Is it wise to use 38-55 dies to load 375 Winchester cartridges? I figure I'll have to have a different Lee FCD. What say you?
Goat
375 Win question
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375 Win question
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Re: 375 Win question
I'm thinking the expander plug is larger but other than that I can't see what it would hurt. I just got my M375 Marlin and I really like it.
"I have reached up to the gun rack and taken down the .30/30 carbine by some process of natural selection, not condoned perhaps by many experts but easily explained by those who spend long periods in the wilderness areas."~Calvin Rutstrum~
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Griff
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Re: 375 Win question
Not really sure... but you can load .38-55 using .375 dies. Depending on the specific rifle, it might not be a good idea, as some run groove diameter as large as .381.
The trim length on the .375 is shorter than the .38-55 and as said, the expander plug may be a bit large for the .375. The crimp flange on the .38-55 dies might be a bit more farther up in the seating die and may not contact the trimmed cases before the die hits the shell holder. Can't hurt to try... but, I wouldn't specifically buy a set of .38-55 dies to load the .375. The .375 dies are readily available from RCBS: .375 Dies
The trim length on the .375 is shorter than the .38-55 and as said, the expander plug may be a bit large for the .375. The crimp flange on the .38-55 dies might be a bit more farther up in the seating die and may not contact the trimmed cases before the die hits the shell holder. Can't hurt to try... but, I wouldn't specifically buy a set of .38-55 dies to load the .375. The .375 dies are readily available from RCBS: .375 Dies
Griff,
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SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
Re: 375 Win question
Lee makes them and they are very reasonable.
"I have reached up to the gun rack and taken down the .30/30 carbine by some process of natural selection, not condoned perhaps by many experts but easily explained by those who spend long periods in the wilderness areas."~Calvin Rutstrum~
"You come to the swamp, you better leave your skirt at the house"~Dave Canterbury~
"You come to the swamp, you better leave your skirt at the house"~Dave Canterbury~
Re: 375 Win question
Thanks to all. I should have noted that I already have a JES rebore 38/55 and have dies for it. It is bored .375-.376 and my 38/55 dies are doing fine for the tight bore. I will get a Lee FCD for the 375 since I know the way they work is length specific. I will give the 38/55 dies a try with the 375 brass and see what happens when the rifle gets here.
Goat
Goat
"To know HIM and make HIM known"
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ozymandias
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Re: 375 Win question
I've been loading 'upper-end' 38-55 loads for my 94BB .375 using the longer (2.120") brass for some time and they work fine. I lightly crimp in the upper groove of the Lyman 375449 and have never had any problems with cycling, and the accuracy of my loads are pretty good. I'm also certain that I could load 'hotter' with no ill effect, but I'm happy with the performance I'm getting now.
The fact that those rounds cycle and chamber so well indicates to me that the rifle has a pretty long chamber and throat. The only problem I can think of would be the risk of inadvertently chambering a 38-55 cartridge loaded to .375 Win. pressures in an actual 38-55. I don't own a 38-55 presently (alas) but I would still label any rounds I loaded out of spec. with some kind of precautionary statement.
The fact that those rounds cycle and chamber so well indicates to me that the rifle has a pretty long chamber and throat. The only problem I can think of would be the risk of inadvertently chambering a 38-55 cartridge loaded to .375 Win. pressures in an actual 38-55. I don't own a 38-55 presently (alas) but I would still label any rounds I loaded out of spec. with some kind of precautionary statement.