Magnum cases are the same except the 357 Mag cases are about 0.100” longer than the 38 Special cases.

The spacer is not needed for the sizer die when switching between 38 Special and 357 Mag cases but it is useful for the case mouth expanding die and the bullet seater die.

In theory, the spacer allows one to switch between case types without adjusting the dies.

In actually, the reloader may need to do some case trimming and some other adjustments to make the use of the spacer a seamless change.

In my early days of reloading, I set my dies up with the spacer to load 357 Magnum ammunition. I was shooting lots of 357 Magnum in IHMSA Handgun silhouette at the time.

I could remove the spacer and load good plinking 38 Special ammunition.

These days, 20-30 years after getting into reloading, I do have separate die sets for 38 Special and 357 Magnum ammunition.

 

[AJC1]

I don't use the spacer ever... having a dummy round using the bullet intended to load is the cheat code. Speaking of bullets, the spacer only really works loading the same bullet. One would also have to trim cases to meet with the spacer. Dummy rounds are the setup champions....

 

[FLIGHT762]

The spacer works for belling the case. And yes, If you're going to use another bullet, of course you will need to adjust the seating stem. Yes, some of us have figured out to make dummy rounds with the different bullets we use and have them in the die case. I've found, I never had to trim cases.

 

[Jim K III]

Thanks for all your comments. I don't ever expect to reload 357, just 38 Special, so won't need to switch between the two. (I've enough 357mag from my dad, who passed away a few years ago, and hardly ever shoot it.)

So to sum it up, since it's 38 Special only, that spacer will stay in its wrapper in the die box.

Cheers!

 

[Pottimus]

Cool.

 

[Riomouse911]

I just adjust the dies up or down to switch between magnums and specials. Spacers do make it quicker though.

Have fun loading for your .38! There are lots of powders, tons of bullets and reams of good load data for the .38. It’s my most loaded revolver round, and my favorite to shoot.

Let us know what loads you work up and how they shoot for you.

Stay safe.

 

[41 Mag]

Take heed of the mentioned "dummy" round. They are a time and patience saver for certain.

I load bullets from 3 major manufacturers and cast nearly a dozen different ones just for 38/357's. I have a setup round for each due to the differences in profiles. Although the crimp may be set close enough, that seating stem usually needs a turn or more one way or the other. Slide the setup/dummy round in the holder run it up and adjust as needed, then go to it.

I use an ultra fine tip sharpie to note on the side of the case what bullet it is. Sometimes I put a piece of scotch tape across to preserve it.

As to trimming cases, for general trigger time ammo I usually don't mess with it. For serious use like hunting or other, I'll trim a batch to length. It has shown to settle and tighten groups down a bit with those type loads.

 

[jmorris]

The spacer is not needed for the sizer die when switching between 38 Special and 357 Mag cases but it is useful for the case mouth expanding die and the bullet seater die.

Yep, they just move The dies to the right place for the case length. Have even been done for progressives, for all the dies in the toolhead.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Man, this simple spacer talk is really growing legs. To make it easy, this is how I do it: .38 spl loads using 158gr swc or rnfp bullets comes out to 1.450".
.357 mag loads using same bullets and spacer comes out at 1.585". And there's our .135" difference. No adjustments. Very simple.
Again, this is how I've been doing it since the '70's. Seems to work.