357 SIG

[EdMc]

Anyone do any loading in this caliber? Any pearls of wisdom?

Picked up a M&P in 357 Sig last week along with some dies. Starline etc on order. Did find some info on Pete's 357 Sig Page. Thanks in advance.

[sqlbullet]

Shadow has barrels for his Glocks in this caliber.  I can't imagine he doesn't load for it.

[The_Shadow]

Yes I do load for the 357Sig...the bullet selection is part of the performance, the bullets need to have long straight sides to help prevent bullet set back and maintain good neck tension.

I started with the LEE dies but even with lube the sizer die gaulled...I found a set of Dillon dies used at a reasonable price, life was great again.  Mostly been using Blue Dot with Zero .356" JHP's for the 38Super.
357 SIG
ZERO 121.0 gr JHP Dia. 0.356"
Blue Dot   11.0 gr
Winchester WSP primer
COAL 1.1350"
Velocity    1390 fps 3.78" bbl Glock 29 LWD

[EdMc]

Diameter is 0.356? Is that loading compressed with the Zero bullet?

[The_Shadow]

It is probably just slightly compressed, as Alliant shows the 11.0 as compressed with the 125gr. GD.
I have some cast bullets loaded I need to test out when I get a chance.

[Yondering]

Shadow, do you have any factory Glock 357 Sig barrels, or are they all aftermarket? My Glock 9mm barrel is a .357" bore; I'm curious if the 357 Sig barrels are too.

Have you tried the .357" Montana Gold 125gr hollow point in the 357 Sig? I like that one a lot better than their 9mm TC hollow point in my G19.

[The_Shadow]

No factry barrels, ony the Lone Wolf Dist. for the G-29, I'm still waiting on my 357Sig barrels to be made for my S&W 1006 5" and the 1076 4.25"...This has been a long wait but BM1 has started on them.

[EdMc]

Have you loaded any other powder than BD? My use of Blue Dot in 10mm was very disappointing.

[The_Shadow]

Blue Dot only works the best with full loads for the best burn...I want to test some IMR800X in the 357Sig and the 9x25Dillons, maybe som LongShot too!

[Danimal]

As mentioned on Pete's page AA#9 is the most consistent and safe powders for the 357sig. However, I find it pretty boring.

GI Brass is usually a great source of once fired 357sig brass. He's out at the moment though. Southern Belle Brass is another good one too. They are both cheap enough that I don't cry about losing my brass at the range like I do with 10mm.

[EdMc]

You like another powder better than AA#9? Got some new Starline and some 125 Gold Dots should be in next week.

[The_Shadow]

Most people were using the AA#9 in the effort to reduce bullet set back because it fills the space inside the case.

[EdMc]

Thanks, I'd read that AA#9 filled the case, etc. Plan on trying N-350 and also have some Longshot. I can get 800X locally......probably should have tried it in 10mm as I use a single stage press and weigh each charge anyway. A Lyman manual I have shows it generating less pressure vs. velocity than other powders tested.

[denclaste]

I found that the Lee dies were useless. The seater wouldnt seat 124XTP straight; the stem tilted them enought to ruin cases. Ordered a Redding set and life is good. I do have to flare the mouth a touch (about .002) on my used S&B brass and crimp just the very edge of the mouth. Since I have done this I've loaded:
Nosler 125gr JHP
Hornady 124grXTP
Speer 357 Sig TMJ
AA #9 is so fine that it will actually bind up my old Lyman powder measure so I've switched to Longshot for loading up my new Starline brass.
I've had no problem with just crimpimg the very edge of the case mouth; no set back or set forward and I cant push the bullet back into the case by hand pressure.
Dennis

[The_Shadow]

Dennis, what LongShot loads have you worked with and what velocities did you achive if you measured them?