Newbie questions 38spl, 357, 9mm

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Raymund

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Toronto
Hi I'm just looking to start reloading and I have a few questions .
I got a Lee 4 " hole " press and a 3 piece 38-357 lee dies and looking to get a 9mm die set and powder dispenser and a scale to start with .
Questions
1: 9mm, Lee 3 or 4 piece die set ?
2: 357, can I " down "load the 357 case to 38spl load ?
I probably will have a lot more questions later I'm just gathering the basic tools for now.
 
Q1: I would go for the Lee 4 PC die set. You can seat and crimp bullets in 2 steps for better control over the process.
Q2: Yes, you can download 357 to 38 spl performance. That option is preferable to shooting 38spl in a 357mag revolver as you avoid the carbon ring from shooting 38spl.
 
The only draw back to the 357m brass is the cost , 38sp is cheap and scads of it floating around.
I never use the Lee's, I always used Hornaday Carbide, in 38 and 45, than never messed with lube.
Do not buy a cheap scale, get a good one and it will last forever, and easier to use, in my option.
 
The Lee factory crimp die is awesome (Especially with bullets that have a cannelure/crimp groove), I'd get the 4 die set for that one alone. Like Ganderite said, definitely get carbide dies, as they don't cost much more and make life a lot easier for straight walled cartridges. Nobody wants to lube and clean thousands of little 9mm cases.

Depending on what you're doing, 357 mag cases can be beneficial or a hinderance. For something like steel challenge, where there is potential to have to reload quick, the shorter 38 special cases will make for much faster reloads. 357 mag cases will also hang up on some grips if you load with speed loaders or moon clips.

But, like baldabe said, the carbon ring that forms from shooting a lot of 38 sucks. 357 rounds will hang up on it if you don't shoot any for a while. Ultrasonic cleaners seem to deal with it pretty well though.
 
I've tried all kinds of dies and have always liked RCBS. I have some Lee dies for 45 ACP and if the primer hole isn't the perfect size like on Seller & Bellot brass it pushes the decaping pin back into the die . I guess that's better than breaking the pin . I also have Hornady dies but still love my RCBS dies . and I'm old school . I just have a RCBS rock chucker .
 
I guess there's a lot more to learn. I'm just gathering information to see if it's really worth it for me . I'm not using to much , maybe 3-400 rounds per month , just lately it's difficult to find ammo.
Thank You
 
Q1 Lee 4 Carbide Set
Q2 - sorry dont load for it.
Raymund said:
Hi I'm just looking to start reloading and I have a few questions .
I got a Lee 4 " hole " press and a 3 piece 38-357 lee dies and looking to get a 9mm die set and powder dispenser and a scale to start with .
Questions
1: 9mm, Lee 3 or 4 piece die set ?
2: 357, can I " down "load the 357 case to 38spl load ?
I probably will have a lot more questions later I'm just gathering the basic tools for now.
Click to expand...
 
I’m new at this and reloading the same calibers and also .223. The 9mm die availability was thin on the ground a few weeks ago. My only option was RCBS for these. I have the Lee sets in the other calibers. What are you doing to clean the brass? I got a wet tumbler and a drier too. I also got a universal recapping die as it suits the process I use. Trimmer?

I’m doing this for the fun and learning aspect and I’d also like to squeeze more accuracy out my .223 There’s some savings too as I kept all my old brass.
 
Alchemist: deprime using universal decapper die and wet tumble. That results in super clean brass. Not that it's necessary. It's just a pleasure. Trimming not necessary for pistol calibers generally. 223 may require trimming, check length after cleaning.
 
Plenty of good info, so far. About the only thing I might add is that, though the carbon ring can be a pain at times, it is easy to deal with....especially now. Slix products now has a handy chamber cleaner called the "Slix Scraper", which is designed to remove the carbon ring safely and easily. Any dealer that stocks Slix products should have them. Site sponsor: Rusty Wood Trading, is a good source.
 
baldabe said:
Alchemist: deprime using universal decapper die and wet tumble. That results in super clean brass. Not that it's necessary. It's just a pleasure. Trimming not necessary for pistol calibers generally. 223 may require trimming, check length after cleaning.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I've been doing that and it’s working well. I’ve gone bit overboard maybe though...I washed and tumbled the .223 again after sizing and trimming to get rid of the lube and shavings. I think I just like shiny brass, it’s personally satisfying lol.
 
I use the Lee with no problems at all. I also just use 357 Mag cases only. I just use different powder. This way I don't have to worry about a carbon ring switching between 38 sp and 357 mag cases.
 
Try loading the .357 cases with Trail Boss.
Mark the case where the base of the bullet would be.
Fill the case to the mark, then weigh it. That's your max charge.
Multiply by .7 for your starting load and work up for groupings.
Never, ever compress this powder though.
 
Trail Boss works well in a lot of cartridges. Bubba Yugga is right. Find your max load, then work up. From personal experience, I've found that most "pistol caliber" cartridges....357 being no exception...Trail Boss performed very well when loaded to around 80% to 85% of the max charge.
I generally load HP-38/231 in .38 Special and .357 mag. But others plenty suitable, too. Just depends on their end use.
 
Alex McKr said:
Plenty of good info, so far. About the only thing I might add is that, though the carbon ring can be a pain at times, it is easy to deal with....especially now. Slix products now has a handy chamber cleaner called the "Slix Scraper", which is designed to remove the carbon ring safely and easily. Any dealer that stocks Slix products should have them. Site sponsor: Rusty Wood Trading, is a good source.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Did not know such a product existed.
 
I didn’t know about the carbon ring so lots of info here. Good news about the remover though as I have a lot of 38 spl brass and I’d rather use that along with my .357 cases.
 
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