Interchangeable Dies

[62chevy]

Frequently, dies from one caliber may be used to load other calibers. Due to the locations of crimping shoulders and expander plug lengths, the operation will only work for dies of the shorter caliber to the longer caliber. In example, to load .357 Magnum cartridges with .38 Special dies, the Sizing Die (1st die) setting stays the same for both calibers. The Powder Through Expanding Die (2nd die) and the Bullet Seating Die (3rd die) must be backed out approximately 2 turns for the .357 Magnum. This is the difference in length from the .38 Special to the .357 Magnum. This setting must be tweaked in as 2 turn is approximate.

Even though some dies are interchangeable, in many cases, different shell holders are necessary. You can see a complete list of shellholders in our FAQ section "Case Preparation" then "Shellholders and Calibers".

45 Colt - 454 Casull *
44 Special - 44 Magnum
38 Special - 357 Magnum
30-30 Winchester - 30 Remington
357 Magnum - 357 Maximum
38 Super - 9mm Largo
44 Russian - 44 Special
40 Smith & Wesson - 10mm - 41 Action Express
32 Smith & Wesson - 32 S&W Long - 32 H&R Magnum **-.327 Fed Magnum

*The 45 Colt expander die will also work for the 454 Casull by backing the die out approximately two turns to compensate for the difference in case length.

**Lee dies allow the use of .308 bullets in the 32 H&R Magnum. The other bullet diameter commonly used is .311 and that is the expander that comes with the set. To use .308 bullets, it is necessary to purchase an additional expander and turn it down to .308. This can be done using a drill press and emery cloth

[buckeye43210]

I wouldn't use 40 Smith & Wesson or 10mm dies on 41 Action Express brass.

40 Smith & Wesson load data might be in the same ballpark, but the physical dimensions are different...

[cj8281]

I have loaded a few 380s using my 223 die to decap and resize, then tweaked the 9mm expander die and the seating die so they would work. My friend said that they functioned just fine, no feeding or extraction problems. Used the 105gr 38 spl bullet sized down to .356. They work great for plinking in 9mm too.

[daboone]

You can add 32ACP and M1 Carbine to the list of compatible shellholders. But obviously not the dies.

[RBHarter]

I have a picture that I can't find so I will take another this evening .
30-30 and 30 Rem as well as 32 WS and 32 Rem arent really interchangeable . They will do in a pinch as neck sizing with a FL from the Winchester die to the Rem brass an as a neck and bottom 1/3 body die from a Rem die to Win brass .
The Lee whack a mole set is labeled for both cases but is only a neck sizer . The Rem cartridges compared to the Winchester "ballistic twin " that shares data might as well be an Ackley with Weatherby shoulders , the 32 anyway .

[oscarflytyer]

45 ACP - 45 Colt - been there/done that. kinda like neck sizing bottle neck brass!
44 Russian - 44 Special - 44 Magnum - see above...
38 Special - 357 Magnum - 357 Maximum - above...
Can neck size 222 Rem with 223 Rem
Can factory crimp a LOT of diff same caliber rounds with the same Lee Factory Crimp dies.

[oscarflytyer]

forgot... 41 Special - 41 Mag

[RBHarter]

As promised .
32 Rem,30 Rem,30-30,32 Rem and 6.8 SPC . The body taper between the Rem and Win can be seen clearly as well as the huge difference in shoulders. The 6.8 is thrown in as the 30 Rem is the parent cartridge and shows the major alteration to fit the AR platform.

[Steve]

I prefer to set up a new shell plate complete with all dies when I need to use a like die on another caliber.

[Joisey]

Although a bit of an odd duck these days, you can use 357 magnum dies to reload the 357 maximum cases.