When I set up for my 38/357 Short Barrel reloading project, I updated my Lee die set ups. This was at the same time I updated the (standard) Lee Turret I have with the 4-hole configuration and the Safety Prime....
At any rate, I did create two different die sets / turrets using the standard 38 / 357 dies, and I added a 38/357 FCD to each one. (This configuration, of course, allowed for separate seating and crimping.) I even got in a set of 357/357Max dies to experiment with the possibility of more complete 357 resizing. And, I tried using a S-C die instead of the FCD in the #4 position.
Overall, I found that eliminating the the (re)adjustments for the die setting differences by having separate setups was well worth the difference. Yes, one can use the Hornady(?) shim, but one also has to do additional tweaking re the PTED setup in changing out--at least I did.
I've also found that, only insofar as crimping goes, the FCD die is easier to set up for crimp-only than the S-C die tweaked to crimp only in the #4 position. FWIW, the post-sizing issues with the FCD come in only if my bullets are out of spec.
Using the 357Max die for "better" 357 resizing really didn't matter much, except for the bulging I seem to get if I run 231 at high levels--and even then, its benefit was marginal. (An aside--before the winter is over, I do plan on trimming both cartridge cases to get uniformity.)
In the comments so far, I have to admit I am bemused by Jim147's need to shift to a 9mm ED when loading 38 Special--I don't see why.
Jim H.
he said they will work :banghead: I said if that was the case why would they have different part #s.
