Which Dies to use for .357/.38 Special
- Thread starter gpracer
- Start date
Bear in mind that the Lee Carbide .38 Special Die Set will do both .38 Special and .357 mag. The Lee Carbide .357mag die set will NOT work for .38 Special. The neck expander won't reach the shorter .38 case neck....you need to buy the .38 Special neck sizer in order to use it for .38 Special. 
Reasons for other than Lee
I have used many types of dies and for standard pistol reloading on a single stage press I would pay the extra for anything before I bought Lee. Saying that I have some Lee dies and my major beef with them is the lock rings and before you guys say to just change the body ring with a split ring (Hornady type) that is only half the problem. The other bigger issue for me is the fact that the bullet seater depth adj and other top of die adjustments are normally just in place with o rings and no jam nuts. Yes you can put a paint pen mark on things so you know if they've moved but for the extra $ I'd rather buy RCBS or any other for that matter.
Yeah I might rather use a Carbide Lee over a non carb RCBS but if you are in the market just buy the better one right off the bat.
There are lots of used dies out there on ebay if you want a good deal.
I reload for the 357 and I've never had any problem with the standard roll crimp crimped into the groove at the same time as the bullet seating. I just make sure the groove is in the perfect spot if I need a heavy crimp.
Lee are great if they are the only dies you can get .... like the 7.62x25 Tok
(anyone have another set for me?)
I have used many types of dies and for standard pistol reloading on a single stage press I would pay the extra for anything before I bought Lee. Saying that I have some Lee dies and my major beef with them is the lock rings and before you guys say to just change the body ring with a split ring (Hornady type) that is only half the problem. The other bigger issue for me is the fact that the bullet seater depth adj and other top of die adjustments are normally just in place with o rings and no jam nuts. Yes you can put a paint pen mark on things so you know if they've moved but for the extra $ I'd rather buy RCBS or any other for that matter.
Yeah I might rather use a Carbide Lee over a non carb RCBS but if you are in the market just buy the better one right off the bat.
There are lots of used dies out there on ebay if you want a good deal.
I reload for the 357 and I've never had any problem with the standard roll crimp crimped into the groove at the same time as the bullet seating. I just make sure the groove is in the perfect spot if I need a heavy crimp.
Lee are great if they are the only dies you can get .... like the 7.62x25 Tok
(anyone have another set for me?)
Get the Lee 4 piece set with the factory crimp die .
It seperates the bullet seating from the crimping so its works on both great
Plus it has a carbide sizer so you don't have to mess around with lube .
Don't get a used set , by the time you pay for them plus freight you are only a couple of bucks off a new set .
It seperates the bullet seating from the crimping so its works on both great
Plus it has a carbide sizer so you don't have to mess around with lube .
Don't get a used set , by the time you pay for them plus freight you are only a couple of bucks off a new set .
... Realistically, all the major brands are good. I'm using RCBS, but that's just because at the time they were available and affordable. If at all possible, pay a few extra bucks and get carbide dies. Saves a lot of mess and trouble lubing etc. .... I've got designated dies for both 38 Spl and 357 Mag. if you were willing to adjust each time you switched, mostly 38 will adjust for 357, and obviously the reverse is true. .... 'Nice easy calibers to reload for ! .. David K.
Thanks again for all the replies, guess I'll have to get a good set for .38 if they will do both calibres. I have gotten some good deals on used dies in the past, I find the lee dies quite good for the 6.5 x 55, bought redding for the .204, they are awesome.
