38s&w sizing die

[enfield38]

Hi all, im new to this forum and would like to start off by asking this question, i have a re sizing die from RGB which is marked "38 auto", i would like to know if i can use this to successfully size and de-prime 38s&w cases for my enfield revolver, i did try a few cases through this die and they seemed to work ok but would like the opinion of someone with a little more knowledge on this subject, thanks, Damien

[Calaveras Slim]

Something to think about. The 38 S&W has a .360 dia. bullet. So if you use the 357 dia bullet in the 38 auto brass, they will be undersized for your gun by several thousanths. I would strongly advise to spend the money for a RCBS or Lyman 38 S&W dies, using 38S&W brass and go from there.

This doesn't address the case diameter in the cylinder.

There are several casting companies that cast the .360 bullet for the 38 S&W.

Good luck

[Jellybean]

It should work, looking at the case dimensions.

It will make the brass a little undersized, but they will fireform to the chambers when fired.

You might have a problem with crimping if you are using the .38 auto dies to seat/crimp too.

[walnutred]

They should work, remember that the 38 Auto is longer than the 38 S&W, so the mouth of the 38 S&W case will not be sized down as far as a 38 Auto case would. With a little die adjustment you could probably get a nice taper crimp using those dies.

Until I found a used set of RCBS 38 S&W dies I used first 9x19 dies (1980's) then 9x18 dies to load 38 S&W. This probably sounds reckless unless you grew up reading Home Guide to Cartridge Conversions like I did. ;D It's always better to use the correct dies, but remember the Lee dies are marked for 38 Super and 38 S&W. Unless they changed recently.

[TomcatPC]

Hello

I just checked my set of Lee .38" S&W Dies and the sizing die is marked ".38 Auto". The .38" S&W Dies were not that expensive really, I think I paid around $23 (U.S.) for them at a local Cabela's a couple years back.
Thanks
Mark

[2152hq]

38 Auto/Super sizer works fine for 38S&W.
38Super brass is thicker walled than than most other calibers using the same bullets in than diameter range. The difference is obviously moved to the outside dimention of the casing. They are straight walled as is the 38S&W and both at or around .385/.386 outside diameter IIRC.

38Spec is smaller at ,,,,.380"

I have a set of the LEE dies also and they work fine. Inexpensive too in that they come with a shell holder and that size isn't a common one I don't think.

I skip the expander step when using 38spec bullets as they will slip right into the cases with no friction no hold them. I size only in the 38S&W die and then bell the mouths slightly with a tapered tool (lathe center) lightly tapped into the case mouth to allow the bullet to seat w/o shaving lead. Seat & crimp with the 38S&W die.

[enfield38]

thanks to all who have replied, i now understand it a lot better, one of the reasons for my priginal post is because i bought a set of lee RGB dies in the three die set marked on the container for 38S&W but when i checked the re sizing die it is marked 38 auto and the other two dies are marked for 38S&W but sounds as though they may all be marked this way?

[TomcatPC]

Hello

That is the way all the dies in my Lee .38" S&W set is marked.
Mark

[enfield38]

thanks Mark, looks as though they might all be marked like this, Damien

[bamacisa]

Lee did not make a mistake. The 38 auto sizing die works fine for 38 S&W. I have reloaded many 38 S&W cases using Lee Dies marked 38 AUTO on the sizing die. It works fine...no problems. ( I wondered the same thing)