darmtn1917
Member
I've looked around the net and can not find a chart that shows they ever made dies for 38 S&W. Anybody ever seen a set -can't believe they didn't make them given the wide variety of other cal.
-
Forum Update: We've upgraded the software to improve security, performance, and the overall experience.
👉 Read why we made the change | Support the Forum
Lyman/Ideal 310 dies for 38 S&W?
- Thread starter darmtn1917
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
I think I have a box down in the vault that has 38S&W on it. The dies?? Don't know. I have at least 60 sets and partials. Go to the Cast Boolits site and ask the question..bet one of those guys know. And there is someone over there who can give you a way to get a chart.
Green Frog
Member
darmtn1917
When Ideal dies were marked with a numerical code rather than caliber, the code for 38 S&W was 34. I believe I also have a set marked 38 S&W around here was well. One problem you will run into is the fact that the diameter of the 38 S&W case is a bit larger than that of the 38 Spl and many put-together sets will have the adaptor ring for the latter which will be too tight in most cases. Since Lyman has discontinued making all of these dies now, it is a bit like a scavenger hunt to get a set to actually use. Are you interested in actually finding a set, or just curious as to whether they exist?
Froggie
PS I've put together a compendium of as many of the Ideal die codes as I've been able to track down, and it's available in several places. Let me know if you need it.
When Ideal dies were marked with a numerical code rather than caliber, the code for 38 S&W was 34. I believe I also have a set marked 38 S&W around here was well. One problem you will run into is the fact that the diameter of the 38 S&W case is a bit larger than that of the 38 Spl and many put-together sets will have the adaptor ring for the latter which will be too tight in most cases. Since Lyman has discontinued making all of these dies now, it is a bit like a scavenger hunt to get a set to actually use. Are you interested in actually finding a set, or just curious as to whether they exist?
Froggie
PS I've put together a compendium of as many of the Ideal die codes as I've been able to track down, and it's available in several places. Let me know if you need it.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I have two different sets. Both say "38 Pistol". The older set is shorter and will do 38 Short colt and 38 S&W. The newer set `(post WWII) will do up to 357 mag, but cannot seat short enough for Short Colt. Dies marked 38 WCF are for 38-40 and way too large diameter.
My pre WWII set for 44 is marked 44 S&W and will do 44 Russian and 44 Special. (Never tries to adjust it out to 44 Mag, but it looks like it will reach. I was told it would do 44-40 also, but dies marked 44WCF won't do 44 Russian and Special.
Most die sets for the Tru-Line Jr. press will work in 310 handles (there used to be 3 die diameters but now there are two.
Tru-Line die sets do not have a die for primer seating.
There are also dies for sizing cast bullets and will seat gas checks too, bullets must be pan lubed first and the "As cast" diameter need to be pretty close to finished diameter on anything over 32 hand gun size!
Lastly: Tru-line rifle dies and longer 310 dies will work in a modern press (7/8-14 threads) Lyman makes a bushing for adapting the No. 55 Powder measure in your modern press, that bushing fits the smaller diameter of the currently available dies. I had a machine shop make larger diameter bushings (set of 3) from "1/2 inch gas pipe (7/8-14)" adapter bushings to 1/8 gas pipe.
There are no die sets available for 310/Tru-line that aren't made for 7/8 14 presses, but sometimes it is what came with the gun. So "Run what you Brung!"
Ivan
My pre WWII set for 44 is marked 44 S&W and will do 44 Russian and 44 Special. (Never tries to adjust it out to 44 Mag, but it looks like it will reach. I was told it would do 44-40 also, but dies marked 44WCF won't do 44 Russian and Special.
Most die sets for the Tru-Line Jr. press will work in 310 handles (there used to be 3 die diameters but now there are two.
Tru-Line die sets do not have a die for primer seating.
There are also dies for sizing cast bullets and will seat gas checks too, bullets must be pan lubed first and the "As cast" diameter need to be pretty close to finished diameter on anything over 32 hand gun size!
Lastly: Tru-line rifle dies and longer 310 dies will work in a modern press (7/8-14 threads) Lyman makes a bushing for adapting the No. 55 Powder measure in your modern press, that bushing fits the smaller diameter of the currently available dies. I had a machine shop make larger diameter bushings (set of 3) from "1/2 inch gas pipe (7/8-14)" adapter bushings to 1/8 gas pipe.
