357 Sig And Lead Bullets

jtmckinney · January 20, 2011, 04:54 PM

Can 357 Sig be reloaded with lead bullets?

The loading manual I have "Lyman-Pistol & Revolver Third Edition" only recommends jacketed bullets. It says "Unfortunately, the short neck of the 357 SIG proved unsuitable for use with any of Lyman's cast bullets".

I thought I would buy some lead bullets to reduce my cost for practice ammo.

The bullets I am considering are these < http://www.friendswoodbullet.com/9mm...76_306871.aspx >. I will shoot 147 grain HP/XTP's when in the field.

I did some searching on line but all I could find were refferences to 9mm.

Has anyone tried this?

Thanks!
James

jepp2 · January 20, 2011, 07:08 PM

Quote:

I thought I would buy some lead bullets to reduce my cost for practice ammo.

What velocity are you looking for? The 357 Sig is a pretty hot round. If you are going to reduce the load for lead, a 9mm might be a better choice (in case you have one).

I don't know how much you are going to save by using lead. The bullets will be $.06 each + shipping. You could be shooting Montana Gold jacketed for $.08 including shipping if you buy in bulk.

I know this doesn't answer your question, but I stick with jacketed in my 357 Sigs and use lead in my 9mm's.

WESHOOT2 · January 20, 2011, 09:05 PM

I suggest ensuring no possible bullet setback in your 357 SIG handloads.

If in your search for lead-bullet published data you find none you might carefully consider why......

jtmckinney · January 20, 2011, 09:09 PM

Thanks "jepp2" for your reply.

I shoot a Glock 24 (6 in. barrel) probably a Gen 2 with a Storm Lake drop in barrel. I am totally happy with the combination. I am getting low 1,300 fps with 7.6 grains 800X and 147 grain HP/XTP.

My question is more related to the short neck of the 357 Sig and cast lead bullets. Is this real or only Lyman lawyering up? If I can save money then that is money I can spend elsewhere.

James

WESHOOT2 · January 20, 2011, 09:14 PM

Lyman data is generated with bullets cast from Lyman moulds.

What do your other data sources offer?

jtmckinney · January 20, 2011, 10:01 PM

Quote: "What do your other data sources offer?"

I haven't been able to find any other data sources with suggested loads for cast lead or even plated bullets for 357 Sig (maybre that is what I need to be paying attention to). But I haven't been able to fine any explinations as to why 357 Sig is not suitable to hard cast lead bullets except for the Lyman manual which specifically reffers to its lead bullets.

Thanks for the reply.
James

m&p45acp10+1 · January 20, 2011, 10:28 PM

If I remember correctly there is no listed data for .357 Sig. with plated bullets due to the fact that they do not have a cannulure for crimping. ( could be wrong. I think it was on the site for Berry's)

Rangefinder · January 20, 2011, 10:36 PM

Ask and thou shall receive...

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...169#post886169

Quote:

If in your search for lead-bullet published data you find none you might carefully consider why......

And the answer to that would be.... "Because it hasn't caught on enough to put out a wide variety of test data for---and CYA by the manufacturers since it's not the easiest thing to load for in a cast bullet format."

On the other hand, there are some of us who shoot cast bullets through anything and everything--with wonderful success every day.

WESHOOT2 · January 21, 2011, 07:48 AM

That isn't the kind of "published data" I was referring to......

I was speaking more of Speer / Lyman / Hornady / Sierra / Nosler / etc....

Don P · January 21, 2011, 08:05 AM

Weshoot2 in post #3 says it all. Many of the competition shooters that I shoot with are running 357SIg and all are shooting FMJ. Makes you wonder why???????

jtmckinney · January 21, 2011, 08:39 AM

Thanks to all who responded. Rangefinder that was the kind of link I was looking for. Very informative. I have no plans to cast my own at this time but the idea is very interesting and I may in the future. I also liked the "we can do it" attitude.

I agree, 357 Sig is a challenging reload. I also realize that even if I make and shoot 1,000 with no problems but the 1,001 shot blows up my gun with possible injury that is not good enough.

I think I will try this but proceed cautiously.

Once again Thanks!
James

Poohgyrr · February 19, 2013, 02:26 PM

"old" thread, but thanks for the link to cast boolits. Appreciate it and good info.

