Combined/dedicated caliber die sets

[shamrock12]

Browsing through the Redding catalog especially for 10mm and 357 mag dies, I noticed they have different sets with some being for dedicated calibers (38spl … 357mag … 40s&w … 10mm) while some others being combined for those same calibers (38spl/357mag … 40s&w/10mm). There are different individual die part numbers for expanding, seating and crimping for each set.

What exactly are the differences between those dies?

 

[kenhwind]

Browsing through the Redding catalog especially for 10mm and 357 mag dies, I noticed they have different sets with some being for dedicated calibers (38spl … 357mag … 40s&w … 10mm) while some others being combined for those same calibers (38spl/357mag … 40s&w/10mm). There are different individual die part numbers for expanding, seating and crimping for each set.

What exactly are the differences between those dies?

The sizing dies are the same, so basically the seating dies and crimp dies are either a compromise or will only work for the dedicated cartridge.

I have two setups for the 10mm and 40 S & W. I had acquired a 10/40 Pro Series Bullet Seating die and then a 10mm Taper crimp die. The crimp position on the taper crimp is probably too high to use on a 40 case.

I also bought the Redding Pro Series 40 S & W Die Set. Pro Series dies do not crimp with the seating die, so I'm not sure what the difference is there but the crimp dies are not the same.

The dedicated 357 dies are probably too long to seat and crimp the .38 Special.

 

[charlie b]

Quite a few straight wall sizing dies can be used for multiple cartridges since they are just differences in the length of the case. .38/.357, .41spl/.41mag, etc. Sometimes a common seat/crimp die is also used with the user setting up the die differently for the different cartridge lengths.

I can't make it out exactly but it looks like one of those sets has carbide size dies. Not sure if the others do or if they have the std steel dies. Another one says they are made for progressive presses. Not sure what that means either.

I was never particular about my pistol dies so I always just bought the Lee 4 die sets. Carbide size die and separate crimp die. They had pour through expander dies so you could charge the case and expand neck at one station on a progressive (maybe that's what Redding is doing?).

Good luck in your search.

 

[kenhwind]

The Redding Pro-Series Die Sets are designed to use in a progressive press, and imo the Dillon 550.
Because the Dillon presses use a proprietary powder funnel. neck expander die for these dies do not come with a neck expander/flaring die. The bullet seating die does not crimp the case because Dillon recommends that the bullet seating and crimping be done as a separate operation.

The 357 Magnum can probably be loaded with the .38 Special dies, the 10mm with 40 dies.

 

[DHD]

I like all the answers above. 357 specific dies taught me my first lesson reloading way back in 1986. It was my first reloading experience, and it was for a S&W 686 (it has never stopped since then). The LEE set would not seat to depth or crimp a 38 Special. Who knew....

I treat my revolvers similar to my rifles in that I still load on a single stage press for them, and mix and match my dies as necessary. I have LEE expander bodies with custom NOE expanders, and absolutely love the LEE FCD. That FCD is one of the rare things in life that is probably the least expensive, but is better than all the rest (in my opinion). As far as sizers and seaters go, I use more Hornady than anything else. I like the sleeve in their seaters for revolver cartridges.

For pistols it is easier as all my pistol loading gets done on caliber specific Dillon Square Deals.

 

[kenhwind]

I have two Dillon 550 presses, as well as a Redding T-7.
I miss my Lyman Spat-T which I sold when I got this big idea I needed a new press.

Anyway, yes, the 38 Special dies and 40 dies will probably work for the 357 and 10 mm but the 357 and 10mm dies will probably not seat or crimp the shorter cases.

I had set my Dillon presses up with Dillon dies, had I have known better I would have used the Redding Pro-Series because the Dillon dies are inconvenient to adjust. especially the seating die.

While I am not necessarily a LEE fan the price of their dies makes experimenting affordable or a die for a specific task. I am using the LEE undersized 10/40 Sizing Die for the 40 S&W because neither the Dillon nor Redding die would resize the 40 brass completely, marginally.

 

[358WCF]

My 1980s era RCBS 38-357 dies came with a .130" shim to use between the dies & the press when switching between the 2 cartridges. Haven't owned a 38-357 this century, so dont remember if it was actually needed with these dies or if it was just a convenience of some sort.