357 and 38 special - get an extra die set or adjust the one I have?

revolvers_good · August 11, 2013, 07:06 AM

I have 38sp/357 Lee carbide die set. I have been using it for 357 mag loading. I have some 38 special brass, and want to load those. I read that I can use the same set of dies, adjusting the depth they are set to. However, now that they are set up for 357 in my single stage press, I think I might get another set, and use those just for 38 special, and not have to worry about getting depths set correctly when changing back to 357.

For those of you who load both 38 special and 357 magnum, what do you do? One set of dies or two?

hAkron · August 11, 2013, 07:15 AM

RBCS includes a washer that you can use as a shim which compensates for the length difference between 38 special and 357 magnum. You set your dies up for 38 special, then when you want to load 357, you use the shim on the expander die then on the sweater die. This probably works in a pinch, but ultimately, you are better off with dedicated dies. Every 3 boxes of ammo saves you close to the cost of a set of dies.

Nathan · August 11, 2013, 07:40 AM

I adjust. You can buy shims, but will still adjust some.

I did buy a Redding profile crimp exclusively for 357 for a better crimp and to greatly reduce crimp adjustment.

David Bachelder · August 11, 2013, 08:33 AM

I used the rcbs washers, then got lazy and bought a second set of dies.

Honestly; I prefer the second set over the washers still.

Real Gun · August 11, 2013, 09:10 AM

Another idea is to sell the brass. .38 Spl in a .357 will just mess up your mind, make you a recoil wimp, and create rings in your cylinder.

Misssissippi Dave · August 11, 2013, 10:33 AM

I have tried the spacer that came with the RCBS dies. It gets you close but you do have to still make adjustments. I finally just got another set of dies to solve the problem. Still others have used a chronograph to load .38 special equivalent loads using .357 Magnum cases and no longer use any .38 special cases. You do need to keep them separated to prevent confusion. I don't shoot many special loads any longer. I normally only use them to introduce people this format. I'm to the point of only loading .38 specials once a year but I load a lot more .357 magnums fairly often. I have a load I don't want things changed so I want my dies set and left alone. This means I have to have a second set of dies.

Nick_C_S · August 11, 2013, 10:52 AM

I'm right there with Dave Bachelder. I have RCBS, with the shim. But I got lazy and just bought a second set. "Lazy"? "Practical"? It's a gray area since I load a lot of both 38 & 357.

corky52 · August 11, 2013, 10:54 AM

I have use same dies in a Lee Classic Turret. I load .38 and .357 in batches. I'll load all the .38 then adjust and do the .357, or vice versa. Not a big deal to adjust. 5 minutes or less.

LSU · August 11, 2013, 10:59 AM

I have to respectfully disagree with the above posters.

I loaded .38/.357 for years using RCBS carbide dies.

For the .38 I was mostly loading 148 grain Hollow Base WadCutters over Bullseye powder. Also loaded some 158 grain cast SWC also over Bullseye.

For the .357 I loaded I was shooting Speer 125 grain Jacketed Hollow Points over Unique.

I never had a problem going back and forth between the loads.

My dies are old (30+ years) so I’m not sure what folks are talking about a washer as a shim but in my RCBS Rockchucker, Jr. I did not and do not have to use a shim. In my die set up, I just dial up/back the dies to fit the difference in the case length/crimp length necessary for .357.

I can’t speak firsthand about your set up so maybe the other posters are correct about having to use a second set of dies but if money is tight or you have reloading gear you might want to buy, I’d try to figure out how to make do with one set of dies.

As to loading and shooting .357, I agree that while it is “fun” to shoot, it is also more expensive than the plain old .38 special rounds. I think that after you develop a good .357 load (assuming you can find jacketed bullets if that’s what you like to shoot) – you’ll load up a bunch and then find yourself shooting more .38’s because of cost, recoil, etc.

