Lee 4 die set

[kd5exp]

I will print this out and save it. I had a gunsmith look at it the other night(Smokey). He is old and in poor health but knows his guns. He is a machinist and did most of the work on the local police dept weapons for years. He doesn't do much of it anymore but I think his son is getting into it and will open a shop after he retires from the police force. Now he is close, we share a corner post on our land. He is a Captain on the Lawton City Police Dept and stays pretty busy. I'm not worried about the 38 SP it shoots just fine. I shot about 50 rounds in it last night and inspected the gun and cases and all looks good. Smokey said he did all the work for the guy my dad got this from(retired Police Captain) and he might have done this one. He said who ever did it did a good job. He said the gun is in good shape and sound just keep the loads down. I started low and worked up to 3.8 gr ans will stop there. Very easy to shoot and a small bang. Not going to push it any more.

 

[kd5exp]

I am hopeing this shop by me will open up after the frist of the year. I am interested into getting a new cylinder for this gun. After reading this thread, again and again, I caught something about the size of the case being bigger at the base and I think that is what I got. My digatal caliper is worthless, I bought it on sale and I see why it was so cheap. Won't hold it's calabration. The cases I have shot have a bulge at the base and that can only be a enlaged cylinder. After going back and printing out the pics Skip posted on here I see the difference in the size of the base. I don't know how I missed that. Would it be safe to shoot the regular 38 in it sense it has been bored out?

 

[kd5exp]

The more I read about this 38 S & W the worse I feel about it. Sense is has been modified not much I can do with it. I just want a good shooting pistol and this is never going to get there. Time to start saving my duckies and find me a real 38 sp. Too late for Santa Clause to help me. Merry Christmas Everyone!

 

[kd5exp]

What a Bummer

Well while out shopping last week I stoped at a pawn shop I know and they have closed up. He said he is getting out of the gun business because too much paper work. When I was leaving I saw a sign about a block away the said gun repair. I stoped and talk to him and told him what I had. He looked at the S&W and told me it would make a good wall mount to look at. That figures.
I have another one to play with now so will find someway to mount this for the wall.

 

[dmar]

The more I read about this 38 S & W the worse I feel about it. Sense is has been modified not much I can do with it. I just want a good shooting pistol and this is never going to get there. Time to start saving my duckies and find me a real 38 sp. Too late for Santa Clause to help me. Merry Christmas Everyone!

Not trying to spend your money for you, but the whole time I'm reading this thread, I was thinking that you are trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. There are literally millions of S&W .38 Specials out there, go find yourself a decent shooter. You can even post a WTB listing on this forum, and probably line up a nice .38 (Spcl.!) in a day, or two...

Please be careful in your reloading, and take advantage of the advice of the experienced guys that have been generous with their time trying to point you in the right direction. For example, get rid of that Tite Group powder, the thought of that, and a .357 load makes me not be near you when you shoot! I have had good results with W231 in my .38 loads. I've heard that 2400 works well in .357 mag...

BTW, I like Lee pistol dies, and the FCD. Good advice has been given regarding its use with lead bullets (or, non-use...). With lead, it really depends in your barrel/bullet diameter specs. I've used FCD with lead .38s and had great accuracy, and no leading. Although I did have issues with one gun. Best to just not use with lead, no real need... FCD is great with auto pistols/jacketed rounds.

Good luck, and be safe.

 

[kd5exp]

Thanks dmar, I have already found a Colt OP 38 sp and am happy with it so far. I did replace the grips due to my over sizes hands. I was s trying to find a powder that would work good in 38 sp and 357 mag but I quests I will just have to have two of them. I have been using 700X for the 38 sp and seems to work good. When the weather gets better I will play with it more. Still looking for a 357 mag long barrel and I have a line on one. Keep my fingers crossed.

 

[dmar]

Thanks dmar, I have already found a Colt OP 38 sp and am happy with it so far. I did replace the grips due to my over sizes hands. I was s trying to find a powder that would work good in 38 sp and 357 mag but I quests I will just have to have two of them. I have been using 700X for the 38 sp and seems to work good. When the weather gets better I will play with it more. Still looking for a 357 mag long barrel and I have a line on one. Keep my fingers crossed.

Congratulations on the Colt, that's a great gun! As for one powder for both .38 Special and .357 mag, you could go with Unique. W-231 can also work with both, just keep the mag loads on the light side; there's recipes out there for that load.

Let us know what you find for your long barrel .357...

 

[kd5exp]

Hey MaxiumumBob54, I got some 2400 and some Blue Dot. Don't know if I'll ever use them due to no primers available. sure going to cut my shooting down till they get some available again. I have 1 box left and couple hundred loaded but will hang on to them for now. I have been playing with the shot gun loading slugs and 00 Buckshot. My shoulder is very sore. I got the BAC lube in today and will try it when I get a chance to load again. Still waiting on the parts for the sizer/luber to get it fixed from leaking around piston. I works but leaks alot and yes I going to need a heater I quess.

 

[fyimo]

I'm a fan of the Lee 4 die set and I've used most of the major brands of reloading dies at some point and I feel the Lee dies are reliable and for me they get the job done. I'm not to fond of the crimping die but the rest of the set works as advertised.

 

[MarkDozier]

Intersting thoughts but I have to disagree with some. I use the Lee FCD taper crimp, on my 45's and i have no issue with leading. My taper is about .001 at the mouth.
I use the roll crimp FCD on 38's and it comes out pretty as a picture.

HP-38 is the powder i use, with great results, for 38, 357,40,45 and soon 9mm.

 

[kd5exp]

I have used the Lee 4 die set both ways. I think the FCD works better for me and looks good also and they chamber better. It's an extra step but I'm in no hurry. No problems with leading as of yet and I have shot several hundred of rounds from light to +P loads in 38 sp.

 

[kd5exp]

I got the parts for the sizer/luber today and it all fits. The double o-ring piston should work very good. Now all I need is some *^%$#$^*(*&^%#$#%^&%%^^&&%^% Primers. LOL