The Washer Trick

[coyotejoe]

I got tired of readjusting dies when switching between .38 Special and .357 mag and considered buying another die set, but being both a cheapskate and a procrastinator I never got around to it. Then I flashed on a solution, probably an old idea but new to me. I took my digital caliper to the local True Value Hardware store and checked the thickness of a 7/8" flat washer. Eureka it miked .135" thickness, exactly the difference between .38 and .357 case length. I adjust the dies perfectly for .38s and when loading .357 I place the flat washer under the expander and seater dies and I have a perfect setup for .357. Eighty-five cents did seem pretty steep for one steel washer but a lot cheaper than a set of dies.

[beemanbeme]

I use the same method between F/L resizing and neck sizing my bottle neck cartridges. I use either flat stock to make a washer or if I can find a fender washer big enough, I file the center hole out big enough for the die body to fit thru so there's even pressure all the way around the lock ring.

[Chris Potts]

My 357 dies came with a washer for exactly what you described.  I always thought that it seemed like a pretty good idea.  I almost always use 357 brass so I don't have alot of use for it.

Chris