Good luck with all of this.

carl86 · August 11, 2013, 11:12 AM

I agree with LSU ,have no problem switching from 38sp to 357mag, I use lee four die set and a reading spacer on a RCBS single stage,I do use the same style bullet on both.

overkill0084 · August 11, 2013, 11:32 AM

I load mostly .357 and only occasionally do up a batch of .38 special. I find that adjusting the dies to .38 and back really isn't that big of a deal.
I actually considered getting another turret and die set, but it just didn't seem worth it. It only takes a few minutes to make the adjustment.

mikld · August 11, 2013, 12:07 PM

Actually, it's no big deal, especially with a single stage press. I reloaded .38/.357 interchangeably for years. With experience, you'll learns "short cuts" to cutting a lot of fiddling (I would use a loaded cartridge for a "sample" to adjust dies quickly, get close with the "sample" and fine tune.)...

boondocker385 · August 11, 2013, 12:18 PM

I load as much 38 as 357 since I train newbies with it. I don't mind changing and generally "know" where the two are by the lock ring position.

ljnowell · August 11, 2013, 03:04 PM

To me it just seems silly not to adjust your dies. If you load two different bullet profiles and charge weights in the same caliber do you buy two sets of dies and powder measure?

Peter M. Eick · August 11, 2013, 05:37 PM

It takes time to adjust and dies are dirt cheap on ebay or at gun shows. I used to adjust dies, now I just buy another set. Rusty ones can be polished in the tumbler and then "set and forget". Life is too short to spend time adjusting dies over and over again. I now am down to dies for just a particular bullet, let alone for the same caliber.

grisbald · August 11, 2013, 06:02 PM

I adjust mine. If you shoot a lot of each, I can see getting a second set.

fshfindr · August 11, 2013, 10:17 PM

Corky52 +2

Qtiphky · August 12, 2013, 07:31 AM

I have one set of Lee dies for these two calibers. It's not a problem to adjust when you switch between the two. Even if you left them set up, you really kind of need to adjust when you start a new batch anyway to ensure that they haven't been disturbed. I have the same set up for 40 S7W and 10mm. They are the same dies, I just adjust them based on the instructions so I can use them for both.

Constrictor · August 12, 2013, 08:43 AM

get 2 sets of dies, they are cheap.

BigD_in_FL · August 12, 2013, 09:38 AM

I agree with LSU - 35 years of using the RCBS washer without adjustments has produced perfect ammo every time; don't understand why folks are having to make adjustments unless they are using two completely different styles of bullets. In my case, I load a 158 LSWC or a 158 JHP - all seat and get crimped in the proper location

Shootest · August 12, 2013, 09:44 AM

I have 5 sets of 38/357 dies so I’m probably bias, but I would get a second set.

PoiDog · August 12, 2013, 08:23 PM

I went with the two sets of dies. For what dies cost at the time, under $30, it was worth it to me.

If Lee dies are preferred, it is really inexpensive to have two sets.

To each his own.

Crashbox · August 12, 2013, 10:15 PM

I much prefer at least two die sets for each cartridge/firearm I load for, because I don't like to mess with die adjustment. However, sometimes one set will be used for a very minor purpose, e.g., loading Speer .38 shotshells instead of .357 Magnum- I set these up once and put them aside (though I have enough empty shells for several lifetimes' supply where I currently live).

I just find it easier, YMMV.

zxcvbob · August 12, 2013, 10:19 PM

Buy a set of used *steel* .38 Special dies, cheap. Toss the sizing die in your junk box (you can take the lock ring off first.) Use your existing carbide sizing die for both sets, because you don't have to readjust that die when switching back and forth between .38 and .357

A pause for the COZ · August 13, 2013, 12:05 AM

I have 4 sets of 38 special and 357 dies. You only need one set with the Carbide sizing die.
The old sets go for cheap on Ebay. I have two LEE sets and a Lyman set and RCBS set.

The RCBS set came with a decapping die that I use to decap all kinds of Pistol brass. Plus it has a real nice SWC bullet seating die.

The Lyman set has a real nice expander die.

I size and prime in batches.
Then I have 4 turrets preset for what ever kind of bullet I am loading.
Worth it as long as you can get the old sets for 10 bucks or less.

August 11, 2013, 07:06 AM	#1
revolvers_good Member Join Date: May 11, 2013 Posts: 27	357 and 38 special - get an extra die set or adjust the one I have? I have 38sp/357 Lee carbide die set. I have been using it for 357 mag loading. I have some 38 special brass, and want to load those. I read that I can use the same set of dies, adjusting the depth they are set to. However, now that they are set up for 357 in my single stage press, I think I might get another set, and use those just for 38 special, and not have to worry about getting depths set correctly when changing back to 357. For those of you who load both 38 special and 357 magnum, what do you do? One set of dies or two?

