Lee 38/357 dies

[H1500308]

I have an older (80s vintage) .38spl lee carbide die set. Just purchased a .357mag revolver and want to start reloading for it. I was looking to purchase a die set and saw where Lee now makes one die set for both .38 and .357.

Anyone know if my old .38spl die set will do the same? I'm assuming no since I didn't see any reference to this on the original die instructions from Lee.

 

[jcwit]

Try it to see if it would resize .357 mag. and if the seating die would also work. After all the only difference is the length of the case.

With that said, I have a set of dies for each caliber, beats adjusting and setting up all the time.

 

[oneounceload]

My old RCBS set came with a spacer (big washer), that was the thickness of the difference between a 38 and 357. Don't have them in front of me, but if you get one at the right thickness, it should work fine (assuming bullet style is the same)

 

[Quoheleth]

I use the same dies for both .38 and .357 (mine are .357 dies).

Let me repharase that...I actually use my 9mm expanding die to flare the brass - works better than the .357.

Q

 

[Lee Roder]

yes, 38spl can be used for the longer 357mag. just unscrew the die about 2 turns (0.14"). the spacer for my rcbs set measures 0.131" thick.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Lee has 2 die sets which are designed for use with the .357 Magnum BUT, only 1 will work properly with the .38 Special. There 3 piece Carbide set #90510 will resize both 38's and .357 Magnum cases while their dedicated .357 Magnum die set #90511 will not. Check the part number on your set to be sure and if all else fails, resize a case and see...

I also have a set of 90510 and 90511 dies on separate turrets which makes things easier to switch around quickly. When I was just starting out I used the 90510 dies for both because I didn't have the cash to buy both and a extra turret. I used a spacer to make things easy but it's not mandatory since those dies will adjust correctly to size a Magnum case.

 

[lgbloader]

These dies should work fine as others have stated.

LGB