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38 spl reloading
Pistollero1050
Member Posts: 1,197 ✭✭✭✭✭
Hi guy's, I just got a 38 spl. My question is, I have 357 mag dies and brass, can I use the 357 dies and trim the brass to 38 spl length to reload for the 38 spl? I don't have a 357 and the shells would stay in my personal stock.
Comments
I see no reason it would be unsafe.
Hi guy's, I just got a 38 spl. My question is, I have 357 mag dies and brass, can I use the 357 dies and trim the brass to 38 spl length to reload for the 38 spl? I don't have a 357 and the shells would stay in my personal stock.
How much 357 brass ya got? I got lots of 38 special brass I don't need. Maybe we could work out a trade.
Sorry to say, but the .357 crimp die won't work with the shorter .38 spl. case. You could grind or file the die to the shorter length. Now if the box of dies say 38/357 you are in business. You can load the longer cases with the shorter die but not the opposite. In the old days I made a spacer to put in place when loading the 357 with 38 dies. This way I didn't have to readjust each time I changed calibers. I did the same with 44spl/44mag. Eddie
mine does
quote:Originally posted by elubsme
Sorry to say, but the .357 crimp die won't work with the shorter .38 spl. case. You could grind or file the die to the shorter length. Now if the box of dies say 38/357 you are in business. You can load the longer cases with the shorter die but not the opposite. In the old days I made a spacer to put in place when loading the 357 with 38 dies. This way I didn't have to readjust each time I changed calibers. I did the same with 44spl/44mag. Eddie
mine does
Then you must have the dies for the shorter case. It is physically impossible to crimp a 1.155" (.38 spl.) case in a crimping die set up for a 1.290" (357) case. The case is too short to reach the beveled crimp in the die. Please check your die box to see if it says 38/357. If it does, I agree with you. I do have an RCBS set of dies marked .357 with a manufacture date of 1974 that will not crimp a .38 Special. A .38 special will not crimp a .38 Long Colt. A .38 Long Colt will not crimp a .38 Short Colt. But a .38 Short Colt will crimp all four cases if adjusted (unscrewed) to accommodate the longer case. I am not questioning resizing or belling of the case as the stud can be adjusted, but the crimp can not be lowered to accommodate the shorter cases. Anxiously awaiting your reply and in put from other avid reloaders. Eddie
Unless your dies are more than 20 years old, they'll load both. That's also true for .44 spec/mag and even 45 Colt/Casull, BTW. Some but not all 41 Mag dies will load the semi-wildcat 41 Special.
My dies are the old RCBS. The box has the white lettering on it. The p/n is 18206 labeled .357 mag swc. Probbly at least 20 yrs old cause I got them from my old man. I have about 67 rounds of .357 brass so a trade might not be economical. But email me if still interested.
E-mail me your address and these are yours (I couldn't figure out how to add a pic to a Gunbroker e-mail). Don't worry about sending the 357's, I've got plenty. Shipping is on me too. Us "Junior Members" gotta stick together.[:)]
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quote:Originally posted by Pistollero1050
Hi guy's, I just got a 38 spl. My question is, I have 357 mag dies and brass, can I use the 357 dies and trim the brass to 38 spl length to reload for the 38 spl? I don't have a 357 and the shells would stay in my personal stock.
How much 357 brass ya got? I got lots of 38 special brass I don't need. Maybe we could work out a trade.
As do I. Inm fact, even if you don't need the .38's I still would be interested in buying the .357 brass. Shoot me a PM if you're interested.
GH1[:)]
All of my RCBS dies are marked on the top with a 2 digit number indicating the year of manufacture.
[:D]