August 11, 2013, 07:15 AM	#2
hAkron Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2011 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 318	357 and 38 special - get an extra die set or adjust the one I have? RBCS includes a washer that you can use as a shim which compensates for the length difference between 38 special and 357 magnum. You set your dies up for 38 special, then when you want to load 357, you use the shim on the expander die then on the sweater die. This probably works in a pinch, but ultimately, you are better off with dedicated dies. Every 3 boxes of ammo saves you close to the cost of a set of dies.

August 11, 2013, 08:33 AM	#4
David Bachelder Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Trinity, Texas Posts: 637	I used the rcbs washers, then got lazy and bought a second set of dies. Honestly; I prefer the second set over the washers still. __________________ David Bachelder Trinity, Texas I load, 9mm Luger, 38 and 40 S&W, 38 Special, 357Magnum, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 223, 300 AAC, 243 and 30-06

August 11, 2013, 10:52 AM	#7
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,619	I'm right there with Dave Bachelder. I have RCBS, with the shim. But I got lazy and just bought a second set. "Lazy"? "Practical"? It's a gray area since I load a lot of both 38 & 357. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

August 11, 2013, 10:59 AM	#9
LSU Member Join Date: May 12, 2013 Posts: 38	I have to respectfully disagree with the above posters. I loaded .38/.357 for years using RCBS carbide dies. For the .38 I was mostly loading 148 grain Hollow Base WadCutters over Bullseye powder. Also loaded some 158 grain cast SWC also over Bullseye. For the .357 I loaded I was shooting Speer 125 grain Jacketed Hollow Points over Unique. I never had a problem going back and forth between the loads. My dies are old (30+ years) so I’m not sure what folks are talking about a washer as a shim but in my RCBS Rockchucker, Jr. I did not and do not have to use a shim. In my die set up, I just dial up/back the dies to fit the difference in the case length/crimp length necessary for .357. I can’t speak firsthand about your set up so maybe the other posters are correct about having to use a second set of dies but if money is tight or you have reloading gear you might want to buy, I’d try to figure out how to make do with one set of dies. As to loading and shooting .357, I agree that while it is “fun” to shoot, it is also more expensive than the plain old .38 special rounds. I think that after you develop a good .357 load (assuming you can find jacketed bullets if that’s what you like to shoot) – you’ll load up a bunch and then find yourself shooting more .38’s because of cost, recoil, etc. Good luck with all of this. Last edited by LSU; August 11, 2013 at 12:19 PM.

August 11, 2013, 07:40 AM	#3
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,825	I adjust. You can buy shims, but will still adjust some. I did buy a Redding profile crimp exclusively for 357 for a better crimp and to greatly reduce crimp adjustment.

August 11, 2013, 09:10 AM	#5
Real Gun Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: SC Posts: 2,743	Another idea is to sell the brass. .38 Spl in a .357 will just mess up your mind, make you a recoil wimp, and create rings in your cylinder.

August 11, 2013, 10:33 AM	#6
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	I have tried the spacer that came with the RCBS dies. It gets you close but you do have to still make adjustments. I finally just got another set of dies to solve the problem. Still others have used a chronograph to load .38 special equivalent loads using .357 Magnum cases and no longer use any .38 special cases. You do need to keep them separated to prevent confusion. I don't shoot many special loads any longer. I normally only use them to introduce people this format. I'm to the point of only loading .38 specials once a year but I load a lot more .357 magnums fairly often. I have a load I don't want things changed so I want my dies set and left alone. This means I have to have a second set of dies.

August 11, 2013, 10:54 AM	#8
corky52 Junior Member Join Date: October 28, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 8	I have use same dies in a Lee Classic Turret. I load .38 and .357 in batches. I'll load all the .38 then adjust and do the .357, or vice versa. Not a big deal to adjust. 5 minutes or less.

August 11, 2013, 11:12 AM	#10
carl86 Junior Member Join Date: July 15, 2012 Posts: 4	I agree with LSU I agree with LSU ,have no problem switching from 38sp to 357mag, I use lee four die set and a reading spacer on a RCBS single stage,I do use the same style bullet on both.

August 11, 2013, 11:32 AM	#11
overkill0084 Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2010 Location: Northern, UT Posts: 1,162	I load mostly .357 and only occasionally do up a batch of .38 special. I find that adjusting the dies to .38 and back really isn't that big of a deal. I actually considered getting another turret and die set, but it just didn't seem worth it. It only takes a few minutes to make the adjustment.

