Redding 38 Spec / 357 Mag profile crimp & Taper crimp dies !

[Charles Graff]

The topic of the best expander for cast bullet revolver loads can get real complex real fast. When I started reloading (1959) cast bullets were just about all that was available for revolver reloading, the jacketed bullet was just on the cusp of coming on the market and even then it took them some years to get it right. It was anything but a seamless transition and one I never made.

Older (pre jacketed bullet) dies are just the ticket for revolver cast bullets as they are larger. I used both older Lyman expanders and older RCBS expanders. Some of the RCBS expanders I have modified to suit my reloading habits. When they were available for just a few buck, I assembled a good collection of old Lyman 310 expanders which I use with the thread adapter in my presses. They come in .357 and .358. The 45s are .452 and .454 and the 44 is .429. I have RCBS expanders in .356, .357 and .358.

I have zero knowledge about Dillon presses and dies and intend to maintain that level of ignorance.

Below is my 45 Colt set up. .452 Lyman 310 expander and adapter. RCBS "I" (1956) sizing die. Seating plug, turned flat from RN. Not shown in the same year RCBS seating die body. Seldom if ever, have I found a handgun OTC die set that suits my needs. An experienced reloader does not have to accept what the die maker wants to make and the die seller wants to sell. Click on it.

 

[Walks]

The topic of the best expander for cast bullet revolver loads can get real complex real fast. When I started reloading cast bullets were just about all that was available for revolver reloading, the jacketed bullet was just on the cusp of coming on the market and even them it took them some years to get it right.

Older (pre jacketed bullet) dies are just the ticket for revolver cast bullets as they are larger. I used both older Lyman expanders and older RCBS expanders. Some of the RCBS expanders I have modified to suit my reloading habits. When they were available for just a few buck, I assembled a good collection of old Lyman 310 expanders which I use with the thread adapter in my presses. They come in .357 and .358. The 45s are .452 and .454 and the 44 is .429.

I have zero knowledge about Dillon presses and dies and intent to maintain that level of ignorance.

HEAR !!! HEAR !!!!

 

[Petrol & Powder]

It's the equipment, yes......

/\ Is that a typo ? /\

 

[RBHarter]

I believe it was in reference to his experience not the damages of the next guy . At least that's the way I'm going to take it .

On that note I have a couple of RCBS decapping pins for I think 38 and 45 ACP . They are the old style that decapped and expanded in the expander die . I don't recall the dia and I'm at work now . They're just taking up space for me now as I have a 38/357 expander in the 9mm dies and a .452+ in the steel Colts and S&W 45 dies . They take the old straight pins and are intact . I got them several years ago in one of those bucket of junk deals where there were a few parts I needed , a couple of handy to haves that I didn't have , and 3 mismatched sets of serviceable dies . I'm way past my money back on them sooooooooo just say so and I'll do a thing and see if we can pair it up .

 

[Mowgli Terry]

I had looked for steel RCBS dies for years. Finally found two sets at one time. The purpose was less sizing to the cases retaining original case shape. These dies were from the 1970's. On this end after fiddling with the dies I have come to no conclusions. One would think the older dies would be made for lead bullets. This may be hard to establish. The sample of dies is too small. The answers in this thread on how to build up lead bullet die sets is right on. That way you know what you got.


My Lyman M die expander plug is.358. I have two sets of steel RCBS dies-non-carbide dies. One set is 38 Special (1972)and the other is 357 Magnum (1972). The expander dies also decaps the case with RCBS dies. Expander is marked for the caliber in each set. The die body is not marked. The 38 Special expander is .356. The 357 Magnum is .356. .Visually, side by side there is no difference between the two expanders. I don't have any current comparable expanders. The Dillon expander is .354.

 

[Walks]

/\ Is that a typo ? /\

If the equipment can't handle Winchester small Pistol Primers, if the equipment has a cheap aluminum powder measure that "galls" on itself and causes erratic powder charges with Winchester ball powder , yeah I would say it's the equipment.
Plus the operator was a blankety-blank.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

".....Sold it off to a guy that managed to blow up a M&P Victory, italian SAA clone and a Browning B92...."

I'm sorry but if someone blows up 3 guns, I don't think the blame rests with the equipment. That is operator error.

 

[358156 hp]

Dillons early powder measures and primer slides were made of zinc plated aluminum. It took them a bit to catch on to the zinc plating causing the galling. I went through it with my early 550. I got a really good guy on the line at tech support and he instructed my to empty the powder measure completely, then remove it from the press. Then I was to take the powder measure and hold it over a garbage can for a moment, then drop it in, and he would (and did) send me a new measure and primer feed. I received them in about a week, installed them, and never had another issue with either system. I still have it. I do agree that the powder funnels aren't dimensioned properly for cast though.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

I had a old style measure from 450 that did not have the fail-safe as the current measures. I had sent it in for some problem without return authorization. I received a new current style measure in return with fail-safe. I'm not so sure how safe those original measures were. Sure looked like Dillon was trying get them out of circulation. When I updated the 450 the replacement parts appeared the same as today's.

Sized a Couple of cases: As to the powder funnel it may be that Dillon made those small for their own reason. The powder funnels appear to be designed to iron out the case mouth then expand the mouth. The case mouth is ironed out by the .345 diameter powder funnel. If this is arrangement is unsatisfactory change it out. Note the similar numbers to the old RCBS expander dies.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I just bought another that popped on ebay last night. 15$

CW