Using Lee loader for both 38 and 357?

[MC0861]

I am considering picking up a lee Loader (the type that you use a hammer with) to do a little tinkering, and learning.

I am new to reloading and will, in time, get a full press but these kits look like a fun way to learn and to teach my kids about the basics of the rounds themselves as well as reloading.

Lee lists kits for .38 and .357 separatly. I am guessing that you have to use different kits for each one.

Does anyone know if you need different kits? If so is there and way to work around it?

Thanks

 

[MC0861]

I am considering picking up a lee Loader (the type that you use a hammer with) to do a little tinkering, and learning.

I am new to reloading and will, in time, get a full press but these kits look like a fun way to learn and to teach my kids about the basics of the rounds themselves as well as reloading.

Lee lists kits for .38 and .357 separatly. I am guessing that you have to use different kits for each one.

Does anyone know if you need different kits? If so is there and way to work around it?

Thanks

 

[john traveler]

The difference in length between the .38 Special and the .357 Magnum case is 0.135".

You can reload .357 cases in a .38 special die set by adjusting the expander and seating/crimping dies accordingly for the different case lengths.

You can do the same thin by using a .38 Special Lee sizer to f/l size the .357 case, using the expander plug to flare the case mouth, and by seating the bullet as usual. For crimping the case mouth, you have to do it by "feel" and experience, not by driving the sizer/seater/crimper die body all the way down.

 

[MC0861]

Thanks,

that helps.

So a .38 kit can be made to work for the .357 but not the other way around?

I would be mostly using this to make a few rounds at a time and almost exclusivly .38 but it might be nice to make a few heavy magnum loads on occasion as well.

I'm sure I will end up with a lee hand press and if I enjoy reloading then a full bench set up.

These "hammer powered" loaders just seem like the perfect way to get my kids interested and my Detective Special is the most appropriate sized centerfire I have for them.

A set of dies might make more "sense" but I think this would be more interesting and "fun".

 

[NiklasP]

I started loading decades ago with a simple tool, much like the basic Lee Loader. Once I started shooting much, I went to tools like Lee Hand Loader and die sets. Reason was that the basic Lee Loader has no provision for full length resizing -- after a few reloads, it was hard to get loaded rounds into the chamber.

Actually, unless money is really limited, I would recommend getting Lee Hand Loader and a set of Lee dies. Then you can full lenght resize each time and your ammo will drop into chambers as well as factory. You can use them the remainder of you life, as I have, and still produce ammo as good as any.

Niklas

 

[Erich]

Okay, I had the opportunity to buy a used Lee Loader in either .38 Special or .357 Magnum not too long ago. (I wanted it to throw in my "bug out" bag.) I had the same concerns as you, wanting to be able to load both rounds.

I called Lee. They don't have a toll-free number (that I could find), but they have a nice customer service department. I waited on hold for a while.

The lady couldn't help me, so I waited on hold some more while she went and got a tech. He told me that the difference between the .357 and .38 Special Lee Loaders was nothing more than the size of the dipper included in the kit. So, I got the .357 one to throw in my BOB, since I have a couple extra of the .38 Special sized dippers floating around.

That said, I'd also recommend getting a Lee Hand Loader and a set of dies.

But I started out on a Lee Loader and if that's what you want, that's what you should get.

 

[MC0861]

Erich that is good to know. I will go with the .357 and an extra dipper as well. I have thought of this for my BOB as well.

Most of my shooting is with lots of free ammo so I don't need to reload much.

The hand press and some dies for my 45 Colt 625 to start off with and a clasic loader for 38 /357 will give me plenty to tinker with.

I have been looking for them used but no luck yet.

I will probably just pick one up an cabelas this week.

 

[Erich]

Check the auction sites - you never know what you'll run across, and those suckers sure don't seem to wear out.

Good luck with it.

Edited: you're probably ALREADY checking the auction sites . . . sorry.

 

[MC0861]

I try to keep an eye on the sites. They are not expensive anyway.

But winter nights at the hobby bench are quickly giving way to long evenings in the yard with the bow so I need to get something started.


Thanks for all the help.

 

[btruman]

I reloaded my first .38Sp rds using this Lee loader. May be a tad slow but it does load serviceable ammo. I would probably recommend the little Lee Reloader press or maybe the Hand Press with dies to a new reloader but for bare bones reloading the Lee loader will do the job.

 

[epj]

I have used a couple of different Lee Loaders over the years, with fair results. They work much better for bottleneck rifle cases than for straight handgun ammo IMHO. Lee sells a rudimentary bench press for about $25. They have some of their sets that include most of what you need to do "real" reloading pretty cheap, and they can be had even cheaper sometimes on eBay. I haven't tried their hand press, but I did use a Lyman 310 hand press years back. Again, it only neck sized. While it "worked", I didn't keep it long, and have no regrets that I no longer own it.

I would suggest that you invest in whatever level of bench reloader that will fit your pocketbook and skip the trials of the "make do" loading systems. They have their place, such as the "Bug Out Bag", or if you are only going to load a few rounds a year for your deer rifle.

 

[walnutred]

I've used these tools as well but not for a long time. If your packing such a kit for a bug out Kit don't forget a Lee Loader for your shotgun. I consider them much more practice for reloading shotgun shells than handgun.

For several years I only shot muzzle loaders and one Damascus shotgun, so everything was black powder. To keep things simple I only bought #6 shot. The few rifle or revolver projectiles I'd cast from melting down the shot. I could also cast buckshot if needed.