4barrel
Member
That is what I am talking about.
Bare Necessities for .38 Special
- Thread starter JayFramer
- Start date
That is what I am talking about.
Jay,
This question always generates lots of different answers. And all of them are correct. FOR THE PERSON WRITING THE ANSWER.
Find a local reloader. Even the guy pumping out hundreds of round each run has a single stage press. Maybe a turrent press. Watch him. Ask questions. Get some hands on instruction. Figure out what YOU like. Then make your purchases.
Maybe someone on the forum is close by. We are generally a good lot.
This question always generates lots of different answers. And all of them are correct. FOR THE PERSON WRITING THE ANSWER.
Find a local reloader. Even the guy pumping out hundreds of round each run has a single stage press. Maybe a turrent press. Watch him. Ask questions. Get some hands on instruction. Figure out what YOU like. Then make your purchases.
Maybe someone on the forum is close by. We are generally a good lot.
How many rounds do you plan to shoot each month? The cost of components averages $16.00 per 100 rounds of ammo produced, provided you have the brass already. If your budget is $50.00 per month, that equates to around 300 rds per month. Do you have the time to shoot 300 rds with your revolvers every month?
I would say purchase the press that meets your shooting budget. Most non competitive shooters don't continue shooting the amount they did when they were younger.
I would say purchase the press that meets your shooting budget. Most non competitive shooters don't continue shooting the amount they did when they were younger.
You don't have to have a caliper....yet
You can reload .38 wadcutter target loads without a caliper. Seat the bullet anywhere from the crimp groove to flush with the top of the case. Many .38 bullets have some form of crimping groove and if not just make sure its not seated on the ogive (curved) part of the bullet. .38 is so forgiving you can use a ruler to check length. If it won't fit in your chamber, it's too long. If it looks about right, it's probably ok.
NOW, when you get to semi auto cartridges you definitely need a caliper because they are very sensitive to bullet depth.
The reason for all this is that the .38 was originally designed to hold black powder and there is such a big volume for powder bullet depth doesn't make a lot of difference.
PS: I hope the OP is getting all this. Lots of good info here.
You can reload .38 wadcutter target loads without a caliper. Seat the bullet anywhere from the crimp groove to flush with the top of the case. Many .38 bullets have some form of crimping groove and if not just make sure its not seated on the ogive (curved) part of the bullet. .38 is so forgiving you can use a ruler to check length. If it won't fit in your chamber, it's too long. If it looks about right, it's probably ok.
NOW, when you get to semi auto cartridges you definitely need a caliper because they are very sensitive to bullet depth.
The reason for all this is that the .38 was originally designed to hold black powder and there is such a big volume for powder bullet depth doesn't make a lot of difference.
PS: I hope the OP is getting all this. Lots of good info here.
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Another vote for the Lee Hand Press and a set of dies with a dipper.
I highly recommend the hand press over the Lee Loader for one reason.
No one here has yet told you that you need one more tool in order to use it.
A HAMMER. 'Nuff sed.
In case of an EMP bomb, a zombie apocalypse, a SHTF scenario, or we get thrown to the wolves, the hand press is very, very portable. And .38 cases can be safely used dozens of time over.
Breech Lock Hand Press Kit $50.
Lee three piece Die set in .38 spl - $30.
Lee Precision Modern Loading Book - $20.
Forget the scales, forget the calipers, just stick with the recommended powder selection and use the dipper properly and you can SAFELY use this setup. In my admittedly non-expert opinion, this is the most inexpensive SAFE alternative to getting into a bench press.
This will allow you to find out whether reloading is for you or not.
And for the purposes of "how cheaply can I do this", you don't need to tumble .38 cases. They shoot just fine dirty. Or, there are rumors of folks cleaning them in the dishwasher, i a lingerie bag, when the boss is out of the house.
I highly recommend the hand press over the Lee Loader for one reason.
No one here has yet told you that you need one more tool in order to use it.
A HAMMER. 'Nuff sed.
In case of an EMP bomb, a zombie apocalypse, a SHTF scenario, or we get thrown to the wolves, the hand press is very, very portable. And .38 cases can be safely used dozens of time over.
Breech Lock Hand Press Kit $50.
Lee three piece Die set in .38 spl - $30.
Lee Precision Modern Loading Book - $20.
Forget the scales, forget the calipers, just stick with the recommended powder selection and use the dipper properly and you can SAFELY use this setup. In my admittedly non-expert opinion, this is the most inexpensive SAFE alternative to getting into a bench press.
This will allow you to find out whether reloading is for you or not.
And for the purposes of "how cheaply can I do this", you don't need to tumble .38 cases. They shoot just fine dirty. Or, there are rumors of folks cleaning them in the dishwasher, i a lingerie bag, when the boss is out of the house.
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This can vary greatly and depends on where you live, if you are sales-savvy and whether you care to buy in bulk. I can state that even at today's prices, my .38's cost no more than $12/100.
