38 short colt reloading

[Springer]

I have search this topic and gained a lot of knowledge but also some questions have arisen.

Correct me if mistaken but I will need a 38 special sizing die, 9mm powder and seating/taper crimp die. Brand recommendation for single stage press.

Here is where I am confused, what size bullets are used. I have seen anywhere between .355-.357 mentioned. I plan to use Berry's or Montana Gold bullets.

Please let me know as my 627 should be done next week and I need to order what's needed asap.

[AzShooter]

For jacketed bullets use .357. If you are shooting lead go to .358. RCBS for the single stage.

[waterboy]

^^^ what he said. If you are gonna use Montana Gold bullets, I'd recommend trying the 142 gr. fmj. They drop into the cylinder nicely which makes for a faster reload. If you want to try some coated lead bullets, I'd go with the SNS Casting 160 gr. RN. They also drop in easily.

[Springer]

I saw that Lee makes 8 short/long colt dies, anyone tried these or would you recommend them.

[revoman]

On a single stage they would work perfect and they would also put on a roll crimp

[revoman]

I use them in my 650 but on a 650 you have to put the locking nuts on the bottom side of the tool head.

[Springer]

I was thing Lee 38 short/long colt dies with 9mm taper die. Am I over thinking this?

[revoman]

Yes, just use the crimp die in the Lee set. Most will go to the 9mm crimp die because all they have is 38/357 dies and the crimp die will not adjust down far enough for the 38 short colt.

[peterthefish]

I have the Lee 38 Short Colt die set. It is a 38 special sizing die and a 9mm/38 super crimp die.m (i.e. Taper not Roll crimp)

Edited November 16, 2015 by peterthefish

[revoman]

My set came with a 38 S&W crimp die with a roll crimp. I use the Lee FCD in 38/357 with a spacer to hold the roll crimp down in the die.

[revoman]

Either works just fine, I just prefer the roll crimp.

[peterthefish]

Fair enough. Never had a need to roll for minor rounds and use mostly blue bullets so no cannelure to crimp into. pNow I'm gonna have to go check the crimp die that came w it though..!

Edited November 16, 2015 by peterthefish

[Ty Hamby]

For Short Colts on a 650xl I use

Purple case adapter

1 Lee 38 special U die

2 F funnel (9mm/38Super)

3 Beep-Beep Powder Alarm

4 Lee Seat Die backed out enough to not crimp

5 Lee 38special FCD with 9mm FCD taper insert. This allows the taper crimp with the base of the case sized.

There are many working options available. My only advice is, if you use a FCD learn how it works and what it does. Do not abuse the FCD. The FCD will swage the bullet diameter. It is a plus for base sizing. #RespectTheFCD

[pete627]

My set came with a 38 S&W crimp die with a roll crimp. I use the Lee FCD in 38/357 with a spacer to hold the roll crimp down in the die.

That's what I did ... I use the regular Lee short/long 3 die set and added a 38/357 FCD ... just adding a spacer on top of the crimping sleeve so it would reach.

If you buy a 38/357 FCD you can also pickup just the 9mm crimping sleeve for $3 and use that as the spacer on top of the 38/357 sleeve ... or vice/versa ... to experiment and see what you prefer (saves buying another whole FCD just to get the sleeve out of it).

http://leeprecision.com/crimp-sleeve-9mm.html (available other places too ... just an example).