lee 38spl dies.

[300Whspr]

I also have the Lee 4-die set...

I started loading with it using the FCD to do the final crimp, but I've started doing the crimp with the seating die... for the plated bullets, I just set it so that it essentially only removes the belling from the case mouth, maybe just a hair of actual "crimp"... but no more with the plated bullets.

No problems, works well.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

HP-38. I figured i use it for 9mm i would just stay with it for 38spl.

IMO HP-38/W231 in the .38 Special and 45 Auto are matches made in heaven. I use almost nothing else in both and for a very long time. I also use it for 9mm range ammo and almost everything else I load for at one time or another. It is one of my three "have to have" powders.

 

[boom boom]

Walkalong,
Interesting on the taper crimp information. Crimping is not something that I have spent much time worrying about in revolvers other than firmly crimping relatively heavy .357 magnum loads with 125 gr. fmj bullets. Course the ones I use have the cannelure for crimping anyway. I use the FCD in .38 spcl primarily to make sure the brass chambers in one gun with tight cylinders and only secondarily for crimping.

 

[Axis II]

You don't want to roll crimp plated bullets. Buy the Lee three die set and add a Lee taper crimp die.

Or this RCBS set on sale that comes with a taper crimp.

What would you recommend-lee or rcbs? I can buy the 3pc lee set for $29 and $13 for taper crimp die or the RCBS you recommended. shooting FN plated bullets, starline brass in a s&w 642.

 

[Walkalong]

Either will work. I like RCBS better.

 

[Hondo 60]

Lee deluxe 38/357 dies will they seat a 125gr flat point berrys plated without issues?

also I see this set comes with a FCD. is this a roll crimp FCD or taper like 9mm?

Yes, I've loaded 1,000s of Berry's FP bullets with no problem

& the FCD is a roll crimp.

RCBS vs Lee - I like saving money & find that the Lee dies work for me.
Just my 2 ¢ worth.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I think the FCD is roll for revolver cartridges and taper for semi-auto cartridges like other crimp dies.

I use mostly Lee dies for handgun loading because they work and they cost less. Add the fact I'm using a Lee Turret Press with n Auto-Disk powder measure so getting the powder through die in the set is also a plus.
The new Hornady American handgun dies are very nice and come with the shell holder. They cost no more than the Lee dies but have the Nitride ring which is super smooth. I bought a few Hornady handgun sizing dies when on sale because they makes sizing so easy with the 9mm and 45 Auto.

However, most if my rifle dies are RCBS. I just like them better than Lee. I have a few in Lee and a set of Hornady rifle dies too. I think the Hornady dies are very nice and might have bought them over RCBS if they were around back then.

 

[Axis II]

both dies being on sale are only $1-2 difference. just looking for ease of use. I use lee for 44mag and 9mm with no issues i can tell and rcbs for 223.

 

[someguy2800]

Lee is favorite due to the factory crimp dies and being able to use the auto drum powder measure and auto indexing turret press. I not such a big fan of there rifle dies but I love the carbide pistol dies

here is my bucket of 38 special with the berry's 125 gr FP. My favorite 38 special load. These were roll crimped with a factory crimp die



Here is a pulled bullet showing the crimped groove created by the crimp die. I would use a taper crimp die but I don't have one and I guess I never saw any ill affects from roll crimping them

 

[Walkalong]

Wow, that Berrys is really holding up well.

 

[Skinnedknuckles]

For .38/.357, assuming like me you like the FCD, an alternative to a taper crimp die is to order a Lee FCD 9mm taper crimp sleeve and cut it down to the length of the .38 crimp sleeve (SKU: SU3147, it is soft steel and easy to cut and grind smooth). Works great with plated bullets with or without cannelure.