Lee .40/10mm die confusion

[Racinbob]

I just picked up a 10mm S&W 1006 and now need dies. I know that .40 and 10mm dies are the "same" but the Lee catalog has me wondering. The 4 die set is available for .40 (not the 10mm)and the sub note states "can be used to load magnum cases". I'm sure they mean 10mm and just didn't want to add another sub note so used the same they used for .38/.357. BUT, the 3 die carbide set is a different part number. I thought it could be just because they had the 10mm chart in it. BUT, the powder through expanding die alone is s/o for the 10mm and just doesn't list the same p/n as the .40. Is there a slight difference in the expanding dies? I know I could just get the 4 die .40 set and be fine but I'd prefer to know why it's like this in the catalog.

 

[Exposure]

Racinbob-

If I had to guess it would be because of the load data they include with each set of dies.

All the Lee brand dies I have purchased have come with an instruction sheet that contained load data on it as well.

Just a guess though. I have the Lee set for .40 but the dies are stamped 40/10MM so they are definitely the same thing.

 

[Racinbob]

Thanks Exposure. That issue with the expanding die is weird. I'm pretty anal and will piece meal a set together if I need to since I don't load .40 but I think just getting the 4 die .40 set will be fine. Does your expanding die have
.40/10mm stamped on it?

 

[wow6599]

They are the same. For some reason the 3 die set only says 40S&W on it, but if you get the 4 die deluxe set (factory crimp die) it is marked as 40S&W/10MM.
At least mine does.

 

[Racinbob]

It's done then Wow. I'll go ahead and get the 4 die set. Thank you.

 

[General Tso]

They only provide load data for 40 with the die set.

 

[Walkalong]

Don't let that be a deal breaker. There is plenty of 10MM data at the powder companies websites. (In all the manuals too)

 

[jfh]

...and, IIRC, the "can be used to load magnum cases" refers to the 10mm (Rimmed) Magnum. Case LOA, 1.300. Typical performance with 180 gr, ca. 1480 fps, 880 fl lbs--
(data courtesy of AmmoGuide Interactive).

It's the same idea as the 38 Spl / 357 Magnum / 357 Maximum, IOW.

Jim H.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

Just pick up a phone and dial 262-673-3075. They'll tell you exactly what you want to know.

 

[Racinbob]

Thanks everyone. I do have several manuals so I don't care about what chart is supplied. The dipper may be different but that doesn't matter either. Gadzooks, calling the factory just isn't as much fun as asking the great folks here.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

Good point. Besides, we're prettier.

 

[evan price]

My 3-die Lee .40 set is stamped .40/10mm. I really can't envision any scenario where the dies would not be interchangeable.

I know Lee does make for example a 38/357 die set which does either, and a 357 mag/maximum die set that won't do .38 spl due to being too long inside. Same for .32 S&W (does 32 Long but not H&R mag) and .32 H&R Mag (does .32 long, but not 32 short).
Obviously, not a problem for the .40 dies.

 

[LiveLife]

I received a 40S&W Lee carbide 3 die set from MidwayUSA last week. I ordered:

Lee Carbide 3-Die Set 40 S&W, 10mm Auto
Product #: 280965 Manufacturer #: 90799

It is marked "40 Cal Smith & Wesson 90799" on the documentation

Deprime/sizing die - LEE-10/40 C9
Flare/powder pour die - LEE-40 S&W-J8
Taper crimp/bullet seat die - LEE-40 S&W-K8

 

[Purple Rice]

Same dies, just different load data supplied with it (which you probably won't use anyway)

 

[jfh]

FWIW--the alpha-(single-digit)number suffix is Lee's code for month and year of manufacture. So, in bds' post above, the sizing die was made in March 2009.

So I was told when I chased down 38 / 357 die variants in 2007.

Jim H.

 

[gunslinger720]

RACINBOB there is also a rebated rim just as the 40 s&w and 10mm and its called the 10mm magnum it could be for that or it could have the Factory crimp die with the set as I had to buy mine seperate. I'm sure about the 10mm Magnum aS I'm looking at one of the cases now that Midway sent me when I ordered 3 boxes of std 10mm. I bought my set and it was the red container carbide set but was unaware of the Factory crimp die until later and I'm glad I did as I love the crimp and you cannot crush a case overcrimping If its a factory crimp die it'll look like the bullet seating die but won't move the bullet only crimp the case

 

[Broken Anvil]

I use the Lee 4 die set to load my 10mm for my S&W 1006. It does say 40 on it but it loads 10mm just fine. No difference except for a longer case. Get a couple of current reloading manuals like Speer and Lyman for reference. Be sure to get the carbide 4 die set with the factory crimp, you'll thank me later. Check with Midwayusa for Starline brass in 10mm, it's the best deal going on brass, when you can find it.

 

[gunslinger720]

I have the Lee 40/10mm 3 die set the fourth die being the factory crimp die but have loaded hundreds of 40's and 10mm and bought the factory crimp die seperately as I didn't know of it at the time- 3 years ago but yes they are the same dies. and my Die set is labeled 40 cal. S&W but inside on the Powder chart it has a Quote in Black that states to load 10mm back out the seating die and powder through Expanding die 2 turns out. as I've said I've loaded Hundreds of 10mm with these dies and about 2,000 40 S&W's they work and work good but do yourself a favor get the carbide Dies or when you have to lube all cases when sizing you'll wish you did