My old 38/357 Lee dies

My dies are from the early 80's, and I suppose they are early examples of the no-lube dies with the Carbide ring. They've worked fine for 35ish years, but every time I reload I notice that the carbide ring does not size down to the case rim. It leaves about 3/16 of an inch of case unsized. It bothers me for a day and then I forget again. Well...today I haven't forgotten yet.

Do newer dies size all the way to the case rim? If so, I might go shopping.

Mine don't size all the way to the rim. I think it has to do with the shell holder and how far you screw in the die.

You can assume that the first thing I tried 30 years ago was to screw it in as far as possible. I'm wondering if newer dies and perhaps improved positioning of the carbide ring allow for resizing closer to the case rim. If so, I'm hoping to get the name of the dies.

That section of the case is solid brass, except for primer pocket and flash hole. It will not expand and will never need sizing. The new dies will not size it either.

I didn't know that. I'll investigate, hacksaw in hand.

Correct that newer dies will not size the few tenths of an inch closest to the rim.

.200" to be exact, that is a standard for just about any SAAMI spec cartridge. At least I can't think of one, pistol or rifle, that isn't.

Thanks. All these years I've been grumping at my sizing die, which didn't deserve the abuse.

It will forgive you

Take it out to dinner and give it some flowers.

On second thought, just clean it off real good and maybe a light coat of oil on the threads. Should keep them happy for another 35 years.

Oh, and every time you use them start off with an apology