[Shrike360]

Hi all. I'm looking at a used Sig in the CDNN catalog. Unfortunately, I do not know if they have the .40 S&W option. So just in case, I'd like to know some good places to get some cheap .357 Sig ammo. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

[10-Ring]

You know, I've never known 357 sig & cheap ammo go together :scrutiny: Good luck, I hope someone comes up w/ a source for ya ;)

[Shrike360]

Yeah, but as a backup, I'm also looking at a 9mm barrel to go along with it for cheap shooting. With Sigs, to change your guns caliber, is all you have to do is change your barrel and magazine? Since some guns require completely changing out the barrel, slide, guide rod, and spring, along with the magazine.

[Rev Rob]

S&B is probably the best ammo for the best price at just over $13 for 50rds.

http://ammunitionstore.com/

[Edmond]

I've never known 357 sig & cheap ammo go together

I have not either and that's the main reason why I haven't jumped on this cartridge yet.

[kirkcdl]

I just got 1000 rds from Precision Cartridge for just under $200 shipped from Indiana to Oregon.It seems to be a good,stout loading,and I plan on buying more next week...Just so you know what kind of prices you'll be looking at should you decide to go for it...:D

[outofbattery]

My local shop has had gov't over-run Speer Lawman frangible for $11/50 several times.When they do,I try to grab as much as I can carry.

[AK103K]

Ammoman has it for $129/500 and $229/1000 delivered. Its not as cheap as some, but I've never considered it "expensive". Buying factory by the case, its about $1-2 a box more than 9mm.(excluding Wolf)

[Harley Quinn]

Are those that shoot it happy with the results? Is it the round that is going to make you quit the others? I am thinking of getting a barrel to put in my mdl 22 about a 6" or more???

Any thoughts on this idea. I shoot 6" 17L and a 6.5" 40 cal seem to be very accurate. I am interested in the 357 sig, because I have so many .355 bullets for my nine that I probably will not load.

Are primed cases available and if so where. Large pistol primer or small?
Thanks,

HQ:uhoh:

[BrainOnSigs]

Georgia Arms "Canned Heat" is good stuff.

$100 (plus shipping) for 500 rounds, $190 (plus shipping) for 1000.

Orders over $500 get free shipping.

http://www.georgia-arms.com/canned_heat.htm

[AK103K]

Harley,

I carried a Colt Commander in .45 for about 30 years and switched to the 357SIG about a year ago. I havent been disappointed. Its very easy to shoot well with, and has been very accurate in my SIG's. I dont notice any of the usual complaints by the nay sayers about flash or noise, and its been my experience that practice ammo costs are only about $2 more a box if you buy factory ammo in bulk. The power level of the practice ammo is the same as your carry ammo. Carry ammo is about the same or even cheaper than the +P or +P+ 9mm.

I just started loading for the round and it cost me about $9 for a box of 50. Almost not worth the effort for $2.50 more a box for factory Speer or Federal. If you want to use your 9mm bullets, it will depend on the bullet shape. The 357SIG uses a flat point bullet. According to some of what I've read in manuals, the normal 9mm FMJ profile causes problems with OAL and seating/case neck tension. Most HP's probably wouldnt be a problem. I had no troubles at all using the flat point bullet. With a proper crimp, the bullets stay tight and there is no bullet set back. The case uses a small pistol primer. If you get an extra .40S&W carbide sizing die, and run the cases through it first, you dont need to lube the cases.

[TexasRifleman]

I bought some of the bulk junk they sell at Cabelas, and it was just that.

Junk. Not sure what brand it is but I won't buy any more.
It's the stuff that comes in the green plastic ammo cans.

[Glockensig]

In addition to those listed above,
http://www.accuswage.com/
&
http://www.cccammo.com/

I have just about given up on everything but the 357 sig. I have 9mm's but I find myself shooting them less and less. I have a 40 barrel but never use it any more.
Nothing is as accurate and just plain fun to shoot as the Sig!!

