I need advise from you 357 sig reloaders

bjmanersr · January 28, 2006, 06:05 PM

I've been reloading for more years than I care to think about BUT,I've never reloaded the 357 sig.I wont to start out with a good SOFT target load and here is my question.Handloads.com says a 9 mil. loaded with 115 ranier bullets with 5 gr. of bullseye will do 1180 fps.NOW If I load this same powder and bullet in a 357 sig.(asuming there is more space in the brass)Will it be slower or faster and is it safe?I think slower but what about pressure ect.?
Thanks! I know this is a mouth full.

918v · January 28, 2006, 06:12 PM

It will be slower and dirtier. Your gun will malfunction.

A better load, if you like soft, is a 90gr JHP with Universal Clays or Power Pistol powders. I used to have a Glock 24 with a 357 Sig barrel. This load shot 1" groups at 25 yards. Recoil was mild, and the velocity approached 1900 FPS.

snuffy · January 28, 2006, 10:12 PM

You should be more concerned with the shape of those ranier bullets. You can't use just any 9mm,(.355), bullet. The tiny short neck HAS to be able to grip the driving surface of the bullet. It can't be out over the ogive of a long flowing ogive of a 9mm fmj. Unless it can crimp into the bullet, you run the risk of having that bullet driven deeper into the case when it hits the feed ramp. The OAL is so short because of mag restrictions, you can't seat out to have the neck grip the driving surface of the bullet. Trauncated cone bullets about the shape of the 124 Hornady xtp bullet is what is needed.

rangermonroe · January 28, 2006, 10:17 PM

+1 shaggy

I like the shape of the 124 gr XTP, but I have also had good luck with cast lead bullets.

115 grain fmjs get pounded back into the case and the powder falls out around the bullet.

truncated cones are the way to go.

Midway sells the GDHP 125gr specifically for the sig.

snuffy · January 28, 2006, 11:22 PM

Take a look at the 125 Hornady HAP,(hornady action pistol), bullet. It's approximatly the shape of the xtp, a hollow point, but no skiving so it don't open up much. They also make them in 121 grainers. at $32.00 for 500, it don't break the bank!

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=616998

I got 500 from midway, just finished loading a box. I'm headed to the idoor range to try them for accuracy.

kidcoltoutlaw · January 28, 2006, 11:33 PM

They work great with 10.5 Bluedot.

bjmanersr · January 29, 2006, 12:36 AM

You squared me away nicely!

caz223 · January 29, 2006, 07:15 AM

10.5 bluedot is a little hot in my sig.
Start lower, like 10.0 and work up to it.

kidcoltoutlaw · January 29, 2006, 01:16 PM

Think about my hot and super accurate load with Power Pistol and a 125 Gold Dot. Seven of my 357 SIG guns are SIG one is H&K . Factory loads are weak :barf: double tap is said to be strong. Most date for the 357 SIG is :barf: . There is some real good data at www.realguns.com The best thing about Bluedot is a case full stops bullet set back. Don't bellow the case, seat the bullet slow and you will know when the bullet enters the case.

My way of thinking is if your going to load the 357 sig weak you might as well shoot a 9mm. I bet the NATO stuff is hotter than most factory loads. I don't load any caliber hot just to get the velocity. Some caliber shoot the best loaded hot. Like the 357 SIG , 357 mag, 44 mag, 338 mag 338 RUM. As always start low and work your way up. In most calibers the powder that fills the case up and gives the highest velocity will also be the most accurate. Every data book is different get as many as you can. Hodgdon is one of the best.

caz223 · January 29, 2006, 03:34 PM

10.5 of blue dot is a good book load, and I like blue dot.
There are no pressure signs IN MY GUN.
BUT if you cared about accuracy, you wouldn't be using rainier bullets.
If I want to plink, I'll shoot 9mm, but my 2340 'rings' from the slide hitting the stop with 10.5 of blue dot.
When I get my new KKM 357SIG 6" barrel for my G20, then we can compare velocities. With a little hotter spring and the extra slide mass I suspect I can get higher than 10.5, we'll see...
But seeing how we are both 10mm types, I doubt even the hottest velocities would be very satisfying, the brass just isn't as strong.

kidcoltoutlaw · January 29, 2006, 07:53 PM

Shoot about 2.2 inches at 25 yards for 9 five shot groups. Im sure it would do better. If I tuned it for each gun but I lazy and I have 8 guns in 357 SIG . I just not going to load 8 different loads for all the different guns. I have heard that lead will not shoot so good in a glock. MY H&K has the same type rifling as the glock but it loves Rainier. Each gun is its own problem not all guns even of the same make like the same loads. I just got lucky with the 357SIG's. The Rainier's are cheap and accurate for me. They are worth a try. I emailed them when I first heard about there bullets and they sent me some free samples. I have been buying ever since. I would say I have loaded 14,000rounds of 357 SIG and 12,000 of them have been Rainier. The shape of the bullet is going to be the reason not all .355 bullets work like another member said.

In the 40 the rainier shot like sh** but it turns out to be my fault. To much crimp.

kidcoltoutlaw · January 29, 2006, 08:29 PM

http://www.handguninfo.com/Archive/www.Pete-357.com/ needs to check out this guy's web page. I think he likes it as much as I do.

