What does this die do?

[Turkinator]

I'm new to reloading and while loading up on equipment I recently bid 2$ and won a loose .357 die at auction. I'm not exactly sure what it's for though, if I were to guess maybe a crimp die or powder fill die? There are no threads inside to take a missing insert and the lock nut has an o-ring on the bearing side. Anybody have any idea who makes it and what it does?

 

[Potashminer]

That is a LEE sizing die for sizing cast lead bulllets. You screw that part into you single stage press, then it has a punch affair that inserts onto your press ram in place of a shell holder. Cast your bullets, then use press to force bullets through that die to size them to .357" Not certain how it could be used without the punch part.

 

[Hitzy]

Powder charge die?

 

[notsorichguy]

As previously stated it's a cast Bullet sizing die. With the plunger to push the cast projectile through the die it retails for $30, so at $2 it's a decent score...... If you can use it.....

It will likely cost ya $5 US for the missing plunger from Lee.

Cheers!

 

[Turkinator]

Thanks all I'll have to look into getting the plunger!

Powder charge die?

Yeah it's something I didn't even know was a thing, found a couple while trying to research what this was. Supposedly just accepts a measure or a funnel in the top so you can charge through the press.

 

[Turkinator]

Ha!
I was wondering what this pin was included with my .38/.357 RCBS die set I nabbed at the same auction for 20$. I only just clued in after you guys told me what this die was and I looked it up on the google. I think by some fluke both were owned by the same guy, he stored the loose plunger in his RCBS die case, and I just got lucky winning both auctions!

Again thank you all!