[Cousin Mike]

The .357 Sig is a tie with .45ACP for my favorite round. I became infatuated with the round sometime last year, and decided I had to have one. I bought a Sig Pro in .357, and I later bought a .40 barrel for it as well. My .40 barrel is just sitting in the box it came in, lonely and collecting dust. Not the best $230 investment I ever made. :rolleyes:

The thing is, .357 Sig is just too fun to shoot. Shooting the .40 can start to feel like work after 100 rounds or so. I own a few guns, all in different calibers - and the .357 Sig always goes to the range with me. It's also my carry gun of choice. It's also very accurate for me, and easy to shoot.

Ammo is not that expensive. You'll pay a lot more for .357 Magnum, but no one seems to think you should stay away from that round because of price. :rolleyes: Paying $13/50 rounds locally, I can't really find a reason to complain - considering that I'd pay $20 for that same box of ammunition in .357 Magnum. I've also started looking at bulk ammo recently, and havent noticed .357 Sig to be noticeably more expensive than anything else.

The more I think about it, I've noticed a lot of people will say silly things about the .357 Sig, like:

".357Sig is too noisy and flashy... If I were you, I'd just go with a .357 Magnum."

:cool:

Flash and bang are nothing compared to .357 Magnum, yet it still gives a very solid performance. My girlfriend loves to shoot .357 Sig - she's scared to death of .357 Magnum... fired mine once and it really kicked her butt. People who don't own a .357 Sig pistol are always saying why they'd never buy one, why they don't like the cartridge, etc. A lot of the things they say, like the sample quote above, make no sense at all... And the more you ask about .357 Sig, the more you'll hear that kind of stuff.

But I have yet to hear anything negative from someone who actually owns a gun chambered in .357 Sig. Feel free to draw your own conclusions on why that may be. :D

[Harley Quinn]

Sounds like I will continue on my quest and get the barrel.
I'll be careful with the reloading and probably will not start off that way.

Since posting last night I hit google, and printed out some stuff, all good information. I have not read any thing that is going to slow me down. Fell asleep with 357 Sig, twinkling in my head:D

Thanks all, for the information.

AK103K, thanks for the reloading tips. I'll let you know how it goes.
Before the big read of last night I was thinking of using 40/10mm cases, but not after all the info I came across. Thanks again:)

HQ:)

[riverrat27]

See if you can pick up some of the Speer Lawman training ammo local. I bought some @ $159.99/1000 rounds.
http://kyimports.com/ammo.htm

[AK103K]

Thats a good price, how bad do they hit you for shipping?

I also notice they HAD Santa Barbara .308. Thats some of the best .308 surplus I've ever had. I bought a bunch of the same vintage back in the early 90's and still have about a case and a half left. Sure would like to get some more.

[Harley Quinn]

100 grain Lawman. Any good:uhoh:

I have not been exposed to this ammo and it sounds light weight. Might shoot ok but??? Guess it will give me some brass. I would rather go with brass primed or not, and then load my own. I have 1600 bullets I can slam down range. Lead or copper:confused:

HQ:)

[erict]

I just traded my Glock 32 in 357Sig and I miss it already. I got one heck of a trade that I couldn't pass up because a guy was moving and traded me 3 guns for one and a little money so he had less to haul.

357Sig is a blast to shoot (pun intended). It does have a more noticeable bang and flash but it's nothing that interrupts the way I shoot. As a matter of fact it's easier for me to shoot since the recoil pushed straight back on my hand and didn't flip up like my Glock 27 does (it's .40cal).

I would definitely buy another one if I caught a good deal on it.

[Harley Quinn]

Looking forward to shooting it next week-end if all goes well.

HQ:)

[woo18]

dont forget www.natchezss.com

[gudel]

Anything with Sig on it, is not going to be cheap. I've used Speer Lawman for this, as they seem to be the ONLY ones available locally.

[antsi]

Another vote for Georgia arms "canned heat." Before I started reloading, I used a good amount of this stuff. Very affordable quality range ammo.

Reloading - I use 9mm JHP's, 147 grain. The cheapo bulk Remington bullets with the dome-shaped base work fine. With AA#9 you get a compressed load, so this eliminates worries about set back.

[spd2230]

We shot up a bunch of the Speer frangible at our in-service last fall. That stuff is DIRTY! Just so you know...

[AK103K]

Thanks for the heads up.

