[ferggie]

Any reccomendations on a good seating die for 38 spcl that will be used to load SWC's using a seperate crimping die?

[rcmodel]

My RCBS .38 Spl dies have served me well for 40+ years.

rc

[PO2Hammer]

I use the Redding competition seater die for .38 and .357 and a separate crimp. The micrometer settings are worth the price alone in saving set up time. A very precise die. Very easy to clean without removing from the press.

[GP100man]

I use Lee dies & the seating stem has a concave shape or for a rounds nose profile . I take the stem & cut flat for 99% of my revolver ammo is loaded with a boolit wth a flat meplat .

[ferggie]

I have the Redding comp seater die and seperate crimp with the micrometer. It doesn't work with SWC. I set the OAL at 1.455" and will end up with OAL's verying from 1.450 to 1.50" and not one of them are the same. It uses the Ogive and not the top of the bullet.

[Walkalong]

I have the same die, but I welded and turned a seater plug flat for it. the OAL stays constant. On my old RCBS die the seater plug is shallow enough for the bullet to go in and hit against the flat, so it works too.

[beatledog7]

I use an RCBS die with the flat seating plug, then crimp with a Redding crimping die (because my seating die is a taper crimp model bought to use with plated bullets). Works very well and produces consistent OAL.

[ArchAngelCD]

While RCBS, Redding, Hornady and a bunch of others are all good my inexpensive Lee dies work just fine for me. For only $32 a set of Lee dies pushes out round after round with the same OAL every time.

I wouldn't buy a "nice expensive Redding micrometer die" for .38 Special ammo. Building rifle ammo for competition sure but not for any handgun ammo.

[Walkalong]

I wouldn't buy a "nice expensive Redding micrometer die" for .38 Special ammo.I did, but I use it for both .38 Spl & .357 Mag, and it sure is nice to be able to dial back to all the different bullets. I use the same sizer for both and the same seater for both.

[Notoast]

My Hornady die came with both a flat seating plug and a curved seating plug.

[ArchAngelCD]

I did, but I use it for both .38 Spl & .357 Mag, and it sure is nice to be able to dial back to all the different bullets. I use the same sizer for both and the same seater for both.
AC, I don't think anyone is wrong for buying the best dies they can find if that's what they want. I'm only saying I'm too darn cheap to buy such expensive dies for handgun ammo...LOL

[Walkalong]

I totally understand. I bought it for the convenience. I am cheap, but also impatient. This speeds things up.

[Bud0505]

I use a Dillon die that has seater plugs for RN, SWC and WC.

[ferggie]

Thanks for the feedback. I ended up ordering an RCBS that comes with the different plugs. The Redding didn't have the option. They said they are designing their dies to be a one size fits all for different bullet types which means, as the tech informed me, I could fill the cavity with JB weld and insert a SWC into it to mold a custom die. I will pass on that one.

[mje]

Just to add another data point, I use Lee dies. I use the standard seater/crimper for seating. I screw the seating insert all the way down, and adjust seating depth by screwing the die in and out of the mounting plate. Then I use the infamous Lee Factory Crimp die for the crimp. Works well for HBWCs and SWCs alike.

[hdbiker]

I seat with a RCBS .357 only die and crimp with a Lee Factory crimp die. biker

[fatcpa]

Hornady New Dimension Seater die with floating alignment sleeve.

[henry-ctc]

I use a Lyman. Plugs for WC, SWC or FP and RN. The one for WC allows you to seat the bullet slightly under flush, to later roll crimp it exactly as factory ammo. BTW the expander die is wonderfull.

[Fatelvis]

I did, but I use it for both .38 Spl & .357 Mag,
I did too, and add 357 Maximum/Supermag to the list!

[TonyT]

I use a Dillon 550 and the Dillon seating die is a real plus since it is easilly cleaned without disturbing the die alignment. For ladinf jacketed or plated bullets any seating die works.