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Jim Watson · December 21, 2001, 09:19 AM

I think any name brand loading die will do you just fine.
I have no experience with RCBS Cowboy dies
http://www.rcbs.com/equipment.html
but have loaded an awful lot of ammo on their regular dies, .357 cast and jacketed included.
Lyman is good, CH and Lee are OK. Redding has a terriffic reputation and I know a happy Bonanza user. I don't have any Hornady dies, but have read that the titanium nitride coated band in the sizing die serves the same purpose as everybody else's carbide insert - no case lube required.

I would get dies listed as .38-.357 so you could handle .38 Special brass if the need arose. Even if they are not marked for both, you can load Magnums with any Special die set I have ever seen, but not the other way around

December 21, 2001, 09:19 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	I think any name brand loading die will do you just fine. I have no experience with RCBS Cowboy dies http://www.rcbs.com/equipment.html but have loaded an awful lot of ammo on their regular dies, .357 cast and jacketed included. Lyman is good, CH and Lee are OK. Redding has a terriffic reputation and I know a happy Bonanza user. I don't have any Hornady dies, but have read that the titanium nitride coated band in the sizing die serves the same purpose as everybody else's carbide insert - no case lube required. I would get dies listed as .38-.357 so you could handle .38 Special brass if the need arose. Even if they are not marked for both, you can load Magnums with any Special die set I have ever seen, but not the other way around