357 SIG....

[cwlongshot]

Well couple months back I happened upon a "deal" on a barrel and magazines for my G27. The barrel is NOT marked for anything but caliber and "CL". I grabbed it, wishing it was a G23 so I could try in both sized guns.






Any one know who makes it??

Then, about a week later as if on que...a friend out in Indiana txted me with a "deal" on a KKM G23 conversion barrel to another 357 SIG. This one also came with two mags for 100$.

I did allot of reading up, I knew I had a half a bucket of brass already, so I ordered a set of RCBS dies and grabbed two boxes of Nosler 115 and one box of 125 HP's @ Cabelas.

That reading found me looking at S&W Shield40 conversion barrels in 357 SIG...so I bought one of those.

I learned that things got all fouled up with people trying to head space of the mouth... Then I learned RCBS forgot how to cut a set of 357 SIG dies... I had to grind my shell holder quite a bit to get the dies to move the shoulder back to specs. So after some 50-60 pieces loaded I could actually shoot some...

WOW, some surprising high velocities!!

SPEER brass has tiny flash holes that pull the de-prime out of the stem after about 10-15 pcs... quite aggravating. Rem and Federal brass is perfect.

The SHIELD is nicest to shoot! It throws the brass into the next COUNTY! The next best is the G23 both are quite accurate. The G27 is least comfortable and least accurate, probably allot because you dont get a good purchase on it. I installed a grip sleeve and G23 mag and it shoots just as well as the G@# itself...so its mostly that small grip.


The shield barrel has problems... I had to modify two mage to make it feed AT ALL, no big deal as they are still fine for the 40. But why??  Then the barrel refuses to feed with full loaded mag... If I load 4 rounds it runs like a rapped ape...5...nope it noses int the feed ramp solidly.

Any one else had issue with dies like I have?

CW

[The_Shadow]

May be Glock 23/32 National Match conversion barrel by Olympic Arms.
Caliber: 357 SigNM
Rifling: Broach-cut National Match
Material: 416 SS Bar-stock
not CL but GL for Glock

[cwlongshot]

thanks!

Ill see what I can learn about Olympic barrels....

What about the die issues?  Anyone have issue there as I did?

CW

[Plunker]

I have found many 'small' flash holes' in 357 sig brass, and have bent several de-primer pins! yes, very aggravating! I started de-priming all brass I buy first with a universal de=primer. Stronger pins! Then - Do like most, after de-priming, drill out the hole! Find a drill bit that fits any other larger flash hole, just don't go too large! Next time with this brass it will be easy. In the different forums you will much reloading talk on the 357 sig. Much useful advise.

Most of my reloads I keep in the 500 ft lb range, 124/5 gr at 1300-1450 fps. Feel this is the normal range for most commercial non-'hot' loads. I have gotten up to 1500 fps, and even though the ES & SD were good, felt it was more then needed. A heavier spring may help (didn't have one at the time, do now)

As far as the shell holder issue, I just use 40 shell holders, all makes, no mods to any of them!

[The_Shadow]

I deprime by hand with a pin I made that is smaller then drill the 357Sig brass to standard size flash holes...Mostly CCI and Speer but a few other makes!   

[cwlongshot]

Well I solved the problems... I sold the gun AND THAT BARREL!

the KKM I have for the 23 is perfect and shoots very well!

I have surpassed 1500 with a 124 and I agree, not needed I throttled back to 1460 and it shoots just as well.



CW

[The_Shadow]

CW, was that 124 FMJ or JHP?

[cwlongshot]

124g Hornady XTP.  Same load with a Sierra 125 JHP yielded 1460 fps. All .355 bullets and Blue Dot Powder.

CW