loading the 357 sig

bjmanersr · July 11, 2005, 10:30 PM

Does anybody load this cal? And if so could u give me some good target loads.
They will be to practice with a glock 27 with a 357 barel and clip.Thanks

caz223 · July 12, 2005, 07:07 AM

My practice load is 9.0 grains blue dot behind a rainier 124 plated hollow point, I tried 10 grains, and it felt like the gun was battering too much.
9 grains is about right for me.
1.140 COL, WIN primer.
Really, really give those the setback test, and make sure they don't set back.
I got a lee factory crimp die, and use the $$$$ dillon dies.
Winchester and starline brass are waaaaaaayyyyyyyy better than any other brass in 357SIG.

The accuracy could be better, going to try winchester JHPs soon.
I bet unique, power pistol, WSF and HS-6 are all pretty good.

357SIG likes pressure, and pussing out on the velocity really opens up the groups, for best results, keep it at least 30,000 PSI or higher to get the best results.

caz223 · July 12, 2005, 07:23 AM

Also, be careful how far you screw the sizing die in.
Screw it in too far, and have light primer strikes, out too far, and you may have problems with locking up fully.
I tried to use 9x25 dies, they all work great except the sizing die, which I sold off.
(I got a sweet deal on the dies, I got 5 dies, a mix of 9x25 and 357SIG dies, and a lee FC die for $60 used.) Sold the 9x25 sizer for $20 to a friend.
He still bugs be about the rest of the dies.
If you haven't loaded 357SIG before, it may be frustrating at first.
Dillon makes the only carbide dies, and they're over $100, I heard of people using a .40 sizer, then a 357SIG sizer to avoid lubing cases.
Hornady one shot works great, use it sparingly.

I use rainiers because they have a natural resistance to setback.
Jacketed bullets set back easier unless you can find 9mm JHPs with a cannelure...

Peter M. Eick · July 12, 2005, 08:29 AM

I have found aa9 is "the" powder for the sig. It supports the bullet so setback is really not an issue. For best accuracy, go to hornady's site and look up the 147 grn xtp with AA9 load. I find the best accuracy is at about 95% of maximum. You can cross reference the load to AA's manual as a double check.

Swamp Yankee · July 12, 2005, 07:34 PM

Alternative is Power Pistol.

For a target load start at 8.5 grains of PowerPistol behind a Speer 125 grain TMJ, (Speer # 4362), Winchester Small Pistol Primer. Watch your overall length carefully. I try to stay at 1.130 +/- .005.

Take Care

bjmanersr · July 13, 2005, 09:01 PM

SDBettas · July 15, 2005, 08:10 AM

Speaking from experience in reloading several thousand 357 Sig rounds. I tried the plateds and quickly realized that they keyhole and come apart in all but the really weak loads. Montana Gold makes a 125gr jacketed bullet specifically for the 357 Sig I'm on my 2nd thousand and am very happy with them so far. One thing with 357 Sig and setback, is that if you use a slow enough powder that fills the case will help with setback, since the bullet would have nowhere to go.

July 11, 2005, 10:30 PM	#1
bjmanersr Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2005 Location: Tennessee by way of AL. Posts: 161	loading the 357 sig Does anybody load this cal? And if so could u give me some good target loads. They will be to practice with a glock 27 with a 357 barel and clip.Thanks __________________ B J Maner sr

July 12, 2005, 07:07 AM	#2
caz223 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,429	My practice load is 9.0 grains blue dot behind a rainier 124 plated hollow point, I tried 10 grains, and it felt like the gun was battering too much. 9 grains is about right for me. 1.140 COL, WIN primer. Really, really give those the setback test, and make sure they don't set back. I got a lee factory crimp die, and use the $$$$ dillon dies. Winchester and starline brass are waaaaaaayyyyyyyy better than any other brass in 357SIG. The accuracy could be better, going to try winchester JHPs soon. I bet unique, power pistol, WSF and HS-6 are all pretty good. 357SIG likes pressure, and pussing out on the velocity really opens up the groups, for best results, keep it at least 30,000 PSI or higher to get the best results. __________________ I'm not just a gun. I'm YOUR gun. (Hold me.)

July 12, 2005, 07:23 AM	#3
caz223 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,429	Also, be careful how far you screw the sizing die in. Screw it in too far, and have light primer strikes, out too far, and you may have problems with locking up fully. I tried to use 9x25 dies, they all work great except the sizing die, which I sold off. (I got a sweet deal on the dies, I got 5 dies, a mix of 9x25 and 357SIG dies, and a lee FC die for $60 used.) Sold the 9x25 sizer for $20 to a friend. He still bugs be about the rest of the dies. If you haven't loaded 357SIG before, it may be frustrating at first. Dillon makes the only carbide dies, and they're over $100, I heard of people using a .40 sizer, then a 357SIG sizer to avoid lubing cases. Hornady one shot works great, use it sparingly. I use rainiers because they have a natural resistance to setback. Jacketed bullets set back easier unless you can find 9mm JHPs with a cannelure... __________________ I'm not just a gun. I'm YOUR gun. (Hold me.)

July 12, 2005, 08:29 AM	#4
Peter M. Eick Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 1999 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,991	I have found aa9 is "the" powder for the sig. It supports the bullet so setback is really not an issue. For best accuracy, go to hornady's site and look up the 147 grn xtp with AA9 load. I find the best accuracy is at about 95% of maximum. You can cross reference the load to AA's manual as a double check. __________________ 10mm and 357sig, the best things to come along since the 38 super!

July 13, 2005, 09:01 PM	#6
bjmanersr Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2005 Location: Tennessee by way of AL. Posts: 161	Thanks A Heap!!!!!!!!!! __________________ B J Maner sr

July 12, 2005, 07:34 PM	#5
Swamp Yankee Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2000 Location: Northeastern Ct. Posts: 1,019	Alternative is Power Pistol. For a target load start at 8.5 grains of PowerPistol behind a Speer 125 grain TMJ, (Speer # 4362), Winchester Small Pistol Primer. Watch your overall length carefully. I try to stay at 1.130 +/- .005. Take Care

July 15, 2005, 08:10 AM	#7
SDBettas Junior Member Join Date: April 19, 2002 Location: Miami Posts: 10	Plateds don't fare well in this high velocity caliber. Speaking from experience in reloading several thousand 357 Sig rounds. I tried the plateds and quickly realized that they keyhole and come apart in all but the really weak loads. Montana Gold makes a 125gr jacketed bullet specifically for the 357 Sig I'm on my 2nd thousand and am very happy with them so far. One thing with 357 Sig and setback, is that if you use a slow enough powder that fills the case will help with setback, since the bullet would have nowhere to go.