Lee Loader... .357 only?

[ApacheCoTodd]

I picked this from an estate sale last week and it seems to be one of those "worst case scenario" items I should salt away. As it currently seems to be set up as one of my favorite all-around calibers, I'm thinking to vacuum pack it with some componentry and it got me to thinkin'...

Is this - in its current boxed form - .357 only? What does it take to use one of these for .38 Special as well?

I see that it seems to have a generalized "pistol... and straight sided rifle cartridges" designation but as it sits is seems pretty committed to .357.

Another tool I've had for years and used to throw.38 lead and reload is this funky Ideal tool. Great campfire/mountain cabin activity and decent rounds too.

 

[jcwit]

It will load both 38 spec and 357 mag. Just adjust the bullet seating depth. I have a Lee Loader that I use at the range and use it for both.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I was always of the impression with the Lee Loader you needed to buy one each for the .38 Special and .357 Magnum. They do sell both and I would think if you could do both on 1 loader they wouldn't have 2 different tools.

Lee used to sell dies for the 38/357 and a dedicated 357 set but the dedicated 357 dies are no longer available. Just making a point...

 

[jcwit]

Per my copy of "The Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversion's" by John J. Donnelly, the only diffewrence in the two cases of 38 Spec & 357 Mag is the case length. So thereby adjusting the depth of the bullet would be the only difference to loading said cartridges. Well the powder charge of course would be different for each.

Worse case one might need a shorter seating rod, however mine works for both.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Per my copy of "The Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversion's" by John J. Donnelly, the only diffewrence in the two cases of 38 Spec & 357 Mag is the case length. So thereby adjusting the depth of the bullet would be the only difference to loading said cartridges. Well the powder charge of course would be different for each.

Hey, that's a distinct possibility and I can't dispute what you say since I don't own one (or both) and have never used one in 38 or 357.

 

[Lost Sheep]

I was always of the impression with the Lee Loader you needed to buy one each for the .38 Special and .357 Magnum. They do sell both and I would think if you could do both on 1 loader they wouldn't have 2 different tools.

Lee used to sell dies for the 38/357 and a dedicated 357 set but the dedicated 357 dies are no longer available. Just making a point...

This is what I understood, too.

The Lee Loader provides neck-sizing only. The die for that is the right length to match up with the neck of the 38 or .357 cartridge, which are different. So the die body for the 38 matches the 38 cartridge and the .357 die matches the 357 cartridge.

Same applies for the crimping die.

Now, you CAN use one set for the other cartridge (but I am not sure if they are compatible in both directions. I suspect the 38 can be used on .357 but not the other way around) but you have to be careful to not over-work the brass. Not hard to do, but just be aware.

Lost Sheep

 

[hang fire]

As case lengths are different, what about bullet crimping?

 

[jcwit]

Not a problem as when crimping using a Lee Loader case length or cartridge length is of no consequence.

Just thought of something, its possible the dipper is different for each.

 

[Lost Sheep]

(edited for focus) its possible the dipper is different for each.

Dippers are different, but if you don't get an assortment, you are practising false economy. Using just the one that came with your "kit" SEVERELY limits your powder and power options.

Opinion alert: If you don't use a scale to verify the powder charges, you are practising dangerous loading. Dippers are great, but you have to check them.

Not a problem as when crimping using a Lee Loader case length or cartridge length is of no consequence.

I am not sure whether or not a 38 Special case is long enough to reach the sizing portion or the crimping portion of the respective .357 dies. So, I think you can use the 38 dies for .357, but possibly not the other way around. But, I am not absolutely sure. (edit: See post #13 for testimony that makes it sure. .357 dies can work 38 special cases.)

Lost Sheep

 

[Bush Pilot]

I picked this from an estate sale last week and it seems to be one of those "worst case scenario" items I should salt away. As it currently seems to be set up as one of my favorite all-around calibers, I'm thinking to vacuum pack it with some componentry and it got me to thinkin'...

Is this - in its current boxed form - .357 only? What does it take to use one of these for .38 Special as well?

I see that it seems to have a generalized "pistol... and straight sided rifle cartridges" designation but as it sits is seems pretty committed to .357.

Another tool I've had for years and used to throw.38 lead and reload is this funky Ideal tool. Great campfire/mountain cabin activity and decent rounds too.

Can you load a 1,000 or so and get back to us with a report? See ya in 6 months.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Thanks fellas. JCWIT: In going back at it I see that the seating adjustability covers the range to and through .38 Special using this wheel below.

hangfire: The crimping process such as it is has no bearing on the particular caliber with this tool.

JCWIT: As for the dipper - I have a couple or beautiful antique adjustable/setable dippers should it come to that.

I damn near blew this off as I had a Lee hand-press in the past and couldn't stand it. The more I'm lookin' at this, the more I like. I think it'll snuggle up next to my boxed Turret press for traveling.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Can you load a 1,000 or so and get back to us with a report? See ya in 6 months.

I have real outfits for serious reloading and figured this for cabin - badlands type of things like when I use my Ideal .38 Special handpress/mold outfit.

 

[jcwit]

I am not sure whether or not a 38 Special case is long enough to reach the sizing portion or the crimping portion of the respective .357 dies. So, I think you can use the 38 dies for .357,

My .357 Mag Lee Loader sizes 38 Spec cases just fine.

The crimping step is done by turning the sizing die over/upside down, placing the cartridge on the tapered hole on the bottom of the sizing die and placing the decapping chamber over the base of the case and giving the decapping chamber a tap. Length of case or cartridge means nothing.

 

[jcwit]

I have real outfits for serious reloading and figured this for cabin - badlands type of things like when I use my Ideal .38 Special handpress/mold outfit.

Absolutly! The Lee Loaders are just the nuts for working up loads at the range or reloading small amounts of ammo. I also can't see using a hand press, fumbling around with that thing.

I just purchased an almost new Winchester 30/30 for $175 bucks. It will never go hunting as I can no longer get into the woods. But for the few times I'll shoot this particular rifle it will more than do the job. If I shoot this rifle 50 times a year it will be alot.

For other rifles I use a bench mounted press. To name just one, I now have over 2,000 rounds thru my M-1 Carbine. This does not count 45 ACP, 9 mm, 223 Rem., 380 ACP, etc., etc.

BTW Bush Pilot, I could reload a heck of a lot more than 1,000 rounds using a Lee Loader, in a lot less than 6 months. Heck, I can tumble double that in one night.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Funny that it seldom occurs to me to look for videos to view (my generation, I guess) but I stumbled upon one of a fella de-priming, neck sizing, priming, charging and seating the projectile to build a .223 round in exactly 40 seconds. Nice relaxing pace for me and reminded me that I have two complete sets of RCBS dippers about here somewhere.

 

[Lost Sheep]

My .357 Mag Lee Loader sizes 38 Spec cases just fine.

The crimping step is done by turning the sizing die over/upside down, placing the cartridge on the tapered hole on the bottom of the sizing die and placing the decapping chamber over the base of the case and giving the decapping chamber a tap. Length of case or cartridge means nothing.

Good to know. Thanks. I will edit my prior post.

Lost Sheep