There are no die sets available for 310/Tru-line that aren't made for 7/8 14 presses, but sometimes it is what came with the gun. So "Run what you Brung!"
Ivan
@OP,
I have not come across 310 dies for the 38 S&W; however, I have seen old Ideal tong tools every now and then on an auction site that are specifically made for the 38 S&W cartridge. These were the tong tools that had the fixed seated die and separate stations for the various reloading steps.
Also, there is business known as the 310 Shop (.com) that sells 310 dies, tools, and parts. They may even make custom dies.
I have not come across 310 dies for the 38 S&W; however, I have seen old Ideal tong tools every now and then on an auction site that are specifically made for the 38 S&W cartridge. These were the tong tools that had the fixed seated die and separate stations for the various reloading steps.
Also, there is business known as the 310 Shop (.com) that sells 310 dies, tools, and parts. They may even make custom dies.
I'm a complete idiot when it comes to these, I don't think I've ever even seen one.
But I do have a few Ideal Handbooks, the oldest, No. 24 lists the .38 S&W as being only available in a single caliber tool as lrrifleman mentioned. No. 34 lists the different cartridges by number, which for the .38 S&W is #34, as Green Frog mentioned above. No. 38 lists each piece of the reloading tools set individually with the cartridges data. No. 39 lists the individual components in a chart, but the .38 S&W cartridge isn't even on the chart.
I do like to drool over the pictures of their old loading and casting equipment. I don't know how well it worked but it all looks very well made.
But I do have a few Ideal Handbooks, the oldest, No. 24 lists the .38 S&W as being only available in a single caliber tool as lrrifleman mentioned. No. 34 lists the different cartridges by number, which for the .38 S&W is #34, as Green Frog mentioned above. No. 38 lists each piece of the reloading tools set individually with the cartridges data. No. 39 lists the individual components in a chart, but the .38 S&W cartridge isn't even on the chart.
I do like to drool over the pictures of their old loading and casting equipment. I don't know how well it worked but it all looks very well made.
Green Frog
Member
If you can load with a single stage press and have just a little imagination, loading with a tong tool is a piece of cake. After all, if an amphibian can do it sitting on a lily pad...
Froggie
OP
darmtn1917
Member
I just started back reloading a few cart. and decided this was a way to go Own a Huntington W and Lee hand press but want to get set of these for a couple of cal. Got a 38 special off Ebay but couldn't even find 38 S&W on available lists - guess it will be a long wait till a set may pop up - You'd think that they would be everywhere given the # guns made in that cal.
Yes I'd really appreciate a copy of your list as my education continues!
"
Most die sets for the Tru-Line Jr. press will work in 310 handles (there used to be 3 die diameters but now there are two." Need to be careful with those dies - combination decapper fl sizer die will stick BADLY as the 310 tong dies normally just neck size - just something noted over at Castboolits
ANY HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED DARRON
Green Frog
Member
Send me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll send you a digital copy of my die list and an article I wrote for the CBA Journal about them.
Froggie
PS If I can cobble together a set of 310 dies in 38 S&W would you be interested? I'm not loading for my Regulation Police or Terrier like I thought I would.
Froggie
PS If I can cobble together a set of 310 dies in 38 S&W would you be interested? I'm not loading for my Regulation Police or Terrier like I thought I would.
OP
darmtn1917
Member
Thanks for the chart - hadn't seen that copy before.
Blacklion66
Member
Lee makes dies for the 38 S&W
Starline makes brass
both can be ordered at this link
Starline Brass 38 S&W Unprimed Bag of 100 - Graf & Sons
Starline makes brass
both can be ordered at this link
Starline Brass 38 S&W Unprimed Bag of 100 - Graf & Sons
DWalt
Member
I have always used .38 Super dies for loading .38 S&W, works fine, have been doing it since the late 1960s. I have a Lyman Tru-Line Jr. turret press (my first press, from ca. 1960) which uses 310 dies but have not used it for a long time. I also have a number of 310 die sets for it including .38 Super. The 1962 Handloaders Digest (1st Ed.) shows that Lyman did offer 310 dies in .38 S&W but does not provide a stock number. In fact Lyman stock numbers are not given for any caliber dies, just a table showing caliber availability.
