Reloading dies for 38 Short Colt

[GlockCanMan]

Who makes the better carbide reloading dies for the .38 Short Colt? Are you finding it better to apply a taper crimp or roll crimp?

[westczek]

Lee makes 38 Short Colt sets, so does RCBS I believe, but I think most folks are using a mix of 38 Special and 9 mm Lugar dies.

I use 38 Special decapper and sizer, and 9 mm belling, seating and taper crimp dies. I'm using moly-coated 158 grn 358 cal bullets, so I can only use a taper crimp. A roll crimp would cut thhe moly coating. Taper crimps don't wear out the case mouth as fast either.

Westczek

[Boats]

Lee's 38 spl die to size the case. Which seater depends on your bullet. If using jacketed and want a taper crimp 9mm's are the way to go, If cast and need a roll crimp into a grove 38 Colt is the proper die.

Boats

[GMM50]

Hi:

I've been using a taper crimp on everything I reload. Both jacketed lead and copper plated.

45, 38 Super, 40 S&W, 9 MM, 38 Special and 357.

The taper crimp I feel is easier to reload using speed loaders or moon clips.

It doesn't have the big roll that you mist get buy.

My 2 cents.

Goerge

Edited October 3, 2010 by GMM50

[John Z Sr]

I want to thank you for this post, I've been cutting .41 Mag brass down real short to use in my milled for moonclip S&W 57, and could not get a crimp after a certain lenght. After reading this post, I had the idea to use .41 Action Express crimp die as it would be same diameter, but much shorter. Thanks for such a great forum and all the info it contains.

[sensei]

My set-up for .38Short-Colt, (in Dillon XL650), is:

- Resizer: RCBS 38/357

- Powder funnel: 9 mm.(Dillon)

- Seater: RCBS 9mm. or 38/357 it's the same

- Taper Crimp: RCBS 9mm. (sometimes Dillon .38super)

- Factory Crimp die Lee: 9 mm.

work fine for me !

[JamesLovesJammie]

I have Lee's .38 Short Colt die set. It is a combination of a 38 Super die set and a 38 Special/.357 mag set.

Resizer/Decapper is marked .38/.357 F8

Powder through Expander is unmarked

Seating/Crimping is markred .38 Auto E8

It is a taper crimp seating die.

The brass I used was R-P .38 Special cut to Short Colt Length and loaded with 9mm data. The bullets (125 grain Lead at minor PF) didn't move in the case upon firing and I don't think a roll crimp is necessary in this application.