buying dies for .32 H&R magnum - interchangeability question

[W.E.G.]

I also happen to own a .32 S&W.

Would like to use one set of dies to reload for both calibers.

So, should I just get .32 S&W dies, and use those same dies for the .32 H&R, and maybe even the .327 Federal if I happen to add one of those to the collection?

I'm assuming I can always load the longer cartridges in the shorter dies, but not vice-versa.

 

[bonza]

Not positive, but I think you could. Years ago RCBS used to include a thick metal washer with their .38 Special dies so you could reload .357 magnum by placing the washer between the lock ring & press when you were belling the cases & seating the bullets (wasn't needed when sizing). The washer was the thickness of the difference in case length between the .38 Spl. & .357 Mag.

 

[Randy1911]

I think you can do what you are thinking. The only probem I could see would be if the sizing die isn't long enough to size the longer case.

RCBS still makes the spacer ring. The last set of dies I bought still had one and that was just a year ago. I think they make one for 44 Spl/Mag also, but not sure.

 

[W.E.G.]

I can't see where there is any need for a washer.

I've been reloading .357 Magnum on a set of Lee .38 Special dies since 1984.
Nobody ever told me I was missing the "washer."

Now, I know there is a good bit more difference in length if we compare the .32 S&W to the .327 Federal.
Still seems like the principle would apply.

 

[rjrivero]

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=494544

 

[Randy1911]

Posted by W.E.G.

I can't see where there is any need for a washer.

That is so when you change calibers, all you have to do is slip the washer under the lock ring. That way no readjustment of the die is needed.

 

[W.E.G.]

Thanks Randy1911 and rjrivero.

Cut and paste from the Midway site:

(r c of Turlock, CA)
I am very happy with most RCBS dies but RCBS screwed up the design of this die set. It is supplied with an expander that will open a .32 S&W long case for full wadcutter bullets. However, .32 H&R starline brass is so thick that when you use the supplied expander it will stick to the case and cause the rims to be ripped off by the shell holder during the flaring operation. The solution is to use a .32 ACP expander plug which is perfect for flaring the .32 long and H&R cases for all bullets with the exception of full wadcutter bullets. Really RCBS should have supplied these die sets with two expander plugs for full versatility with all bullets. An additional 32 ACP seating plug and taper crimp die will allow you to load all .32 ACP, .32 Long and .32 H&R "mag" ammo with the full variety of .32 projectiles from 60 grain gold dots which requires a taper crimp to 100gr XTPs which can be rolled crimped for consistent ignition with slow burning powders. The .32 ACP taper crimp die will also allow you to load .32 S&W short ammunition but because "32 short S&W" cases are shorter than the 32 acp case the crimp is not quite compete. I would suggest having about 1/16 inch or so lathe trimmed from the bottom of a.32 ACP seat/crimp die if you plan to load .32 S&W short with this set up. All the straight walled 32 cartridges are cheap and easy to reload once you know what needs to be done.

 

[Walkalong]

Might work. I have a Lee set for both. One for .32 acp and one for .32 S,L, & M. I can fool around with them and see later.

 

[ranger335v]

"I'm assuming I can always load the longer cartridges in the shorter dies, but not vice-versa."

Good assumption.

Some may need a "washer", I just can't see any problem making die adjustments.

 

[philbo]

I've using a set of Lee 32 S&W dies to reload both 32 S&W and 32 H&R mag. Works great. Don't load for the 327 so I can't speak for that.

 

[MMCSRET]

I use Lee 32 Long dies to load 32 Long, 32 Magnum, and 327 Magnum; works well for all three. I could not make them work for 32 S&W, couldn't get a crimp on the very short case after I seated the bullet, so I ordered a set of Lee 32 S&W dies and thats how it works for me.

 

[243winxb]

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/faq/index.cgi Interchangeable dies

Frequently, dies from one caliber may be used to load other calibers. Due to the locations of crimping shoulders, the operation may only work for dies of the shorter caliber to the longer. You may notice a label depicting the shorter die in your set for the longer version of the cartridge, we do this to reduce costs.

Even though some dies are interchangable, in many cases, different shellholders are necessary. You can see a complete list of shellholders under "Case Preparation" then "Shellholders and Calibers".

45 Colt - 454 Casull *
44 Special - 44 Magnum
38 Special - 357 Magnum
30-30 Winchester - 30 Remington
357 Magnum - 357 Maximum
38 Super - 9mm Largo
44 Russian - 44 Special
40 Smith & Wesson - 10mm - 41 Action Express
32 Smith & Wesson - 32 S&W Long - 32 H&R Magnum **

*The 45 Colt expander die will also work for the 454 Casull by backing the die out approximately two turns to compensate for the difference in case length.

**Our dies allow the use of .308 bullets in the 32 H&R Magnum. The other bullet diameter commonly used is .311 and that is the expander that comes with the set. To use .308 bullets, it is necessary to purchase an additional expander and turn it down to .308. This can be done using a drill press and emery cloth or if you buy the additional expander from the factory, we will do it for $10.00.

 

[crusty81]

I have a set of 32 magnum lee dies i load 32 short 32 long and 32 mag no problem just cant bell die the shorts but the plated bullets just slide in real nice with out it no problem! i am sure the 327 would be no problem! i use my 45 long colt and my 45 acp factory crimp for both loads , those 45lc need a tight crimp!!! good luck have fun!!!

 

[MMCSRET]

I don't shoot jacketed bullets in my 32 cartridges so I have to bell or expand the case mouth, the Lee expander die will work well. The problem I had with the S&W cases(short) was that I couldn't crimp after seating, hence, the 32 S&W die set.

 

[tango2echo]

I do not recommend the Lee dies for .32 H&R or any of the other .32's. The PTE die has a very rough expander button that will damage brass. It leaves score marks inside the case mouth that cause split cases after the second or third firing. I own many other Lee dies with no trouble, and after sending mine back twice, and the third time they sent me a new set, I just bought an RCBS set that works fine. I get atleast 12-15 reloads with the RCBS set. If you look at the expander on a Lee PTE die you will see the rough machine marks that caused me the problem.