Seating Die .38-55 WIN????

[warren5421]

I need a good bullet seating die. The bullet seating die (RCBS) is't working good, doesn't like cast bullets, works great with the other type! What is a very good CAST seating die for .38-55? I reload for a Browning High Wall and a Marlin Lever Gun. The High Wall I load long to put as much Black Powder as I can. The lever gun is loaded to spec OAL so it cycles. I use 2 different bullets, the High Wall shoots best with a 335 gr bullet, lever gun at 250-270 gr. High Wall bullet is RN, Lever gun RNFP.

[1006]

I use the standard seating die from RCBS for a 260grain lead with good results. But, I believe that there is a Cowboy set made by RCBS that is specifically designed for lead bullets.

[Nobade]

I made a new flat faced seating stem for my regular RCBS die and it works like a champ. Most cast bullets are flat on the end so it fits all of them.

[Kraschenbirn]

What "isn't working good" with your seating die? I seat all my .38-55s using the seating punch for a .38/.357 wadcutter and taper crimp only enough to remove the slight flare from my (NOE) expander plug.

Bill

[Walks]

I have an old 1960's Lyman die set for this cartridge. It's seating stem is for #449, which covers the #375248, #375296 & #375449. All flat nose bullets.
The #375248 & #375449GC both work well in a Win 94 .38-55(Chief Crazy Horse) a Marlin 1894CB & Pedersoli High Wall.

GunShows are great places to find old dies, which often work better then New made stuff. At a GunShow you can really inspect the dies, see what you're getting.

[warren5421]

My Pb RN for the High Wall comes out with a ring around the nose even with the RN punch in the die. I am at my wits end so decided I need a new die for cast bullets as mine seems tight for what I load. Just started loading the .38-55. I do load the .45-70 and have not had this problem. I use a compression die and .060 wad. Not using the bullet to compress with. The bullet goes into the case easy so should not be marking bullet.

[John Boy]

My Pb RN for the High Wall comes out with a ring around the nose even with the RN punch in the die.

Easy Fix ... pull the plug - fill the cavity with hot glue - spit on the bullet nose - twist it in the hot glue - scrap the excess glue off the plug rim - put it back in the die - re-adjust for seating depth ... Perfect bullet ogives
Been doing this for years. Same works with Lyman H&I dies