proper 38-55 dies

[pahermit]

Getting ready to get my supplies for reloading my jes 38-55 rebore.I have been told that the rcbs cowboy dies are wrong for a jes rebore because of the smaller dia [377] lead bullet is uses.Is tere any truth r that.I was told to get the regular 38-55 rcbs instead?

[northmn]

You likely would not need a Cowboy die set for a 376 bore as offered by JES. The biggest issue would be the expander die. I use a 377 expander for the lead bullets I size to 379 for my Marlin Cowboy which seems to work just fine. Many die set use a 375 expander. I do not have a set of Cowboy dies and get by just fine. Regular dies would work in a JES re-bore and there should be no need to get cowboy dies. I have seen no need to get a set as I get by just fine with my dies.

DEP

[Gunlaker]

My cowboy dies came with two expanders. One at .376" and one at .379".

Even if those weren't right for you, you can order new expander plugs in any diameter from Buffalo Arms. They are pretty cheap.

Chris.

[1Hawkeye]

The RCBS cowboy dies come with expander's for both bullet diameters so you could load the smaller diameter bullet without an issue and if I remember right the cowboy dies are a lot cheaper price.

[Guesser]

I use Lyman dies for my 38-55, I have a custom rifle with .376 bore. The Lyman does it for cast, GC, and jacketed. The "M" die is magic, all by itself. I shoot .378 diameter cast.

[northmn]

The Lee dies would work for a JES barrel and are half the price of a set of Cowboy dies. Even if you augment with an M die it is still a little less expensive. Depends on how many 38-55's you want to get. If you go crazy over the caliber and get into antiques as well as modern ones then the RCBS CB dies would be fine. The 38-55 can be a complex cartridge to reload.

DEP

[stubshaft]

I bought a Lee universal expanding die and have Al at NOE make the inserts to expand the case to whatever dimension I want.

[ole_270]

I use the Cowboy dies with my JES rebore. Using the smaller expander and .377 sized bullets it outshots me and no leading.

[barnabus]

The Lee dies would work for a JES barrel and are half the price of a set of Cowboy dies. Even if you augment with an M die it is still a little less expensive. Depends on how many 38-55's you want to get. If you go crazy over the caliber and get into antiques as well as modern ones then the RCBS CB dies would be fine. The 38-55 can be a complex cartridge to reload.

DEP

why do you say its complex?

[georgerkahn]

To throw another fly in the ointment, as they say, note that new .38-55 brass is purveyed in two different lengths. Looking at Starline. they purvey
"38-55 Win, 38-55 Winchester, 38-55 Ballard" at 2.076" - 2.082 O.A.L."
and,
"38-55 Win, 38-55 Winchester, 38-55 (2.125), 38-55 Ballard" at 2.122" - 2.130" O.A.L.

Star*Line actually has an article, which I suggest you read on this, and their manufacture; a wee bit of history on the .38-55 -- and, their "why's":

https://www.starlinebrass.com/articles/Loading-with-Correct-38-55-Winchester-Cases--38-55-Rifle/

geo

[Pioneer2]

Along with groove sizes all over the map.