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I wish I could buy in bulk...
I can only afford to buy batches of components. It takes longer but I'm still stocked up. Ok, so my ammo cost $15/100. Not only that, it's only a matter of a few pennies/round to switch from a .38 target load to a fireball .357 round and anything in between. Whatever I want, I make.
This can vary greatly and depends on where you live, if you are sales-savvy and whether you care to buy in bulk. I can state that even at today's prices, my .38's cost no more than $12/100.
I can only afford to buy batches of components. It takes longer but I'm still stocked up. Ok, so my ammo cost $15/100. Not only that, it's only a matter of a few pennies/round to switch from a .38 target load to a fireball .357 round and anything in between. Whatever I want, I make.
N Frame 28
Member
Perfect, buddy up
Perfect response. You might not like reloading. If you don't going with the Lee would not be that much invested. I just started a buddy's son going with the Lee kit. I would like to throw in a case gauge. Quick and simple to test the round. Balance beam scale with test weights. My RCBS still works, bought it in 1974, my wife bought the Dillon for me about 17 years ago, you can not beat their service. Above all, no phone, TV, beer, smokes or distractions while loading. Load as if your life depends on it, it does.
Perfect response. You might not like reloading. If you don't going with the Lee would not be that much invested. I just started a buddy's son going with the Lee kit. I would like to throw in a case gauge. Quick and simple to test the round. Balance beam scale with test weights. My RCBS still works, bought it in 1974, my wife bought the Dillon for me about 17 years ago, you can not beat their service. Above all, no phone, TV, beer, smokes or distractions while loading. Load as if your life depends on it, it does.
nicky4968
Member
To all the above good advice I would add 1, a Lyman M die and, 2, a bullet puller.
ageingstudent
Member
This...emphasis on the piles of cash when you get hooked.
In all seriousness the manuals are a really important starting point. I have had sharp tools and flammable propellants in my shop all my life..still have all my fingers and my eyes are still in my head. All these things came with manuals and instructions. The manuals are really the only non negotiable item you gotta have to make a start IMOP.
Equipment should come after reading up on the process. You will be able to design a system that fits your needs better if you are informed first.
Don't take the Visa card with you to the LGS. Just sayin'.
venomballistics
Member
Excellent contribution.
This is what we try to tell them but drop the message after it becomes a Dillion ad campaign
David LaPell
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I have both a Lee Hand press and a Lyman 310 reloading tool. I like the 310 simply because its smaller and it takes up little space, but the only thing is that the resizing dies for the 310 are not the same size that would fit in the hand press. Also, they do not fully resize the case so if you get any range brass or once fired brass it might not work as well. The hand press is nice because you can use any brass you want as long as you use a resizing die that fully resizes the case. For one caliber like the .38 Special you can get in pretty cheap and start shooting for little money compared to others. I would get a good reloading manual, Lyman's most current is always my favorite, a good set of Lee dies will do fine and a Hand press. I would buy a good scale, and the few little goodies and you are off to the races. The best part of the Lee Hand press and Lyman 310 is that if you want to reload on the run somewhere, like at the range or if you are bored some night in camp, you can bring that along and load up a box here or there.
This is what I pretty much do all my reloading on now since its almost all for .38 Special and .357 Magnum, a Lyman 310. Again though, get a manual and read through it. Just remember, if you get a Lyman manual they'll recommend their stuff, Lee's manual their stuff etc. I found this 310 tool on Ebay used with the dies for under $50 but they're finicky for a beginner. The Lee Hand loader not so much. On the plus side this tool, the dies and everything I need to reload minus the power and scale fits in a AK-47 mag pouch. That includes a couple hundred primers, deburring tool, primer pocket cleaner and even some case lube.
This is what I pretty much do all my reloading on now since its almost all for .38 Special and .357 Magnum, a Lyman 310. Again though, get a manual and read through it. Just remember, if you get a Lyman manual they'll recommend their stuff, Lee's manual their stuff etc. I found this 310 tool on Ebay used with the dies for under $50 but they're finicky for a beginner. The Lee Hand loader not so much. On the plus side this tool, the dies and everything I need to reload minus the power and scale fits in a AK-47 mag pouch. That includes a couple hundred primers, deburring tool, primer pocket cleaner and even some case lube.
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Agree. Replacing my Lee expander die with a Lyman M was one of the smartest things I have done in reloading.
While there is some risk in buying used reloading equipment, you can buy lots of stuff on E-Bay or even Craigs list. Reloading gear also appears at some garage sales. If you know what you are looking for you can save money with this approach.
Steve
Steve
venomballistics
Member
tell me about it.
the LEE expanders can be hit or miss.
I retired my 45ACP die after 30 rounds of frustration and went back to my RCBS at that station.
The Lee simply would not make enough bell to seat cast lead without shaving.
novalty
Member
There are some good items for sale in the classified for getting started reloading 
