Dies for 38 Short & Long Colt

[jski]

Is Lee the only maker of a dies set for 38 Short & Long Colt. Tho in all honesty, Lee’s “38 Short/Long Colt” die set is cobbled together from 3 other die sets.

Evidently a 38 S&W expanding die and a 38 S&W seating die can function as 38 Long/Short Colt dies.

 

[mcb]

I load 38 Short Colt with a 38/357 sizing die and the 9mm powder funnel/drop, seating, and crimp die. When I load 38 S&W I swap the 38/357 sizing die for a 38 ACP/Super sizing die and the test stays the same.

 

[jski]

I load 38 Short Colt with a 38/357 sizing die and the 9mm powder funnel/drop, seating, and crimp die. When I load 38 S&W I swap the 38/357 sizing die for a 38 ACP/Super sizing die and the test stays the same.

Lee sent me a 38 Spl / 357 sizing/decapping die with their “38 Short/Long Colt” die set.

 

[mcb]

Lee sent me a 38 Spl / 357 sizing/decapping die with their “38 Short/Long Colt” die set.

Yep, modern 38 Short Colt and 38 Long Colt are externally identical in diameter to 38 Special and 357 Magnum. Just the length of the case is different externally. That said there is no SAAMI spec for either 38 Short Colt and 38 Long Colt, they were both obsolete enough by the time SAAMI came along they were never added to the SAAMI specs.

 

[jski]

Yep, modern 38 Short Colt and 38 Long Colt are externally identical in diameter to 38 Special and 357 Magnum. Just the length of the case is different externally. That said there is no SAAMI spec for either 38 Short Colt and 38 Long Colt, they were both obsolete enough by the time SAAMI came along they were never added to the SAAMI specs.

This gives an excellent account of the early 38s.