Lee 3 or 4 die set for .357 magnum

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1sailor

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I have been using a lee 4 die set to load 9mm for some time. I can understand wanting to use a taper rather than crimping the case. I plan to start loading .357 now and wonder if the 4 die set would have any advantage over the 3 die set since the magnum uses a crimp.
 
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When I bought my first few dies, I bought nothing but the 4 die sets. Now that I've been loading for a while, I don't bother buying the 4 die sets, as I never use the FCD. Seems like the FCD exists to fix any mistakes you might make while reloading, and definitely isn't wise when loading lead or plated since it may resize your bullets. I find that the standard seating/crimp die does a great job for me, no need for the FCD.
 
One thing to consider. It is cheaper to buy the 4 die set, than to buy the 3 die set and later add the CFCD.

I use the CFCD in a different manner. I use it for the full length sizing of my revolver brass. Then I just size the upper portion with the normal carbide die for neck tension.
 
When I started reloading I only bought the 3 die sets, now I've replaced all of them with Lee 4 die sets. I like the adjustablity you get with it, especially die #3 & #4. If you load any lead bullets it's best to do it as a 4 step process. You can do a 4 step with a 3 die set, but it more hassle, especially if you make frequent changes to your final settings. The FCD sizing feature usually doesn't come into play except occasionally with lead bullets. It's a nice feature but not the main reason I buy the set.
 
My advice would be get a RCBS 3-die set.

But, either way, note that roll crimping isn't always needed for the .357 mag. You only need that for hot loads where "bullet jump" is possible. For lighter loads no roll crimp is needed. Just remove flare as with the 9mm.
 
Get the 4 die set. May not need the FCD all the time but will need it for heavy hot magnum loads. I still using it for lighter target loads but back off on the crimping.
 
I've always used 3-die sets and have never needed a FCD. You just have to take the time to set up the seat/crimp die properly. It's not difficult. It will correctly seat/both cast and jacketed bullets in revolver and semi-auto rounds.
 
So, it seems to be exactly evenly split between 3 die and 4 die recommendations. I will guess here that members have had equal luck with both.
 
I like the option of using die 3 to seat the bullet and die 4 to crimp, just makes it easier.
 
If you're using a progressive press, it makes no difference between 3 or four dies after the initial extra stoke. If using a single stage press (and I do), a 4-die set increases the number of strokes by 33%--not what one wants in an already slower, more manual process. Either way, a seat/crimp die just needs to be correctly to produce as good a crimp as any 4-die set.
 
BLUEDOT37 said:
When I started reloading I only bought the 3 die sets, now I've replaced all of them with Lee 4 die sets. I like the adjustablity you get with it, especially die #3 & #4. If you load any lead bullets it's best to do it as a 4 step process. You can do a 4 step with a 3 die set, but it more hassle, especially if you make frequent changes to your final settings. The FCD sizing feature usually doesn't come into play except occasionally with lead bullets. It's a nice feature but not the main reason I buy the set.
Click to expand...
+1 to this.
 
FWIW; learn to correctly adjust your dies and forget an FCD. If you gotta have a 4th die, get a Redding Profile die. As a revolver round, your 357 Magnum should be roll crimped and all the Lee dies I've purchased, have the correct style crimp incorporated in their "seat/crimp" die (9mm dies had taper crimp, .38/357 dies had roll crimp). Simplest method to avoid problems; load cases normall up to bullet seating. Seat all bullets, but do not crimp. Re-adjust the die and crimp all cases. In other words; separate seating and crimping into two separate operations.
 
The one single reason I use the 4 die set and the Factory Crimp Die is that I load lots of cast lead bullets and some of those won't chamber (easily) in my cylinders unless I run them through the factory crimp die, which "re-sizes" the case and bullet by squeezing it a bit from the outside. And no, I haven't noticed any differences in accuracy....
 
I get 3 die sets (Hornady) and buy an extra seat/crimp die - so that makes 4 - one to seat that stays locked down and one to crimp - also stays locked down - I try to develop loads for a certain bullet - then mass produce some while the dies are set - before I go on to a different bullet
 
1sailor said:
So, it seems to be exactly evenly split between 3 die and 4 die recommendations. I will guess here that members have had equal luck with both.
Click to expand...

Brother luck has noting to do with a good quality reload.

I use both 3 and 4 dies sets. I recently stopped using a seperate crimp die on my 45.
I do use a crimp die on revolver cases as I might be running them in a lever gun too. I think a good roll crimp is needed on ever wheel gun cartridge or lever gun cartridge.
 
BLUEDOT37 said:
When I started reloading I only bought the 3 die sets, now I've replaced all of them with Lee 4 die sets. I like the adjustablity you get with it, especially die #3 & #4. If you load any lead bullets it's best to do it as a 4 step process. You can do a 4 step with a 3 die set, but it more hassle, especially if you make frequent changes to your final settings. The FCD sizing feature usually doesn't come into play except occasionally with lead bullets. It's a nice feature but not the main reason I buy the set.
Click to expand...

One point I forgot to mention, having a separate crimp die allows you to quickly adjust the crimp force needed when you have (the inevitable) slightly different length cases that you're loading. Shorter cases can quickly be tweeked (because they got less of a crimp) & then reset the die to the nomial setting when you have a separate crimp die. With a 3 die set's combo die, it's a lot more difficult.
 
BLUEDOT37 said:
One point I forgot to mention, having a separate crimp die allows you to quickly adjust the crimp force needed when you have (the inevitable) slightly different length cases that you're loading. Shorter cases can quickly be tweeked (because they got less of a crimp) & then reset the die to the nomial setting when you have a separate crimp die. With a 3 die set's combo die, it's a lot more difficult.
Click to expand...

case trimming is a better fix for that - takes under 5 minutes to trim 50 cases on Hornady case trimmer, and a couple more to debur - alot less difficult than adjusting dies - and provides a more precise load
 
Triggernosis said:
The one single reason I use the 4 die set and the Factory Crimp Die is that I load lots of cast lead bullets and some of those won't chamber (easily) in my cylinders unless I run them through the factory crimp die, which "re-sizes" the case and bullet by squeezing it a bit from the outside. And no, I haven't noticed any differences in accuracy....
Click to expand...

To me this always seemed the best reason to use the 4 die set. I use it on my 45 acp. There are always a few bullets that are end up just a bit cattywampus. The die straightens them out a bit and they all seem to chamber. These lead cast reloads average under 1.5" at 20 yards from sandbags in my DW. So I'm more than okay with the accuracy.:D
 
I like the peace of mind I get with the full length resize that the FCD gives me. Since going to the 4 die set ( for everything) , I never have a failure to feed in revolvers or semi's.

Also FWIW, since I run a four hole turret press, It's either use the fourth die or pull trough that empty position anyway.
 
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