January 28, 2006, 06:05 PM	#1
bjmanersr Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2005 Location: Tennessee by way of AL. Posts: 161	I need advise from you 357 sig reloaders I've been reloading for more years than I care to think about BUT,I've never reloaded the 357 sig.I wont to start out with a good SOFT target load and here is my question.Handloads.com says a 9 mil. loaded with 115 ranier bullets with 5 gr. of bullseye will do 1180 fps.NOW If I load this same powder and bullet in a 357 sig.(asuming there is more space in the brass)Will it be slower or faster and is it safe?I think slower but what about pressure ect.? Thanks! I know this is a mouth full. __________________ B J Maner sr

January 28, 2006, 10:12 PM	#3
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	bullet shape You should be more concerned with the shape of those ranier bullets. You can't use just any 9mm,(.355), bullet. The tiny short neck HAS to be able to grip the driving surface of the bullet. It can't be out over the ogive of a long flowing ogive of a 9mm fmj. Unless it can crimp into the bullet, you run the risk of having that bullet driven deeper into the case when it hits the feed ramp. The OAL is so short because of mag restrictions, you can't seat out to have the neck grip the driving surface of the bullet. Trauncated cone bullets about the shape of the 124 Hornady xtp bullet is what is needed. __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

January 28, 2006, 11:22 PM	#5
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	Take a look at the 125 Hornady HAP,(hornady action pistol), bullet. It's approximatly the shape of the xtp, a hollow point, but no skiving so it don't open up much. They also make them in 121 grainers. at $32.00 for 500, it don't break the bank! http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=616998 I got 500 from midway, just finished loading a box. I'm headed to the idoor range to try them for accuracy. __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

January 28, 2006, 11:33 PM	#6
kidcoltoutlaw Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: bluefield Posts: 735	Rainer 124 FP They work great with 10.5 Bluedot. __________________ It's not just a gun it's the symbol of freedom

January 29, 2006, 12:36 AM	#7
bjmanersr Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2005 Location: Tennessee by way of AL. Posts: 161	Thanks Guys You squared me away nicely! __________________ B J Maner sr

January 28, 2006, 06:12 PM	#2
918v Junior member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Posts: 1,372	It will be slower and dirtier. Your gun will malfunction. A better load, if you like soft, is a 90gr JHP with Universal Clays or Power Pistol powders. I used to have a Glock 24 with a 357 Sig barrel. This load shot 1" groups at 25 yards. Recoil was mild, and the velocity approached 1900 FPS.

January 28, 2006, 10:17 PM	#4
rangermonroe Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2005 Location: savannah Posts: 758	+1 shaggy I like the shape of the 124 gr XTP, but I have also had good luck with cast lead bullets. 115 grain fmjs get pounded back into the case and the powder falls out around the bullet. truncated cones are the way to go. Midway sells the GDHP 125gr specifically for the sig.

January 29, 2006, 07:15 AM	#8
caz223 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,429	10.5 bluedot is a little hot in my sig. Start lower, like 10.0 and work up to it. __________________ I'm not just a gun. I'm YOUR gun. (Hold me.)

January 29, 2006, 01:16 PM	#9
kidcoltoutlaw Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: bluefield Posts: 735	Then you don't even want to Think about my hot and super accurate load with Power Pistol and a 125 Gold Dot. Seven of my 357 SIG guns are SIG one is H&K . Factory loads are weak :barf: double tap is said to be strong. Most date for the 357 SIG is :barf: . There is some real good data at www.realguns.com The best thing about Bluedot is a case full stops bullet set back. Don't bellow the case, seat the bullet slow and you will know when the bullet enters the case. My way of thinking is if your going to load the 357 sig weak you might as well shoot a 9mm. I bet the NATO stuff is hotter than most factory loads. I don't load any caliber hot just to get the velocity. Some caliber shoot the best loaded hot. Like the 357 SIG , 357 mag, 44 mag, 338 mag 338 RUM. As always start low and work your way up. In most calibers the powder that fills the case up and gives the highest velocity will also be the most accurate. Every data book is different get as many as you can. Hodgdon is one of the best. __________________ It's not just a gun it's the symbol of freedom

January 29, 2006, 03:34 PM	#10
caz223 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,429	10.5 of blue dot is a good book load, and I like blue dot. There are no pressure signs IN MY GUN. BUT if you cared about accuracy, you wouldn't be using rainier bullets. If I want to plink, I'll shoot 9mm, but my 2340 'rings' from the slide hitting the stop with 10.5 of blue dot. When I get my new KKM 357SIG 6" barrel for my G20, then we can compare velocities. With a little hotter spring and the extra slide mass I suspect I can get higher than 10.5, we'll see... But seeing how we are both 10mm types, I doubt even the hottest velocities would be very satisfying, the brass just isn't as strong. __________________ I'm not just a gun. I'm YOUR gun. (Hold me.) Last edited by caz223; January 29, 2006 at 04:10 PM.

January 29, 2006, 07:53 PM	#11
kidcoltoutlaw Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: bluefield Posts: 735	Rainier Bullets in a Sig or Bar-Sto Shoot about 2.2 inches at 25 yards for 9 five shot groups. Im sure it would do better. If I tuned it for each gun but I lazy and I have 8 guns in 357 SIG . I just not going to load 8 different loads for all the different guns. I have heard that lead will not shoot so good in a glock. MY H&K has the same type rifling as the glock but it loves Rainier. Each gun is its own problem not all guns even of the same make like the same loads. I just got lucky with the 357SIG's. The Rainier's are cheap and accurate for me. They are worth a try. I emailed them when I first heard about there bullets and they sent me some free samples. I have been buying ever since. I would say I have loaded 14,000rounds of 357 SIG and 12,000 of them have been Rainier. The shape of the bullet is going to be the reason not all .355 bullets work like another member said. In the 40 the rainier shot like sh** but it turns out to be my fault. To much crimp. __________________ It's not just a gun it's the symbol of freedom

January 29, 2006, 08:29 PM	#12
kidcoltoutlaw Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: bluefield Posts: 735	Everybody that loads a 357 SIG http://www.handguninfo.com/Archive/www.Pete-357.com/ needs to check out this guy's web page. I think he likes it as much as I do. __________________ It's not just a gun it's the symbol of freedom