[Harley Quinn]

Please go on with your story as in # of grains and all the stuff that is important. Which design of bullet, teasers are no good I need meat with my burger. 147 grain and what else? Primer, make of case, make of bullet make and powder in grains. I would appreciate it.
Any one shooting lead. Little fast for the lead bullets but who knows what the nose knows, speak beak.
To crimp or not to crimp since it head spaces on the shoulder you can crimp and increase the pressure, how high? (How high is the pressure momma, 600 pounds and rising!).
:uhoh: HQ

[AK103K]

I believe it headspaces on the case mouth, not the shoulder, at least thats what the manuals I've read state.

I myself would not use lead. Unless you have a good recipe for hard cast and gas checked. Leaded barrels are a pain in the butt. :)

[Harley Quinn]

That will be an interesting situation a shouldered item on the mouth case, that makes it pretty unusual. Makes that area very critcal in MHO...

I'll definitly verify and play with it to find out the very best of what to do.
They were mentioning the 40 resized to the 357 brings the casing up short about .020 It is funny they use a .020 and then add a " which we know is a inch sign.

I am just curious in the land of Europe how would you be showing it, in " or metric?..

So would you be showing it as 5.09* in mm or ????

Boy my digital is sure touchy hope I am able to get it close enough so I am not going to go wierd.

Then they mention not to use the 10mm because it uses the large pistol primer. I have my work cut out for me.

I will just get some brass and go from there. But it does sound like it has all the makings, that reloading interests regarding the tech side. Just to slam 38's in to a 357 cylinder never trim and never worry is just to boring.:uhoh:

Edit for the correct application it is the shoulder it headspaces on, now that makes sense.
http://www.realguns.com/archives/001.htm

Lead in this caliber is not going to be a good thing I can see that, especially out of a 6" barrel.

I believe a 124 grain will be able to hit the 1500+ fps, with ease.

HQ:cool:

[AK103K]

Edit for the correct application it is the shoulder it headspaces on,...
I have a reloading book from Midway that is specific for the 357SIG caliber. It has reprints from the major reloading manuals, powder makers, and bullet makers. The following company's state in their "info" page that the 357SIG headspaces on the case mouth and not the shoulder, Nosler, Sierra, Speer, and Vihtavuori.

Thanks for posting the link on the shoulder headspace. I only got to scan it briefly, but I intend to look at it closer here in a bit.

A couple of the sites I read online also recommended keeping a close eye on case OAL if your shooting hot loads because of the bottle neck, and to trim as necessary. This is something I dont normally associate with pistol brass. I normally dont worry about trimming or case life with pistol ammo and shoot it until it fails. It usually lasts forever, so we will see here with the 357SIG.

One other thing I just encountered yesterday while sizing some brass. I shoot indoors on occasion and have to sweep up the brass from the floor, usually in a hurry. This requires you sort the brass before it goes into the tumbler, mostly so the smaller brass doesnt get bound up in the bigger brass, and to just keep things segregated. .45 is pretty easy to spot between the two, but .40 and 357SIG are a little tougher to spot the difference in a big pile. I use a .40 sizer first then finish with the 357SIG sizer so I dont have to lube the brass. While running the brass through the 357SIG sizer, I noticed a piece of .40 brass that I had missed in the sort process and the first sizing just as it was going up into the 357 die. It went right on up, without any hesitation or difference in feel, and came out a 357SIG case. When I miked it, it was in fact 0.020 short. I came across another later on and ran it through too, and it too was 0.020 short. I dont know how much of an issue this really is, but you may want to keep an eye out.

[Harley Quinn]

I am going to have to buy some reloading dies for this cartridge, I have not bought many dies of late, since I have been doing it for so long.
I have mis match, some lyman some, rcbs and an occasional lee.
What have you found as a preference since you are loading the 357 sig?

They mention you can not go for carbide because it is similar to the rifle dies and are pretty expensive if you could find one. What size of an expander would you recommend? Your thoughts on this problem, the bullets are going to be .356+ slight crimp, second step? I like to throw and then trickle to max or if I dont care then I will throw 3% under and see how that goes...
I like to be careful but not anal. I become anal when I am on the cusp. :what:

If the bottom of the bullet is not like this--u--. I no like this _ it is sometime a pain. Oh well, I'll get ur done You can sometimes bell with a bigger expander ball but...:banghead:

HQ:)

[AK103K]

Harley,

I have the same mish mash. :)

Lately, I've been buying the Hornady dies, for both rifle and pistol. They cost a little more, but I seem to get a better job with them. Thier seater die has a sleeve that centers the bullet just before is seats. Makes for a much easier and nicer job.

