Lee loader, any idea which cartridge???

[Plainsman]

I just picked up a Lee Loader that had no cartridge/caliber identification on it!!
We "think" it is .38Special, but are unsure.  A previous owner had made a powder scoop from a cut off .38Special case for this.

The only identifying marks are the patent number 3134293 and an "H" on the rim end of the main die.

The flaring tool seems perfect for a .38/.357.

The copyright on the instructions is 1984 and the box is the "soft" plastic with a hinged lid.

Any thought on cartridge/caliber or ways to help me id. are greatly appreciated!

Here's a couple of pics to help too!

Thanks!

[stimpylu32]

Plainsman

All I can say is to try a 38 spl case , then check the numbers , if they match up -- your a winner .

http://stevespages.com/page8d.htm

stimpy

[mechanic]

Can't really help.  This is an older loader, the new ones have the caliber stamped.  If it is an older 38, then likely it is JUST a 38 not 357.  Try a round and see.  Just leave the powder out and try a 38 round in it.

[wncchester]

Lee had a few "copy cat" imitators early on.  You may have one of them.

[Plainsman]

I've tried doing some checking and it appears SHORTER than a .38Special.  There's now way to seat a bullet with a .38Spcl case in there.  I have other Lee Loaders and doubt if it is an imitation.  

My guess is that it would be something "about" 3/4 the length of a .38Spcl.  Anybody have any ideas?  Maybe a 9mm??  I have some 9mm cases here to!  I'll try one and let you know how it goes!

Thanks!

[krod47nw]

Might be a 38 S&W....


Kevin

[Plainsman]

.38 S&W sounds better!

Can anybody tell me if only the RIMMED cases have recesses for rims in the Lee Loaders, please?  This one has the recess for a rimmed case and I don't remember if my .25-06 has that or not and I don't want to dig it out of the garage at -20*F to look!   If they don't, then it isn't 9mm.

I just tried a 9mm and that was tighter than the .38Spcl case I tried earlier.  SO, I'm guessing it might be something slightly smaller than a .38/9mm family.  Perhaps something in .32?

[kwells2006]

maybe a 32 long?

[billy_56081]

A 9mm case is slightly larger than a 38 special and would be tight.

[Plainsman]

Thanks for that info!   As you can tell, I don't shoot 9mm! So we may be back to .38S&W...Are they the same as .38Spcl and .357Mag?

[necchi]

No,
 stimpy gave you this link,,it show's ya standard measurements to just about every catridge made,

http://stevespages.com/page8d.htm

[Dand]

Why not email Lee this week with that number and see if they can tell you about it. I thought all Lee loaders indicated the cartridge on the die. I'll have to look at mine, bought em in the late 70's. But there was a time when there were 2 Lee companies - some sort of a family business squabble or something. One changed its name then went under - something like that  back in the 70's or 80's.

[Plainsman]

Looking at the various case dimensions, I'm thinking it's a .38S&W...Now if I only had a case of that to try!   I'll keep you guys updated!  Thanks for all the help!

[Smokin Joe]

Why not email Lee this week with that number and see if they can tell you about it.

That number is the patent number for all Lee Loaders.

[wncchester]

"we may be back to .38S&W...Are they the same as .38Spcl and .357Mag?"

.38 S&W bores tended to vary a bit in the real world but the cases were a tad thicker (larger diameter) than the later .38/.357 stuff.