4 replies to this topic

[Tgwhunter]

I was wondering what the difference is in 38 special and 357 dies? Is it not possible to buy 357 dies and load 38s with them? Thanks for your help.

[Garfield]

AFAIK there is no difference.
I checked Dillon's site and for this caliber they offer ".38 / .357 dies".
Also my (very old) reloading press which I use for .357M has a die set that is simply marked "38", nothing more.
This is very logical when you think about it: the only difference between .38SP and .357M is the case length.

[Skywalker]

I'm currently using .38" SPL Lee dies to reload .357" M.
The only (supposed) drawback I'm experiencing is the following: whenever I set the bullet Seat/Crimp .38" SPL die to strongly roll-crimp bullets (die deeply screwed in), the brass gets a semicircular dent/bend at about half its lenght, as if it got axially compressed by the press upstroke (for those of you competent in mechanics, it's the almost normal way of collapsing for hollow cilynders upon axial compression).

I'm not sure this can be traced to the fact I'm loading .357" M rounds with .38" SPL dies.

[.40AET]

Sky- I hadn't experienced any problems with my Lee 38/357 dies. I don't think that they had an "M" on them anywhere. I have since sold my .357. Being you are the last true Lee believer, the dies are yours if you can get them to Italy.

[Skywalker]

Well, I didn't mean to say .38" SPL dies cannot be used to load .357" M...

I'm still wondering if the problem I'm experiencing is related to it or not...

...anyway .40, thanks for your generous offer, if I can't make mine work I'll knock at your door.

Thanks again.