3 Die or 4 Die Set?

[GKing]

I'm getting set up to load 38 Special/357 Mag pistol ammo and have some questions.  I will be loading cast bullets from two Lyman moulds - one with gas checks and one without.

1) Do I need a 3 die or 4 die set?

2) If shooting these bullets in a Ruger Blackhawk do I need to crimp the bullets?  If so, roll crimp or taper crimp?

Thanks,
George

[BCB]

GKing,

I have reloaded every 38/357 Magnum round I have ever shot with a 3-die set...Carbide for sure.  That includes cast as well as jacketed.  And I do put a slight roll crimp on my cartridges if I am using a fast burner.  More crimp if I am using a slow burner and it produces heavier recoil.  Good-luck...BCB

[securitysix]

In the case of Lee dies, you will see the following:

3 Die set:

Sizing die
Flare die
Seating/Crimp die[/list:u]

4 Die set:


Sizing Die
Flare Die
Seating Die (may or may not have crimp, I've never checked)
Crimp die[/list:u]

I've used 3 die sets for .357 Magnum, they work fine.  In .45 Long Colt and 9mm, I have 4 die sets.  I really like the crimp die supplied in these better than the crimp built into the seating dies.

[hubbard]

i've loaded plenty of 357's, cast and jacketed. using the lee bullet seater and crimp die combination. very little trouble with bullets backing out. might be a different story with the larger calibers.