handloading .357sig - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

mtaylor · 09-01-2007, 09:39 PM

I was wondering if anyone had any information on handloads for .357sig. I'm trying to get into handloading and I was wondering what bullet people suggest for practice shooting and any load information?

SteveW1958 · 09-01-2007, 10:27 PM

I use a 124 or 125 gn TFP over 10 gn AA#7. Runs great. Off the top of my head I believe I get around 1200+ fps out of a 4 1/2 barrel. Be careful when you flare the case mouth if you go too far you will have a hard time getting good retention. I go just a thousandth or 2. 357 SIG as it is a necked down case would not be the round I would recommend learning on. Due to the short neck, setback can happen very easily and can be very dangerous. You must verify that the bullet will not setback as the round is chambered. with that said it can be done safely and much less expensive then purchasing loaded ammo. Learn on a straight wall case round then move up to the sig round after you are confident you know what your doing.

fredj338 · 09-02-2007, 01:21 AM

I'll agree w/ Steve, the 375sig is not a good beginners round. It can be done, but it's best learned first hand from someone that is actually loading for it. You need proper dies, I've heard mixed things about RCBS & LEE. I use Dillon carbide dies in a 550B & they make perfect ammo w/ little extra effort. You MUST use a TC (truncated cone or flat point) style bullet. Round nose (RN) style JHP or FMJ may cause bullet setback, very bad thing. This can cause serious pressure problems.
I have loaded 125gr Speer GD, 124grFP from Ranier & Berry's, 124gr & 147grXTP, 125gr Sierra JHC & any 88gr-100gr 380 bullet, even 124gr cast lead TC. Powders from Unique & Universal to the slower powders like BlueDot, AA#7, HS7, PowerPistol & Longshot work best. For max. vel.stick w. the slower powders. Here is a good web page w. some MAX. loads. http://www.realguns.com/loads/357sig.htm Check the powder web sites for add'l. load info. I use 7.3gr of Unique under a 124gr Ranier or Berry's for plinking loads about 1275fps. For max. effort loads, 9.8gr of BlueDot under any 124gr-125grJHP gives a bit over 1200fps froma 4"bbl. w/ good accuracy.

mtaylor · 09-02-2007, 04:11 AM

I understand that starting with straightwalled shells is safer but the .357 is the only thing I shoot.

fredj338 · 09-02-2007, 01:36 PM

It's not a problem, it will just take more fussing w/ the dies & bullets to get good safe, reliable ammo. You can e-mail me if you need specifics.

SteveW1958 · 09-02-2007, 04:40 PM

I too use a 550 with the Dillon carbide dies. A quick spray of one shot helps but if you clean the cases good it is not necessary. Just take your time with this one and start out with min loads. As fredj338 mentioned drop a line if you need more info.
Good Luck

09-01-2007, 09:39 PM	#1
mtaylor XDTalk Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 30	handloading .357sig I was wondering if anyone had any information on handloads for .357sig. I'm trying to get into handloading and I was wondering what bullet people suggest for practice shooting and any load information?

09-01-2007, 10:27 PM	#2
SteveW1958 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: SW PA Posts: 410	I use a 124 or 125 gn TFP over 10 gn AA#7. Runs great. Off the top of my head I believe I get around 1200+ fps out of a 4 1/2 barrel. Be careful when you flare the case mouth if you go too far you will have a hard time getting good retention. I go just a thousandth or 2. 357 SIG as it is a necked down case would not be the round I would recommend learning on. Due to the short neck, setback can happen very easily and can be very dangerous. You must verify that the bullet will not setback as the round is chambered. with that said it can be done safely and much less expensive then purchasing loaded ammo. Learn on a straight wall case round then move up to the sig round after you are confident you know what your doing. Last edited by SteveW1958; 09-01-2007 at 10:33 PM.

09-02-2007, 01:21 AM	#3
fredj338 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,448	I'll agree w/ Steve, the 375sig is not a good beginners round. It can be done, but it's best learned first hand from someone that is actually loading for it. You need proper dies, I've heard mixed things about RCBS & LEE. I use Dillon carbide dies in a 550B & they make perfect ammo w/ little extra effort. You MUST use a TC (truncated cone or flat point) style bullet. Round nose (RN) style JHP or FMJ may cause bullet setback, very bad thing. This can cause serious pressure problems. I have loaded 125gr Speer GD, 124grFP from Ranier & Berry's, 124gr & 147grXTP, 125gr Sierra JHC & any 88gr-100gr 380 bullet, even 124gr cast lead TC. Powders from Unique & Universal to the slower powders like BlueDot, AA#7, HS7, PowerPistol & Longshot work best. For max. vel.stick w. the slower powders. Here is a good web page w. some MAX. loads. http://www.realguns.com/loads/357sig.htm Check the powder web sites for add'l. load info. I use 7.3gr of Unique under a 124gr Ranier or Berry's for plinking loads about 1275fps. For max. effort loads, 9.8gr of BlueDot under any 124gr-125grJHP gives a bit over 1200fps froma 4"bbl. w/ good accuracy. Last edited by fredj338; 09-02-2007 at 01:25 AM.

09-02-2007, 04:11 AM	#4
mtaylor XDTalk Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 30	I understand that starting with straightwalled shells is safer but the .357 is the only thing I shoot. Last edited by mtaylor; 09-02-2007 at 04:15 AM.

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09-02-2007, 01:36 PM	#5
fredj338 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,448	It's not a problem, it will just take more fussing w/ the dies & bullets to get good safe, reliable ammo. You can e-mail me if you need specifics.

09-02-2007, 04:40 PM	#6
SteveW1958 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: SW PA Posts: 410	I too use a 550 with the Dillon carbide dies. A quick spray of one shot helps but if you clean the cases good it is not necessary. Just take your time with this one and start out with min loads. As fredj338 mentioned drop a line if you need more info. Good Luck