August 11, 2013, 12:07 PM	#12
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	Actually, it's no big deal, especially with a single stage press. I reloaded .38/.357 interchangeably for years. With experience, you'll learns "short cuts" to cutting a lot of fiddling (I would use a loaded cartridge for a "sample" to adjust dies quickly, get close with the "sample" and fine tune.)...

August 11, 2013, 12:18 PM	#13
boondocker385 Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2013 Posts: 640	I load as much 38 as 357 since I train newbies with it. I don't mind changing and generally "know" where the two are by the lock ring position.

August 11, 2013, 03:04 PM	#14
ljnowell Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Posts: 274	To me it just seems silly not to adjust your dies. If you load two different bullet profiles and charge weights in the same caliber do you buy two sets of dies and powder measure?

August 11, 2013, 05:37 PM	#15
Peter M. Eick Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 1999 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,991	It takes time to adjust and dies are dirt cheap on ebay or at gun shows. I used to adjust dies, now I just buy another set. Rusty ones can be polished in the tumbler and then "set and forget". Life is too short to spend time adjusting dies over and over again. I now am down to dies for just a particular bullet, let alone for the same caliber.

August 11, 2013, 06:02 PM	#16
grisbald Member Join Date: October 23, 2011 Posts: 75	I adjust mine. If you shoot a lot of each, I can see getting a second set.

August 11, 2013, 10:17 PM	#17
fshfindr Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 188	Corky52 +2

August 12, 2013, 07:31 AM	#18
Qtiphky Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2008 Location: Upper Michigan, above the Mackinac Bridge Posts: 568	Not a big deal I have one set of Lee dies for these two calibers. It's not a problem to adjust when you switch between the two. Even if you left them set up, you really kind of need to adjust when you start a new batch anyway to ensure that they haven't been disturbed. I have the same set up for 40 S7W and 10mm. They are the same dies, I just adjust them based on the instructions so I can use them for both.

August 12, 2013, 08:43 AM	#19
Constrictor Member Join Date: February 19, 2013 Posts: 49	get 2 sets of dies, they are cheap.

August 12, 2013, 09:38 AM	#20
BigD_in_FL Junior member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: The "Gunshine State" Posts: 1,981	I agree with LSU - 35 years of using the RCBS washer without adjustments has produced perfect ammo every time; don't understand why folks are having to make adjustments unless they are using two completely different styles of bullets. In my case, I load a 158 LSWC or a 158 JHP - all seat and get crimped in the proper location

August 12, 2013, 09:44 AM	#21
Shootest Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Just outside Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 722	I have 5 sets of 38/357 dies so I’m probably bias, but I would get a second set.

August 12, 2013, 08:23 PM	#22
PoiDog Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 1999 Location: IL Posts: 309	I went with the two sets of dies. For what dies cost at the time, under $30, it was worth it to me. If Lee dies are preferred, it is really inexpensive to have two sets. To each his own.

August 12, 2013, 10:15 PM	#23
Crashbox Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2009 Location: Lynden, Washington Posts: 199	I much prefer at least two die sets for each cartridge/firearm I load for, because I don't like to mess with die adjustment. However, sometimes one set will be used for a very minor purpose, e.g., loading Speer .38 shotshells instead of .357 Magnum- I set these up once and put them aside (though I have enough empty shells for several lifetimes' supply where I currently live). I just find it easier, YMMV.

August 12, 2013, 10:19 PM	#24
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Buy a set of used steel .38 Special dies, cheap. Toss the sizing die in your junk box (you can take the lock ring off first.) Use your existing carbide sizing die for both sets, because you don't have to readjust that die when switching back and forth between .38 and .357 __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

August 13, 2013, 12:05 AM	#25
A pause for the COZ Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2012 Location: Braham, Minnesota Posts: 1,314	I have 4 sets of 38 special and 357 dies. You only need one set with the Carbide sizing die. The old sets go for cheap on Ebay. I have two LEE sets and a Lyman set and RCBS set. The RCBS set came with a decapping die that I use to decap all kinds of Pistol brass. Plus it has a real nice SWC bullet seating die. The Lyman set has a real nice expander die. I size and prime in batches. Then I have 4 turrets preset for what ever kind of bullet I am loading. Worth it as long as you can get the old sets for 10 bucks or less.