.357 Lee Loader question.

[Dirty Tiger]

If I buy the Classic Lee Loader for .357 will I be able to load .38spls with it?

[beemanbeme]

yes

[Ranger J]

yes you sure can but beware!  Buying a Lee classic loader is liable to be the first step down that slippery road to reloading dependency.  Soon the classic won't be good enough and you will have to have a press, etc, etc, etc.   All kidding aside while the lee classic will work just fine it doesn't cost too much more to buy a single stage press and a set of .357 dies, which you can also load 38s with.  If your like the rest of us you will be headed that way sooner or later anyway.  PS you won't save any money by reloading but you will get more shots for your money.
RJ

[stimpylu32]

DT

Yes the lee loader will do both and it is also great for a space saver . You will also need a few other things to load with .

If you have never loaded before get a good reloading manual and read it before you try to load your first round .

STIMPY

[Leftoverdj]

Ranger, other way around, at least sometimes. .38 Special dies will load .357, but not all .357 dies will load .38 Special. Trouble comes when when you try to remove the flare or crimp and the .38 case won't go far enough into the die.

[Lawdog]

yes you sure can but beware!  Buying a Lee classic loader is liable to be the first step down that slippery road to reloading dependency.  Soon the classic won't be good enough and you will have to have a press, etc, etc, etc.   All kidding aside while the lee classic will work just fine it doesn't cost too much more to buy a single stage press and a set of .357 dies, which you can also load 38s with.  If your like the rest of us you will be headed that way sooner or later anyway.  PS you won't save any money by reloading but you will get more shots for your money.
RJ

Who's kidding!!  Sounds like the way it ends up most times. :-D  :-D  Actually you're right.  The Lee Classic Loader will load both the .38 sp. and .357.  The other option is the Lee Hand Press if you don't have room for a bench press.  Uses standard dies nad turns out bench press type/equal loads.  I take one with me when ever I am going to be away from home.  Lawdog
 

[PaulS]

When I first started loading I used the Lee classic loaders. I found that using an inexpensive arbor press with them was a lot better than seating primers with a mallet. My first sub MOA groups were with my 3006 and a classic reloader - using the dipper that came with the kit and the powders recommended.

When you find yourself hooked you can buy a Redding or RCBS setup and the scale, trimmers, calipers, autoprimers, neck sizer dies, tricklers, . . .  oops! don't pay any attention to that man behind the curtain.

[Ranger J]

Yes I can see where that could be a problem.  I have not personally run into it as I have loaded only jacketed bullets in these calibers and usually don't have to flair as I don't crimp real tight.  I have run ito the need when loading hard cast in my 44 or even jacketed bullets in my 45/70.  sorry if I misspoke as I was only going from my experience.
RJ

[Dand]

I started with Lee loaders.  Still have all 4 of them.  But when I got my first handgun, real soon I wanted a press.  I really encourage you to consider one of the economy presses and a powder scale.  I found I was damaging the case heads of my shells pounding them into the size die.  And it was SO SLOW.  The economy Lee, RCBS or other brand press and a set of carbide dies will make life a lot easier and really isnt too much more expensive.  Or go on GB Classifieds or Ebay and get a used press - there are lots out there.  An old RCBS Jr press would be great and I think you can get them for $ 20-$ 30.  

Especially for a hand gun where one tends to shoot a lot of rounds.  The press will let you spend more time at the range.

I felt much better once I got a powder scale too.  I used, still occasionally use the dippers but its nice to do safety checks with the scale.