If you buy an extra .40S&W carbide sizer and run the brass through it first, you can then run the brass through the non carbide 357SIG sizer without lube. It works great, but it does add another step to the process. Then again, you loose the "clean the lube from the case" step.

I use the expander that came with the dies and just ever so bell the case. I also set a pretty good crimp. I've just started loading for it, and so far have only tried the Speer 125 grain Uni-Cor TMJ's.

For powder, I'm using AA#7. I was looking for #9, but no one had any around here. It appears that might be the one to use, but the #7 has been working fine so far. I throw the charges and randomly check 5 or so from the lot of 50. I dont bother trying to weigh each one for most pistol ammo. So far, the AA#7 meters very consistently and the thrown charges are almost always right on.

I'm not sure I understand your "If the bottom of the bullet is not like this--u--. " thing.

[antsi]

More details:
AA#9, 11.2 grains
Winchester small pistol primers
Bullets: Speer GDHP 147gr, Remington 147gr JHP (Midway has these in bulk and they are much less expensive than the Gold Dots).
I have used both these kind of bullets with no appreciable difference for range shooting.
Cases: Approximately 1/3 of my brass is Speer Lawman, 1/3 is S&B, and 1/3 is nickel plated Winchester. I have not noticed any appreciable difference in the brass for range shooting purposes.
My C.O.L. for these is 1.160. I believe this is right at max length or just a skoshe over but has not been a problem in my gun.
I use a very slight barely perceptible bell and a medium-firm crimp.

I do not have any way of measuring "how compressed" this load is. It is basically straight from the Accurate Arms reloading manual and is listed as a compressed load. I do not have any setback problems with this load.

[History Prof]

I dont notice any of the usual complaints by the nay sayers about flash or noise

I had never heard of 357SIG until I went shooting with my brother and his wife. Her favorite was her SIG. He and I were shooting .45ACP when I hear this incredibly LOUD cannon coming from my S-I-L. It was FUN! She let me shoot of a couple of magazines, and I decided I really liked that round.

When my brother passed away, she gave me his USP40. He had purchased a 357SIG barrel for it (was supposed to drop in, but needed fitting). He never sent it to the manufacturer for fitting, and just a few days ago, I finally got around to doing that. I can't wait until it comes back. Gotta find me some of that ammo!

[Harley Quinn]

I believe I will go with the hornady on this one and probably be very happy.

I should have used the capitol U it is clearer as to what the bottom/base of the bullets that I like, and usually are not going to be in the pistol. but are avaliable in the rifle boat tails.
The ones that are the biggets problem are gas checked dudes unless you have the bell there but not to much, tough on the case mouth apparantly there is no problem to necking down the 40"s and comin up short. No annealing needed? One step is nice.

I bought a bunch of 5.7 mm Johnson from an outfit (loaded) and wanted to reload and not start from scratch (pretty complicated or time consuming) if you start with the 30 carbine. They said they did not anneal.

All the cases split at the shoulder and were worthless. I had the chamber checked and replaced the barrel. (such a deal) Hammering with high pressure and causing the brass to flow should send the brass to the case mouth after a couple of shootings, then they will measure good :what: :neener:


History Prof, I am looking for this barrel to fit right in. If not I will be slightly irritated. It is going into a Glock. But it is my opinion it wil fit. HK will do the work??? So you teach. History I love it. Reading about "Tamerlane" right now, what a sweetheart. Fits into why we are where we are at, with the current problem. US and them. ;)

Antsi: if shooting the 124/5 maybe it would not be a compressed load?
or would you be adding a few more granuels???

