Hello there and thanks in advance... I am new to reloading and I am buying the Lee Turret press kit and 4die Lee carbide set. I will be using Unique powder; I have two questions:
Will the Lee standard .38 die seat wad cutters flush or do you need a special die for wad cutters?
Next, What do you recommend as a light load for both 125 grain cast lrn and 158 grain cast lscw using Unique ? (I didn't buy any wad cutters yet as I'm not sure of the die)
I am loving this sight and learning much, much thanks again... 1magi

Hello there and thanks in advance... I am new to reloading and I am buying the Lee Turret press kit and 4die Lee carbide set. I will be using Unique powder; I have two questions:
Will the Lee standard .38 die seat wad cutters flush or do you need a special die for wad cutters?
Next, What do you recommend as a light load for both 125 grain cast lrn and 158 grain cast lscw using Unique ? (I didn't buy any wad cutters yet as I'm not sure of the die)
I am loving this sight and learning much, much thanks again... 1magi

The Lee dies will seat wad cutters fine, you just need to adjust the seating stem to the right length.

4.0 of Unique would be a good place to start with your 158 gr swc.

O.K, thanks Steve and Max. I'll pick up some wad cutters now too. 1magi

Those same dies will also reload .357 Magnum rounds. Of course you will need to make the proper adjustments so as not to crush the slightly longer Magnum case.

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SWCA #3437

Bought a new Colt 357 in 1960. Started loading 38 spl for it (cost) right away (started reloading in 1952 for other calibers). Found 5.0 gr Unique is a great load with 158 gr lead bullet. This was because 1951 American rifleman reloading book suggested 5.2 grains (Now considered a little hot) But never tried it in a "real" 38 special. Recently bought a S&W 38 "Masterpiece" made in 1949 (year I started high school). What a dream to shoot, trigger almost equal to my Colt. But, it is not +P rated so am a little unsure of using in a non +P rated gun. Same gun made in 1957 or later IS rated +P. Found that for lighter loads and lighter bullets that 3 gr Bullseye was a better load. Cleaner and easier to "measure" in a Redding measure. Have been having trouble finding Bullseye so have tried 2.7 gr 231 and is good light load to replace bullseye. My experience, not a recommendation.

For all the flat nosed bullets (WC, SWC, WFN, etc) I use a completely flat seating stem.
Some makers will provide these.
RCBS gives you one with a little ridge around the edge and tells you to machine it off. :|
I believe these will guide the bullet in more parallel than the "cup" style.

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Nemo

What you have should work for both as the noses of the SWC and the WC If you have a nose configuration that is delicate (like a Gold Dot) and gets messed up by the seating punch that you have, They have other configurations. Rifle bullets are especially susceptible to this.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Guys, this thread is FIVE AND A HALF YEARS OLD!
Why in the world would you want to post load data in a thread where the OP was a new reloader then but now has 5.5 years under his belt or quit reloading already??

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437