I just got a great deal on 38 special wadcutters. I was able to purchase 2000speer wadcutters for $80.00. Problem is I don't own any dies. I am fairly new to reloading, currently only loading for 45 ACP. Will the Lee 4 set of dies work with wadcutters or do I need a "special" set.
Lee 38 special dies?
- Thread starter thor745
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W.E.G.
Member
I've loaded thousands of rounds wadcutters on Lee pistol dies.
Get the .357 set to load .38 spl. and .357 mag.
Get the .357 set to load .38 spl. and .357 mag.
Jim Watson
Member
Actually, if it is only marked one way, you should buy .38 dies to load both .38 Specials and .357 Magums.
Lee says: 38 Special (Can be used to load MAGNUM cases)
A dedicated magnum dieset might not crimp specials.
Lee says: 38 Special (Can be used to load MAGNUM cases)
A dedicated magnum dieset might not crimp specials.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I would get the .38 Special set to load both .38 Special & .357 Mag.
The .357 seating die may be too long to work with .38 Special.
Can't swear to that with Lee dies, but that has always been the case with most other brands.
rcmodel
The .357 seating die may be too long to work with .38 Special.
Can't swear to that with Lee dies, but that has always been the case with most other brands.
rcmodel
ninja45
Member
The dies can adjusted up or down to accomodate .38/.357 rounds in any weight configuration.
Ninja45
Ninja45
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Not all of them can.
Shorter dies can be adjusted longer, but not all longer dies can be adjusted shorter.
If you use RCBS dies, you better get .38 Special for .357.
.44 Special for .44 Mag.
.45 LC for .454, etc.
Otherwise, you will need another set of dies for the shorter calibers.
rcmodel
Shorter dies can be adjusted longer, but not all longer dies can be adjusted shorter.
If you use RCBS dies, you better get .38 Special for .357.
.44 Special for .44 Mag.
.45 LC for .454, etc.
Otherwise, you will need another set of dies for the shorter calibers.
rcmodel
zxcvbob
Member
I use a Lee 3-die .38 Special set to load .38's and .357's.
I don't think their .357 seating die can be adjusted short enough to crimp .38 Specials, so you'd have to use the 4th die for that.
I'd get the .38 special dies if I were you (3 or 4 die set, whichever you want).
Bob
I don't think their .357 seating die can be adjusted short enough to crimp .38 Specials, so you'd have to use the 4th die for that.
I'd get the .38 special dies if I were you (3 or 4 die set, whichever you want).
Bob
dwave
Member
I have the Lee Deluxe Pistol dies in .38 Special and load my .357s with them, no problems.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=309802&t=11082005
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=309802&t=11082005
lordgroom
Member
I use the Lee 4 die set for .357 and I have a dillon set for .38 Special. The lee set is supposed to be for both .357 and .38 but I have a dedicated set for each.
dwave
Member
lordgroom said:
Exactly, though my dies are for doing both .357 and .38 special, I am going to get another set for .38 that way I don't have to readjust them when I want to switch.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I use the 4 die Lee Deluxe Carbide set and I'm very happy with them. The Lee Factory Crimp Die is a great tool. I have a set marked .38 Special that works with both .38 Special and .357 Magnum rounds. Of course you have to make the proper adjustments for the Magnum rounds but they work well. I recently bought a .357 Magnum set and a turret for them so I don't have to keep making adjustments for the 2 rounds.
jfh
Member.
Ditto for what ArchAngelCD said. Given the price of the dies for a 4-die set and another turret, I dedicated a set to each.
Jim H.
Jim H.
Most die manufacturers sell .38/.357 dies that will do both and straight .357 dies are different, and as rcmodel said, those will NOT work for .38 Spl.
If they are straight .38 dies, they should work for .357, but everybody buys the "combo" sets, mostly.
I have been using one RCBS combo set for both for years, but am seriously considering getting another set, perhaps straight .38, to make things easier, as I am shooting more .38 and .357 lately.
If they are straight .38 dies, they should work for .357, but everybody buys the "combo" sets, mostly.
I have been using one RCBS combo set for both for years, but am seriously considering getting another set, perhaps straight .38, to make things easier, as I am shooting more .38 and .357 lately.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I made a .135" thick spacer washer for my .38 Spl. dies, and a .125" washer for my .44 Special dies, about 35 years ago.
Now, I think Redding invented them recently, and sells them for $11 bucks a set.
Part #80901
http://www.redding-reloading.com/pages/accessories.html
You just set up on the short case once, then add the washer for the Magnums.
Works great if your cases are all the right length.
rcmodel
Now, I think Redding invented them recently, and sells them for $11 bucks a set.
Part #80901
http://www.redding-reloading.com/pages/accessories.html
You just set up on the short case once, then add the washer for the Magnums.
Works great if your cases are all the right length.
rcmodel
zxcvbob
Member
I was gonna make a .135" shim, and I managed to *find* one already exactly the right size in one of my many junk boxes. It was an aluminum spacer out of an old hard disk drive that I took apart years ago looking for magnets.
This was not a totally good thing however, cuz it just reinforced my tendency to be a packrat.
This was not a totally good thing however, cuz it just reinforced my tendency to be a packrat.
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