310 die question

[Wayne Smith]

Gentlemen and Ladies,

I have the 310 die insert shown below. I do not find a 344 number referenced in my data and it is screwed into a #95 die body. It came in a set of 38 Special dies (probably mixed, not in boxes) and appears to be intended by someone as a boolit seat die. I think it would work that way, but did Lyman make any flat boolit seat dies? Before I pass this on I'd like to know it's intended use.

132579132580

[Pepe Ray]

I find 344 as a seat screw # for a wad cutter #358344.
Found in Lyman Cast Bulllet Hand Book circa 1973.
page 220
Pepe Ray

[Wayne Smith]

Thank you Pepe! Makes sense.

[bedbugbilly]

Wayne - I have that same seating stem that came in an odd 38 spl. (95) seating die that I picked up. I mainly load round nose in my 310 sets (I have a 38 spl. - a 357 and one with short enough die bodies to do 38 Colt Short & Long). In a pinch, I have used that seating stem to load the RN and it actually works pretty decent if I take it easy - doesn't deform the RN other than a very small flat. I've been able to get several RN stems though and they are what I use now. I've just never loaded wad cutters with the 310 but will give it a try sometime with that stem - I would think it would be long enough to seat the WC as well as a SWC.

Darn - the 310s can sure be addictive . . . and fun!