Want to reload both .38 and .357. Which dies work for both?

C

CinderedWhiskers

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I know a lot of brands say specifically .38/.357. Some dies will say specifically .38 or .357. Would a die marked .38 also reload .357 and vice versa?

On one forum I visited, they said that only a .38 die would work for both and another forum I visited they said only a .357 die would work for both. Thus, my confusion is even greater.

Whats funny is on midway USA, the Lee Carbide 3 die set for those calibers is listed as .38/.357, but the same die set (or so I assume) on Cabelas has an option for .38 and an option for .357. Preferably, I would buy at Cabelas to save on shipping but I am confused on which box to select (.38 or .357)
or does it even matter? Does Lee actually make two different dies for each or is it just the same die under a different name?

(Cabelas website with Lee dies in question)
http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0012803210545a.shtml
 
I can't see why there would be different die sets, the only physical difference is length. You just screw the dies in our out depending on which you're loading. Maybe some press designs require different dies for the different lengths. My 550 doesn't.

Disclaimer: I've never reloaded 38/357
 
I've been reloading for a long time, but only started to reload for a 44 Mag revolver, so I could be mistaken on this. But... I think you need a 357 die to load both. I've been loading 44 Special loads with my RCBS carbide dies using the dies as they come. There is a spacer ring that also comes with the die set, which is used to load 44 Mag. loads. Basically the spacer dies is equivalent to the difference in the case length between 44 Special and 44 Magnum. I can set the dies to load 44 Special, and then simply put the spacer ring between the press and the die to load 44 Mag. I would guess that this is the same for 357 Mag. / 38 Special.
 
Martin said:
You can reload .357 with a 38 set. Unscrew the bullet seater a few turns and you are good to go. Works at least with my . 38 lee dies.
Click to expand...

Probably the crimp die too, if it's separate from your seating die. With a longer case and a roll crimp, I'd think you would overcrimp if you ran 357 through a die set for 38, and undercrimp vice-versa.
 
You can make a short die longer, but you can't make a long die shorter.

The .38 dies will load .357 just fine. If the die says .38/.357, it will load both. If it says .38, you can still load both. If it says .357, you can't load .38 special.

You will have to turn the seating stem and crimp out several turns. As I load for both, I was getting tired of cranking them in and out, so I got a second set of dies. Now I don't have to worry what the die is set for.

(E) :cool:
 
RCBS three die carbides are marked 357 MAG/38 SPECIAL.
There is a steel ring enclosed with them, which sets the 357 the proper height, when using the 357.
 
H4831 said:
RCBS three die carbides are marked 357 MAG/38 SPECIAL.
There is a steel ring enclosed with them, which sets the 357 the proper height, when using the 357.
Click to expand...

So THAT'S what that steel ring is for....

I've been using the RCBS dies for both without the steel ring - everything is working fine. I set-up the dies each time to and don't lock the adjusting ring to the die body.

There are lots of places to purchase 38/357 dies IN CANADA - try any of the site sponsors or get 'em locally.....even at a gun show.....
 
.... If you can, or choose, to buy "used" and non-carbide dies, rather than adjust a 357 Mag. die down to 38 Spl. considering the cost, buy one of each. It's far easier, and less time consuming, plus there are probably more "used" 38 Spl dies for sale than 357 Mag. which will get you started sooner. ( The case holders are the same for both ) Both the 38 Spl. and 357 Mag. rounds are very user friendly when it come to reloading ! ...... David K. ....
 
I had a major headache with the Lee dies marked as 38/357. It turns out after a conversation with the folks at Lee, that the de-priming / resizing dies is for both. There is a difference in the lenght of the collet in the powder thru die. The collet is longer for a 38 because of the difference in case lenght between 38 and 357.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom