38 Magnum?

[BigN]

In the Lee product catalog it lists a 38 Special carbide die set as capable of loading magnums also. Does this mean you can load 357 magnum ammo with a 38 Special die set?

 

[Walkalong]

Yes, you can load .357 mag with them.

 

[Walkalong]

To make it clearer, this set can not, but this set can. RCBS and Redding make some .357 only dies as well, but most sets are for both.

 

[Sniderman]

Yes, you can load .357 with these dies, I loaded 200 this morning with the same dies.
Good dies at a good price.

 

[greyling22]

lee dies reload both. the only difference is how the dies are adjusted. (screw in for 38, out for 357)

 

[GLOOB]

You can use all .38 dies for .357. You just have to adjust the dies out. On most Lee seating dies, the instructions tell you to back the die out 3 turns, then adjust from there. If using a .357 shell, you'll have to back it out more, is all. Same goes for the expanding die. You'll ruin a .357 case if you screw a .38 expanding die all the way down.

Conversely, a .38 shell will not reach the expanding ball or crimping ring in a .357-only die set.

The resizing die is generally interchangeable, either way. Screw it all the way down.

 

[Walkalong]

I used a spacer for my .38 dies for years, but finally bought a second set of dies. They make one for .44 Spl/.44 Mag, and a "no crimp" spacer and sell them in sets as well.

 

[bonza]

Yep, RCBS used to supply a 1/10" spacer ring with their .38 Special dies so you could also reload .357 Magnum. Don't think they do that anymore(?).

 

[BigN]

Thanks, that's a handy piece of information to have. As luck would have it, I have the Lee set of 357 dies that cannot be used for 38 special. Go figure...