.357 Sig Reloading

[Toolfreak]

My son in law wants me to help reload for his .357 sig since the cost is crazy!. I would teach him how to do it but I had a question, since it is a bottle neck cartridge I have read many threads that it can be difficult but I am not sure if it really is or not so looking for some input. I load .223 and I know to be careful about lubing and have not had any oil dents but is .357 more prone to having issues or just be careful and go for it?

 

[bigwheel]

Found this.
http://www.massreloading.com/357sig.html

 

[xdmikey]

I had heard about difficulty as well and then I shot one so I'm thinking I'll just have to learn how!

 

[bigwheel]

Sounds like the round is a good one. Let us know how the reloading goes. Thanks

 

[Toolfreak]

I hope to find out soon once my son in law buys the dies!

 

[bigwheel]

Well if he’s like some of the yankee bastid Son in laws we have been blessed with..wouldn’t hold my breath on him doing anything useful. Woops..in order to be non discriminatory the first one was an inbred Texas idiot from Wise County.

 

[Brains]

Been a long time since I shot a friend's .357 sig. Never really wanted one of my own, figured I can hot load some 9mm and fire them in my stronger "+P" rated pistols and be relatively close.

 

[bigwheel]

Same situation on my dear old .40. Just watched a you tube on Buffalo Bore 155 grain jhp +P. Looks impressive in the gel. They said it’s not safe to shoot in plastic guns.

 

[Deavis]

If you can get 1500FPs with a 125gr 9mm +P then you don't need a Sig. Nothing hard about Sig but you absolutely need to use a bullet made for Sig, not just any 9mm bullet works.

The neck is small so if the bullet is not full diameter, you can get setback. Most 9mm bullets have a really long ogive so you end up without enough diameter and setback. The MGB 125gr or Zero 125 work really well, as do most 147s. Do NOT over crimp, you need .002 less than neck diameter max.

If you want real safety, use Blue Dot or #9, both deliver outstanding performance, are compressed, and you will have zero chance of setback with them. Get a case gage from Wilson and set your sizing die like a rifle, don't just screw to shellplate, set the shoulder back correctly. Lastly, do not expand the neck, just flare enough to seat and nothing more. You WANT as much neck tension as possible in this one.

You can hit 1600FPs with that and be within SAAMI spec with a 125gr bullet. Great cartridge.