Smith 686 combat
- Thread starter Wendyj
- Start date
HighValleyRanch
New member
I need to show this to my wife!
Yes. He's tickled pink blue and purple. I done good on this one. It's the ammunition that's so expensive to shoot much. We're re loading for rifles but never a hand gun. Thanks for picture of the Lee dies. They just write under it what it will do at Midway. I was confused. Have you loaded both with yours?
Yeah Wendy, with a set of 38 dies, you should be good to go for both cartridges. A true 357 seater die won't allow you to crimp the bullet in a 38 case. My experience has been with RCBS dies. (older ones) It's always handy to have a set which is adjusted for each cartridge though. I purchase 38/357 dies and parts when I find them in the grab boxes at our gun show. jd
A good rule of thumb for handgun reloading dies is that it's OPPOSITE of the guns themselves. Most know that you can shoot .38 Special in .357 Mag and you can shoot .44 Special in .44 Mag, but not the other way around.
In dies, get the SHORTER ones every time and you can load the longer rounds!
So in this case, definitely purchase the .38 Special dies and you can use them to load .38, .357 Mag (and even .357 Max)
As for crimp, most all revolver caliber dies can add a roll crimp with the bullet seating die. Lee sets do this perfectly well... but Lee also sells a separate "factory crimp die" that most folks simply don't need. (Some like the extra die)
I think you'll be totally set to go by simply choosing the Lee 3-die set in .38 Special.
In dies, get the SHORTER ones every time and you can load the longer rounds!
So in this case, definitely purchase the .38 Special dies and you can use them to load .38, .357 Mag (and even .357 Max)
As for crimp, most all revolver caliber dies can add a roll crimp with the bullet seating die. Lee sets do this perfectly well... but Lee also sells a separate "factory crimp die" that most folks simply don't need. (Some like the extra die)
I think you'll be totally set to go by simply choosing the Lee 3-die set in .38 Special.
Just get yourselves one of these and you won't have to adjust the die when switching from .38 to .357 mag:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/31...ht-38-special-357-magnum?cm_vc=ProductFinding
Personally, I'd spend the extra $10 and get the 4 die Lee set.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/31...ht-38-special-357-magnum?cm_vc=ProductFinding
Personally, I'd spend the extra $10 and get the 4 die Lee set.
bedbugbilly
New member
Wendy - I use the Lee 4 die set for loading both 38s and 357s. I like the FCD - spa dp and some don't. All I shoot is cast. On 38s and 357s - I seat and crimp in two different operations. I just prefer it. on the 38s/357 you'll want to use a roll crimp unless your bullet design is not made for that.
If you are not familiar with the Castboolit site - Google it and check it out. Lot's of good information on cast bullet reloading, etc.
One thing that I use and which sits right on my bench is a "cartridge gauge" for the caliber I'm loading. When the loaded bullet comes off the press (I use a Lee 4 hole classic court), I check them to make sure they are within spec. You could do the same thing by using the cylinder of the piston you re going to load them in but the gauge is much easier and quicker. I have a number of different molds - WC, SWC, RN, etc. and different bullet weights. I like to load my 38s/357 "as cast" if possible - saves having to size them. Most of my molds drop right around .358 - .359. I have about a dozen different 38s & 357s and while in spec, the chamber size can and do vary. If I'm using a cast bullet that is a tad on the large size (say .359 or so) - it can sometimes make the loaded cartridge a bit tight in the neck to slide in the cylinder. The Lee FCD has a carbide ring with will "size" the cartridge back to within specs.
The seating die can be back out a little and the seating stem adjusted to seat the bullet at the right depth. The FCD can be adjusted to put the roll crimp on the casing - as the casing with seated bullet is raised up into the die, the carbide ring will "size" the diameter to spec. Some folks complain that they get some "swaging" of the bullet in the FCD. I've never had that problem. I tumble lube my cast bullets - put in a tupperware bowl, heat with a hair dryer, put a dab of paste wax in and melt, swirl bullets to coat and then add a dab ov Alox and swirl - set on wax paper to dry - then load. I've never had a leading problem out of any of my revolvers.
Good luck and enjoy. I'll bet hubby was tickled pink!
If you are not familiar with the Castboolit site - Google it and check it out. Lot's of good information on cast bullet reloading, etc.
One thing that I use and which sits right on my bench is a "cartridge gauge" for the caliber I'm loading. When the loaded bullet comes off the press (I use a Lee 4 hole classic court), I check them to make sure they are within spec. You could do the same thing by using the cylinder of the piston you re going to load them in but the gauge is much easier and quicker. I have a number of different molds - WC, SWC, RN, etc. and different bullet weights. I like to load my 38s/357 "as cast" if possible - saves having to size them. Most of my molds drop right around .358 - .359. I have about a dozen different 38s & 357s and while in spec, the chamber size can and do vary. If I'm using a cast bullet that is a tad on the large size (say .359 or so) - it can sometimes make the loaded cartridge a bit tight in the neck to slide in the cylinder. The Lee FCD has a carbide ring with will "size" the cartridge back to within specs.
The seating die can be back out a little and the seating stem adjusted to seat the bullet at the right depth. The FCD can be adjusted to put the roll crimp on the casing - as the casing with seated bullet is raised up into the die, the carbide ring will "size" the diameter to spec. Some folks complain that they get some "swaging" of the bullet in the FCD. I've never had that problem. I tumble lube my cast bullets - put in a tupperware bowl, heat with a hair dryer, put a dab of paste wax in and melt, swirl bullets to coat and then add a dab ov Alox and swirl - set on wax paper to dry - then load. I've never had a leading problem out of any of my revolvers.
Good luck and enjoy. I'll bet hubby was tickled pink!