38 special/357 dies - 1 or 2 sets?

[barnfrog]

I just have one set but I am not a fan of 357 Mag so it pretty much only gets used for 38 Special...

I am the opposite, sort of. I have one set of each because I got them as part of a big bunch of equipment, but I only load .357 Magnum at present. I use the .38 Special seating die to crimp as a separate step with the seater plug backed all the way out.

 

[mcb]

I am the opposite, sort of. I have one set of each because I got them as part of a big bunch of equipment, but I only load .357 Magnum at present. I use the .38 Special seating die to crimp as a separate step with the seater plug backed all the way out.

My 38/357 sizing die has been used most with 38 Short Colt. I load 38 Short Colt with the 38/357 sizing dies and the rest of the tool head with 9mm dies. I do the same thing for 38 S&W (38/200) but replace the 38/357 sizing dies with a 38 ACP sizing die.

I have tool head setup to do 38 Short Colt, 38 S&W, and 9mm and swap sizing dies as needed depending on what I am loading. I have a second tool head setup for 38 Special and if needed I can back the seating and crimping dies out to do 357 Magnum but I have probably only loaded 200-300 357 Mag. I have loaded a couple thousand of 38 Special and tens of thousand of 38 Short Colt.

 

[.45Coltguy]

One set. RCBS, use the spacer for .357 as others have stated. Simple.

 

[Seedy Character]

I had a set of RCBS dies, for years. All I loaded was .38 Spl.

I acquired a .357 and adjusted as needed.

Bought a mystery box at an auction and it had a set of Hornady dies set up for .38 Spl.
The RCBS were set up for .357 with JHPs and Lee FCD added.

Found a deal on a Dillon and bought it. It was set up with .357 dies for 95 gr LRN Cowboy loads.

Bought a universal decapping die and carbide sizing dies. Decap everything and size everything when I get in from the range. Resize after tumble to clean.

Yes, these things seem to accumulate over time.

1 set is all that needed, but need has a way of growing, also.

 

[rfwobbly]

If you install a positive locking type of die mounting nut, like the Hornady....


Then Midway use to sell a 0.135" spacer that backed the die (set for 38Spcl) off to 357M settings.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012453382?pid=312274
.

 

[.45Coltguy]

If you install a positive locking type of die mounting nut, like the Hornady....
View attachment 1119269

Then Midway use to sell a 0.135" spacer that backed the die (set for 38Spcl) off to 357M settings.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012453382?pid=312274
.

Yes, that is the thickness of the spacer in my old .38/.357 dies[RCBS].

 

[tominboise]

I personally use different sets of dies set up for each of those cartridges, same goes for .40 s&w and 10mm. It's not that readjustment is all that difficult, but in my opinion having dedicated sets is a worthwhile expenditure.

Same with me and also for 44 Special and 44 Mag. I actually have two sets of each, one for my turret press and one for my RL550. So two 38 special sets, 2 357 sets, etc, etc, etc. I like to grab and go.

 

[Soonerpesek]

Same with me and also for 44 Special and 44 Mag

Agreed.....
I have sets for 38/357, 44 Spl/Mag, 40/10mm set up in separate toolheads......................works best for me.....

 

[johnjohn]

Color me CHEAP. I really hardly reload .357 ammunition anymore. One set does me fine.

 

[Steve in PA]

One RCBS die set. Just add or remove the spacer as needed. Been doing it this way for over 25 years.

 

[N555]

What every you do just make sure you have a seater for 357 length and one for 38spl length.
And I would recommend a ball expander too, one for 357 and one for 38.

 

[nofendertom]

One set of dies. I load all my .38spl or .357mag brass (about 300 cases each) at one time, so changing over time is minimal. Also I load on a Dillon 550
so I only need one die plate. Less stuff = less money spent.