Regards, HQ:)

[BRASSM]

You are not going to find inexpensive .357 SIG ammo unless you reload yourself. I just ran off a few hundred rounds of 90 JHP's with 6.7 gr of Bulleye they chronoed at about 1400. the most inexpensive was using 125gr hard cast lead [linotype metal] with 7.0 gr of Unique for about 1200 fps. Kills Prarrie Dogs dead. Reloading that bottlenecked case can be a pain in the rear, but it's worth it. The cast bullets disintegrate on steel plates, occasionally I've had jackets richocet back towards me. Yeah the .357 SIG puts out more of a blast then the 9mm but it is more of a blast to shoot. The only reason it is not my CCW is because it's bulkier then my Hi-Power. Also if I have to be mobile it's far easier to find 9mm ammo then .357 SIG ammo. Also resizing .40 S&W cases down to .357 is not a good idea unless you're prepared to ream the neck and anneal it. I don't think it's worth the risk.

[Harley Quinn]

I agree with you about the 9mm and the avaliability plus inexpensive.
But we all need to play and have extra toys that are fun.
The Hi CAP Mags are my way of thinking with the nato round in 9mm. pretty nasty little critter. HPs at the same speed are ok also.:uhoh:

17L or the 17 Glock, is my thoughts on the way to go for practice and getting training then go to the others and you will be in top form. I am going to get into this 357 Sig big time, (Mdl 22 Glock with a sig barrel or the 40 cal both 6.5 inchs), just won 500 cases on e-bay and bidding on 1500 more. :what:

I'll load um up and then sit back and have plenty when the time comes to need um. I'll have fun and then move on to something else.

I am not one to sit idel, I need new frontiers to go to, a new gun or bullet, to a new book to read or a building project. Or just woking out at the local Dojo. No moss on this stone.:D

HQ:cool:

[Harley Quinn]

They are only 85 grain and are very high velocity, they are designed to carry on airplanes and not go through the hull.:uhoh:

They say DEA approved. It will be interesting to see what they will do to various stuff. Made out of a very light material but they are bullets and I'll see how they shoot, and if they go where I want them to (aim). Going to be testing them as soon as I get that barrel.:D

Anyone else run in to these dudes, they are strickly for human consumtion.:rolleyes:
Guy at the gunshop mentioned I should get another 100 ft Per sec out of them because the barrel is 6.5"... Nice
HQ

[kirkcdl]

I had some of the 85gr frangible,and it would not fully cycle my USPc,MULTIPLE FTF in my Glock 32,but my Sig 239 ran it flawlessly.I only paid $100 shipped for 1000 rds,but due to the high number of malfunctions in my guns,I probably won't get any more.As I mentioned earlier in this thread,I got 1000rds of 125gr FMJ from Precision Cartridge in Indiana,I've shot about half of that already,and I ordered another 1000 today...:D

[Harley Quinn]

Thanks for the heads up it does make sense if you think much about it , Failure to cycle etc.. If I was going to carry them and had them in the gun always, I would make sure I had the spring to do the job. :scrutiny:
Might be one of those things where if you are going to shoot and carry them much for backup, you will have to have a different spring.

HQ:D

[Derby FALs]

You can usually get 40 SW barrels at http://www.topgunsupply.com/

Sometimes he has drop in 9mm barrels for cheaper shooting.

[Dollar An Hour]

:D

Awesome thread considering I just ordered a Sig P239 in .357 Sig today. Ammo prices really aren't as bad as people think when you go online and buy bulk. Cheapest local I've seen is $15.99/50 for WWB. :uhoh:

Everybody says the .357 is a hoot, I'm really looking forward to it. :evil:

[Harley Quinn]

That put's me up to 1500 brass in the last couple of days.

I believe from all my reading and owning shooters this will be a fun deal.
I am of the opinion the type of case you have here (bottleneck) you are going to get much more consistant loads and it will be much better for reloading. Some have mentioned they headspace on the case mouth, not
true.

So much misinformation out there you folks need to do your home work make a case that is correct then shorten the case mouth and it still works, because it is the shoulder doing the job. :uhoh:
Take one that has been shot a lot or make one out of a 10mm and have it extend to far and you will find out.
Be careful and have fun. If you use 10mm brass and cut it down the game is quite different because of large pistol primers and thickness of case, so be careful.:what:
I have quite a bit of 231 W powder so I will start with that. Unique would be good with large pistol primer in 10mm cases made up. IMHO.

If in doubt do a cast of the chamber and go from there. Brownell's sells the casting material. You can send the cast to the die maker and they will make sure you get what you need.

HQ:)