.357 SIG powder selection

Telperion · May 30, 2007, 01:28 AM

I started loading .357 SIG with AA #9, based on recommendations that it was the premier powder for .357 SIG, but the results have been less than satisfactory. Lots of muzzle flash; pistol, clothes, and shooting bench get covered in unburned powder, and it's less accurate on paper than factory loads. Is it that #9 is too slow?

Does anyone have experience with using Power Pistol, VV N340, N350, or 3N37 in .357 SIG? How well do they meter, and what level of muzzle flash do they create? Any other powders that I ought to consider? My goal is to push a 125 gr bullet at 1350 fps to match the SD ammo I use.

JohnLizCas · May 31, 2007, 03:09 PM

Mine works great with Red Dot powder. Easy cleanup and accurate. Load stats are easy to find on Hercules Powder site. John

ledavatar · June 3, 2007, 05:01 PM

I've used PowerPistol on .357 Sig with great results. People say PowerPistol produces big muzzle flashes, but I haven't really been noticing. 8 grains under a 124gr bulllet seems to be the most accurate.

I've only experienced small amounts of ashy unburned power when I put in very weak loads. Are you putting at least the starting load?

Telperion · June 3, 2007, 07:36 PM

Pretty much all my loads were spraying a lot of unburned powder. I tried tightening the crimp, and this seemed to help with muzzle flash and powder spray. I'll probably still experiment with Power Pistol or the VV stuff when I have an opportunity to do so.

gandog56 · June 3, 2007, 11:37 PM

I've used nothing but Unique so far, but I am intriqued. I have some AA # 9 around and may have to try a few rounds.

Kentuckian · June 4, 2007, 10:40 PM

8.5gr of Power Pistol w/124gr bullet is a great load, IMO.

I started out using AA#9, but the PP gives better performance, and is more economical as well.

nevadajohn · June 5, 2007, 07:39 PM

Power pistol,Blue dot, nuf said.John

May 30, 2007, 01:28 AM	#1
Telperion Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 38	.357 SIG powder selection I started loading .357 SIG with AA #9, based on recommendations that it was the premier powder for .357 SIG, but the results have been less than satisfactory. Lots of muzzle flash; pistol, clothes, and shooting bench get covered in unburned powder, and it's less accurate on paper than factory loads. Is it that #9 is too slow? Does anyone have experience with using Power Pistol, VV N340, N350, or 3N37 in .357 SIG? How well do they meter, and what level of muzzle flash do they create? Any other powders that I ought to consider? My goal is to push a 125 gr bullet at 1350 fps to match the SD ammo I use.

May 31, 2007, 03:09 PM	#2
JohnLizCas Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 162	357 Sig Mine works great with Red Dot powder. Easy cleanup and accurate. Load stats are easy to find on Hercules Powder site. John __________________ For those who have had to fight for it, life holds a special meaning that the protected will never know.

June 3, 2007, 11:37 PM	#5
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2006 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 979	I've used nothing but Unique so far, but I am intriqued. I have some AA # 9 around and may have to try a few rounds. __________________ Some people think I'm paranoid because I have guns. If I have guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?

June 5, 2007, 07:39 PM	#7
nevadajohn Member Join Date: August 20, 2005 Posts: 16	Powder Power pistol,Blue dot, nuf said.John

June 3, 2007, 05:01 PM	#3
ledavatar Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2006 Posts: 147	I've used PowerPistol on .357 Sig with great results. People say PowerPistol produces big muzzle flashes, but I haven't really been noticing. 8 grains under a 124gr bulllet seems to be the most accurate. I've only experienced small amounts of ashy unburned power when I put in very weak loads. Are you putting at least the starting load?

June 3, 2007, 07:36 PM	#4
Telperion Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 38	Pretty much all my loads were spraying a lot of unburned powder. I tried tightening the crimp, and this seemed to help with muzzle flash and powder spray. I'll probably still experiment with Power Pistol or the VV stuff when I have an opportunity to do so.

June 4, 2007, 10:40 PM	#6
Kentuckian Junior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Kentuckyland Posts: 2	8.5gr of Power Pistol w/124gr bullet is a great load, IMO. I started out using AA#9, but the PP gives better performance, and is more economical as well.