January 20, 2011, 04:54 PM	#1
jtmckinney Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 490	357 Sig And Lead Bullets Can 357 Sig be reloaded with lead bullets? The loading manual I have "Lyman-Pistol & Revolver Third Edition" only recommends jacketed bullets. It says "Unfortunately, the short neck of the 357 SIG proved unsuitable for use with any of Lyman's cast bullets". I thought I would buy some lead bullets to reduce my cost for practice ammo. The bullets I am considering are these < http://www.friendswoodbullet.com/9mm...76_306871.aspx >. I will shoot 147 grain HP/XTP's when in the field. I did some searching on line but all I could find were refferences to 9mm. Has anyone tried this? Thanks! James __________________ “Government does few things well but it does them at great expense” Cal Thomas “When Government Can’t Be Trusted” 6/11/2013 When I am weaker than you, I ask you for freedom because that is according to your principles; When I am stronger than you, I take away your freedoms because that is according to my principles. Frank Herbert "Children of Dune"

January 20, 2011, 09:09 PM	#4
jtmckinney Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 490	Thanks "jepp2" for your reply. I shoot a Glock 24 (6 in. barrel) probably a Gen 2 with a Storm Lake drop in barrel. I am totally happy with the combination. I am getting low 1,300 fps with 7.6 grains 800X and 147 grain HP/XTP. My question is more related to the short neck of the 357 Sig and cast lead bullets. Is this real or only Lyman lawyering up? If I can save money then that is money I can spend elsewhere. James __________________ “Government does few things well but it does them at great expense” Cal Thomas “When Government Can’t Be Trusted” 6/11/2013 When I am weaker than you, I ask you for freedom because that is according to your principles; When I am stronger than you, I take away your freedoms because that is according to my principles. Frank Herbert "Children of Dune"

January 20, 2011, 09:14 PM	#5
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Lyman data is generated with bullets cast from Lyman moulds. What do your other data sources offer? __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

January 20, 2011, 10:01 PM	#6
jtmckinney Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 490	Quote: "What do your other data sources offer?" I haven't been able to find any other data sources with suggested loads for cast lead or even plated bullets for 357 Sig (maybre that is what I need to be paying attention to). But I haven't been able to fine any explinations as to why 357 Sig is not suitable to hard cast lead bullets except for the Lyman manual which specifically reffers to its lead bullets. Thanks for the reply. James __________________ “Government does few things well but it does them at great expense” Cal Thomas “When Government Can’t Be Trusted” 6/11/2013 When I am weaker than you, I ask you for freedom because that is according to your principles; When I am stronger than you, I take away your freedoms because that is according to my principles. Frank Herbert "Children of Dune"

January 20, 2011, 10:28 PM	#7
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	If I remember correctly there is no listed data for .357 Sig. with plated bullets due to the fact that they do not have a cannulure for crimping. ( could be wrong. I think it was on the site for Berry's) __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

January 20, 2011, 09:05 PM	#3
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	I suggest ensuring no possible bullet setback in your 357 SIG handloads. If in your search for lead-bullet published data you find none you might carefully consider why...... __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

January 21, 2011, 07:48 AM	#9
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	That isn't the kind of "published data" I was referring to...... I was speaking more of Speer / Lyman / Hornady / Sierra / Nosler / etc.... __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

January 21, 2011, 08:05 AM	#10
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	Weshoot2 in post #3 says it all. Many of the competition shooters that I shoot with are running 357SIg and all are shooting FMJ. Makes you wonder why??????? __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

January 21, 2011, 08:39 AM	#11
jtmckinney Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 490	Thanks to all who responded. Rangefinder that was the kind of link I was looking for. Very informative. I have no plans to cast my own at this time but the idea is very interesting and I may in the future. I also liked the "we can do it" attitude. I agree, 357 Sig is a challenging reload. I also realize that even if I make and shoot 1,000 with no problems but the 1,001 shot blows up my gun with possible injury that is not good enough. I think I will try this but proceed cautiously. Once again Thanks! James __________________ “Government does few things well but it does them at great expense” Cal Thomas “When Government Can’t Be Trusted” 6/11/2013 When I am weaker than you, I ask you for freedom because that is according to your principles; When I am stronger than you, I take away your freedoms because that is according to my principles. Frank Herbert "Children of Dune"

February 19, 2013, 02:26 PM	#12
Poohgyrr Senior Member Join Date: June 26, 2002 Location: Northern CA Posts: 158	"old" thread, but thanks for the link to cast boolits. Appreciate it and good info. __________________ John Northern CA "Life brings sorrows and joys alike. It is what a man does with them - not what they do to him - that is the true test of his mettle." T. Roosevelt