38/357 die question

[Bis]

Am I dreaming or is the a spacer that you can buy so that you can adjust your die for a 357 with the spacer in place and then if you want to load 38's you just remove the spacer. Also is the same true for 44 mag/44 special. Thanks for any help/info.

[Hobie]

Google is your friend...

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?p ... ber=189290

[Bis]

Thank you sir. I looked at Midway earlier today but couldn't find them. Neat idea.

Ken

[mouthpiece]

Buy a 7/8 washer @ local hardware store. Cheaper/faster. Same thing Midway sells ya.

[J Miller]

What mouthpiece said. The washer is also cheaper so you can buy several and find one exactly just right for your dies.

I started hand loading long before RCBS, Lyman, and the others began the "one size fits all" nonsense. I have one carbide die that fits the 38 / 357 and a separate .38 Spcl and .357 Mag die set. I find that works so much better than using one die set and adjusting them for two different length cartridges, or using a spacer washer.

Now, my .44 Mag die is more recent and is labeled as a combo die. Yuck.
Oh well I guess I'll have to try the washer. Oh wait, I can't. I'm using a Bonanza Co-Ax press and there's no way the washer will fit. Hmmm, guess I'll have to buy another die set if I ever get both a .44 Special and Mag at the same time.

Joe

[Newtmaker]

I use a Lee Classic Turret press with the extra turrets readily available. I solved the problem by getting two sets of dies, one for 357 and one for 38 Special. It has proven to be a very nice and handy approach. The dies are cheap so it doesn't add that much as to expense.

Walt

[mouthpiece]

What mouthpiece said.
Now, my .44 Mag die is more recent and is labeled as a combo die. Yuck.
Oh well I guess I'll have to try the washer. Oh wait, I can't. I'm using a Bonanza Co-Ax press and there's no way the washer will fit.

Joe

Grinder! (the abrasive machine -- not the sandwich) :>)

[J Miller]

What mouthpiece said.
Now, my .44 Mag die is more recent and is labeled as a combo die. Yuck.
Oh well I guess I'll have to try the washer. Oh wait, I can't. I'm using a Bonanza Co-Ax press and there's no way the washer will fit.

Joe

Grinder! (the abrasive machine -- not the sandwich) :>)

Yeah that would thin it out really good. Except the Co-Ax doesn't use the thread in die mounting system like every body else does. It uses a slot to slide the dies in and out. There is no room for the washer as the slot is just big enough for the dies lock ring.

It's a great press but it does lack a few features found on regular presses.

Joe

[Griff]

this thread made me think. I know my .357/.38 RCBS die set is probably about 30 something years old. I've never even noticed if there's something different I need to install to load the longer .357s. Have to check when I get home later this week.

[Chuck 100 yd]

New RCBS dies for SOME pistol cartridges now come with the ring.
My .44 mag and .357 die sets have them.

I dont load .38 sp. and load very little .44 sp. so adjusting the dies don't bother me. They only work "kinda" anyway do to the crimp needs to be adjusted differently when using another bullet or when the brass is not trimmed exactly to spec. . If ya gotta adjust it for crimp amount,why not adjust for length?
My die lock nuts don`t get locked down on pistol cartridge due to this.
When I want the die lock nuts locked at one setting, that die gets one of the Hornady split type lock nuts. They are a very good lock ring IMHO