dies for .38 spl /.357

Timfoilhat

Timfoilhat

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Are there specific dies I should be looking for to load .38 spl and .357? One brand better or worse? I use a Redding T7 and have only ever used Forster and RCBS dies so far. Trying to say I don't know what I don't know here.
 
For 38 or 357mag, I’ve had great luck with the Lee dies. Their 38 die set can be use for either 38 or 357, but they do make a collet style crimp die for 357 (won’t work for 38) that I highly prefer. For crimping 38, I just use the regular FCD that comes with the 4 die set.
 
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Lee makes a good die for just about every standard caliber. And I like that their rifle seating die does not crimp. I had a turret press at one time with plates for all the calibers and had them set up with Lee's. Eventually I found I could not live with the tilt in the turret plate. So now I put up with the tilt in a Dillon 550 and or 650 shell plate. At least they are semi progressive and fully progessive respectively. As I have "progressed" in my loading, I found that I really like a micrometer top seater for dialing in those seating depths. Redding makes a good one. You can buy their standard seating die and add the micrometer later. Having said all that I use a standard Lee 4 die set for 38/357 and 44spl/44mag.
 
I prefer RCBS, it’s just what I started with so I stick with them. Also have Dillon, Hornady, and Redding, they all work too. Gave away the Lee dies just because I had too many and someone else had a need and a preference for them.
 
I happen to like the Hornady dies because of the nitride sizing ring and the sliding seater tube. Sometimes, I've had Lee dies that over worked the brass a little. But, they're generally good dies. And their specialty dies can't be best, like the universal decapping and pistol FCD's.

I have RCBS, Lee, Hornady, Redding...
 
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Never tried the Hornady Custom grade dies. The nitride sizer sounds interesting. THe Forster sliding (spring loaded) seaters dont work to well on compressed or near compressed charges. You get inconsistent seating depths. Never tried the Hornady sliding seater die. Worth a try.
 
I don't know if the nitride is really any slicker than the other dies, but I lik'em. The sliding seater tube feels like it helps keep the bullet aligned during the seat process, again, real or not.
 
I like the Hornady sliding seater die for 45acp, never tried it with 38/357 but I imagine it would work well. The nitride coating I have heard can wear off with a lot of use though I have never experienced it myself. The only way I have heard that you can damage a carbide sizing die is if you adjust it too low, jam it with a shellholder, and crack it. I’ve never experienced that, either.
 
I've loaded 10Ks of .38/.357 on Lee, Hornady, and Dillon dies. All great.
Lee FCD is a must for magnums, to pick one I would get the Lee 4 die set and never look back.
 
I tend to go with RCBS with some Redding, Lyman, and occasionally some Lee. Most of my Dillon heads have Dillon dies on them. If you do get Lee dies and are using a single stage press, getting rings that can lock to replace those rings that have an O-ring will save you from having to readjust the dies every time you put them back into your press.

I have some RCBS dies from when I started loading back in the 1960's that are strictly for 357 and that would not load 38 Special. The sizing die was fine for both, but the expander die with the primer punch on it would bottom out on 38 Special before the case was sized. Those old steel dies are useful at times because the sizing die can size closer to the base than later carbide dies.
PXL_20220208_133600204.jpg
 
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Easy to drill and tap those soft Lee lock rings for a set screw on one of the flats.
Fancy Redding knurled locking set screw rings are round and need a fancy $pecial wrench to loosen them . . . :rolleyes:

I use the Hornady LockNload bushings so any die gets locked against the bushing flange anyway, on the Dillon I use the 1" Dillon lock rings for EZ wrench access on the toolhead. I never have to readjust a single die; seating dies have adjustable stems anyway if you switch bullets.
 
Jmoser said:
Easy to drill and tap those soft Lee lock rings for a set screw on one of the flats.
Fancy Redding knurled locking set screw rings are round and need a fancy $pecial wrench to loosen them . . . :rolleyes:

I use the Hornady LockNload bushings so any die gets locked against the bushing flange anyway, on the Dillon I use the 1" Dillon lock rings for EZ wrench access on the toolhead. I never have to readjust a single die; seating dies have adjustable stems anyway if you switch bullets.
Click to expand...

There are several ways around the Lee rings, but some do require additional expense or work. Neither replacement rings nor LockNload bushings are free. There are several makers in addition to Redding that offer locking rings. Some systems allow you to set them once and leave them set. The OP should be aware of the ring situation with the Lee dies.

Dillon dies also do not have locking rings since they would generally be set into a removable head and would not need to be removed frequently. Dillons are great dies but would not be the best choice for someone using a single stage press since they do not include an expander die. The case is expanded by the powder drop tube that comes with each caliber conversion kit. An individual expander die by some other maker would be needed.
 
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