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Calling all 38 special and 357 mag loaders

Do you 2 sets of dies or do you adjust back and forth?

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blackd24

blackd24

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Feb 28, 2020
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Loading on a LCT. What are pros and cons for using same set of dies and just adjusting for the longer 357 mag brass?
 
I need an "All of the Above." I have more than one set of dies for most calibers and use bits of each, or whole sets, depending on what I'm reloading, but I also adjust those dies back and forth as well. For example, I use Hornady's sizing and expander dies for .45ACP/AR but use Lee's powder through die after they're expanded to get powder into the cases and Lee's FCD for crimping. I also use bits of Lee's .455 Webley and Hornady's sets for .45ACP when making .455/.45 for my shaved Webley. I mix and match dies to do what I want and adjust as needed. Same for .44Spl/Mag, .38LC/Spl/.357Mag/Max, .32S&W/S&W Long/Colt New Police/H&R Magnum, etc. so I have .32ACP seating and FCD but use the .32S&W sizing die.
 
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I load on a single stage so changes are the way of life. Honestly I believe it builds and maintains skill. A new person on a progressive doesn't utilize the skill set a lot so changes are a big deal. Some like the hornaday setup to prevent making changes. The only dies that are even locked are my rifle sizing dies. The rest are easy.
 
I basically never load 38 sp. , if I want lighter loads I just put them in 357 cases. I don't have any dedicated 38 sp revolvers so no reason to move things around.

Like @AJC1 , I load on a single stage. Minor adjustments are a way of life. I also agree that a lot of guys set their dies once and never adjust them which can be fine but it does help maintain skills when the dies are moved around a lot. I do use locking rings for the large adjustments and adjust as needed with the finer adjustments on the die.

I will make some 38 sp sometimes if I want to make ultra light loads for my carbine. It just makes them easy to identify .
 
Rule3 said:
My plan as well! Even though I do not load very many 38 specials anymore.
A turret for everything and everything in a turret!:)
Click to expand...
I've seen this played to its logical conclusion where people have a dillon for each cartridge and leave them set for one caliber. That may even be reasonable for some high volume competitive families.
 
I have one for each, on separate tool heads.

I still have to adjust my seating and crimping dies when changing bullets, change powder measure for different loads. The only thing I gain is not having to change the sizing die. But very quick to swap out.

I do rifle on a single stage (except.223) so I doubt there is a loss of skill. Actually, adjusting and measuring doesn’t seem like a skill to me, more of a task.
 
I load .38LC, Special, .357Magnum and Maximum using the same dies but it's a mix from different sets and even different manufacturers' combined into a set. Some of my dies are really , REALLY old and some are brand new. I have handguns that only shoot .38LC and carbines that shoot anything from LC-through-Max. All on a little single-stage Partner press and a Lee APP dedicated to decapping duty. :)
 
I use a Lee carbide sizer for both. I have separate dedicated 38 and 357 expanders. I have a couple different seating dies for various bullets - SWC, spire point, RN and adjust the various dies as needed when switching between 38 and 357.
 
I also have a spacer ring that I used to use. I also made several setup rounds. Over time I have purchased several older die sets and have set up the expanders and seaters to match rounds I load. I reload on a couple single stage presses so resetting dies happens often. YMMV
 
I use one set and use a spacer ring. I also trim my brass for consistency of crimp and the spacer works perfectly. I also make a dummy for each load and case length, and leave it in the seat die in the box so I know what it's set for.

I most often load the rcbs 38-150-SWC in both.

I agree that setting your dies up is a skill and doing so regularly maintains that skill. I am able to seat and crimp in the same step with the above rcbs bullet.
 
I voted "two dies" but the truth is that I have a Dillon dedicated just to .38 Special. I still load .357 on a single stage, though. I enjoy the process, and frankly, shooting 50 rounds of .357 is enough for one day, as far as I am concerned.
 
Especially when you get to the Lock 'n Load or Dillion tool head, you're done with adjusting die settings. I had 3 sets, one each for .38spl, .357mag and .357Max.
 
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Others have already said it above. For years I used the same dies and adjusted them when switching between 38 & 357. It became frustrating so I eventually bought another turret and picked up a used set of dies. Now I treat them like I would 9 mm or 45 acp - totally different calibers to load for. Ease of use vs more money and more frustration.

YMMV
 
One sizing die because duha.
2 seaters, one for 357mag and one for 38spl then only move them the minimum amount for different bullets.
 
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