.357 and .38 Special dies the same? - The Firearms Forum

LesterPTelestrat · 02-27-2011, 09:00 PM

Are they one in the same? I'm about to buy a .357 and want to know if I can buy one set of dies to reload either .357 or .38 spcl.

Thanks,

Lester

Alpo · 02-27-2011, 09:03 PM

They sell 38 dies, 357 dies and 38/357 dies.

357 dies may not bell the case enough on a 38 special (depends on who made the die, and how old it is), or they may not crimp it.

38 dies will do either, and certainly 38/357 dies will do either.

woolleyworm · 02-27-2011, 09:33 PM

a quick trick for 357 is to set up your dies for the 38's and then use a 1/8" thick washer under your expanding,seating and crimping dies. Works great as long as you're using the same bullets. Decapping/sizing die is set the same for both.

Dirtypacman · 02-28-2011, 10:32 AM

I just went for the 38/357 dies - have worked like a charm on my dillon

hunter29180 · 02-28-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woolleyworm

a quick trick for 357 is to set up your dies for the 38's and then use a 1/8" thick washer under your expanding,seating and crimping dies. Works great as long as you're using the same bullets. Decapping/sizing die is set the same for both.

you sure? thought the 357 were longer than the 38 spec????

Crpdeth · 02-28-2011, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunter29180

you sure? thought the 357 were longer than the 38 spec????

They are... Apparently 1/8" longer. If I read Chris right, you put the washer under the die which raises it 1/8".

Gotta try that.

Crpdeth

woolleyworm · 02-28-2011, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunter29180

you sure? thought the 357 were longer than the 38 spec????

Yes sir, exactly 1/8" longer, when you place the washer under your 38 adjusted dies, it lenthens them by 1/8", perfectly set up for 357 !

Snakedriver · 02-28-2011, 08:39 PM

My RCBS .38/.357 Dies came with a 1/8" thick spacer to put under the dies as discussed. It works pretty slick. It's just a big round washer with a hole in the middle big enough for the dies to fit through.

RJay · 02-28-2011, 09:01 PM

My Lee dies need no stinking washer (

or is that " badges ?"), just adjusting for which cartridge you are loading

Snakedriver · 02-28-2011, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJay

My Lee dies need no stinking washer (

or is that " badges ?"), just adjusting for which cartridge you are loading

...........but RJay, you're missing the point. With the washer provided with the RCBS Dies you only have to set them up one time for .38's. Then after that to convert to .357 Mag's., you just have to add the washer and it's ready to go ba-da-bing.

Alpo · 02-28-2011, 09:10 PM

Redding sells a three-pack of spacers. One for changing 38 to 357. One for changing 44 special to 44 magnum (the length difference in those two is different than 38/357 length difference), and a skinny one that goes under your seat/crimp die, so you don't crimp the case, in case you want to use a separate crimping die.

gun-nut · 03-03-2011, 04:55 AM

38/357 dies will do the 357 maximum as well. but you will have to reset the dies. a washer will not work for the 357 max. the lee and rcbs dies will do all 3.

02-27-2011, 09:00 PM	#1
LesterPTelestrat V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 65	.357 and .38 Special dies the same? Are they one in the same? I'm about to buy a .357 and want to know if I can buy one set of dies to reload either .357 or .38 spcl. Thanks, Lester -->

02-27-2011, 09:03 PM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,667	Re: .357 and .38 Special dies the same? They sell 38 dies, 357 dies and 38/357 dies. 357 dies may not bell the case enough on a 38 special (depends on who made the die, and how old it is), or they may not crimp it. 38 dies will do either, and certainly 38/357 dies will do either. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

02-27-2011, 09:33 PM	#3
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,884	Re: .357 and .38 Special dies the same? a quick trick for 357 is to set up your dies for the 38's and then use a 1/8" thick washer under your expanding,seating and crimping dies. Works great as long as you're using the same bullets. Decapping/sizing die is set the same for both. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

02-28-2011, 10:32 AM	#4
Dirtypacman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Merrimac Valley, MA Posts: 908	Re: .357 and .38 Special dies the same? I just went for the 38/357 dies - have worked like a charm on my dillon __________________ Member HHRG and HSC, NRA Life Member, GOAL Member LTC-A

02-28-2011, 08:39 PM	#8
Snakedriver Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SW. Florida Posts: 1,219	Re: .357 and .38 Special dies the same? My RCBS .38/.357 Dies came with a 1/8" thick spacer to put under the dies as discussed. It works pretty slick. It's just a big round washer with a hole in the middle big enough for the dies to fit through. __________________ Fear is a reaction..........Courage is a decision

02-28-2011, 09:01 PM	#9
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,487	Re: .357 and .38 Special dies the same? My Lee dies need no stinking washer ( or is that " badges ?"), just adjusting for which cartridge you are loading __________________ RonJames

02-28-2011, 09:10 PM	#11
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,667	Re: .357 and .38 Special dies the same? Redding sells a three-pack of spacers. One for changing 38 to 357. One for changing 44 special to 44 magnum (the length difference in those two is different than 38/357 length difference), and a skinny one that goes under your seat/crimp die, so you don't crimp the case, in case you want to use a separate crimping die. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

03-03-2011, 04:55 AM	#12
gun-nut Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: ohio Contributor Posts: 931	Re: .357 and .38 Special dies the same? 38/357 dies will do the 357 maximum as well. but you will have to reset the dies. a washer will not work for the 357 max. the lee and rcbs dies will do all 3. __________________ Don't retreat just reload.