9mm, .380, & .357Sig

[CMV]

Of the 3 only loading 9mm right now, but .380 & .357Sig are next. Since they're all about the same diameter, can I use the same projectiles for more than one caliber with any of them? If so, would there be a good reason to? I'm thinking it would be nice for simplification, but if the end result would be mediocre at best, no sense in it. Looks like all three can do something in the 100 gr neighborhood, but that doesn't sound like a good weight for any of them.

 

[Walkalong]

9MM and .357 Sig can use the same bullets, assuming you pick one with a long full diameter shank suited for .357 Sig. You are really better off using a lighter bullet for .380, and at least a 115 for 9MM/.357 Sig. Not that it cannot be done, but no sense boxing your self in. The old Remington 88 Gr JHP was a bullet that could be used in .380 and 9MM, although very light for 9MM.

 

[Samari Jack]

My nines are not fond of 100 GR bullets I use for .380 even though reloading data is available. My Glock was OK but others were not reliable. Seemed at bit on the light side. I don't trust them to cycle reliably.

 

[beatledog7]

Most reloaders I've encountered in person and online don't load anything lighter than 115gr in 9mm. Makes sense. I load mostly 124gr myself.

 

[J_McLeod]

I've had good results and a lot of fun loading 95gr bullet in my 9mm with HS-6. haven't tried 115gr in the .380 yet. I should do that, since my wife wants a low recoil load and doesn't like the 95s.

 

[Cherokee]

380 uses lighter bullets than 9mm or 357 sig. I've used a 109 gr cast FN bullets in both, works great in 380, not so good in 9mm. My best 380 bullet is Speer 88 JHP, then the 109 cast FN. I don't go lower than 115 gr in 9mm. 357 Sig looks like it might be hard to reload with the short neck, but I have no experience with it, I use Super 38's.

 

[kingmt]

Depends on the 380. The TCP has no support in front of the web. I have yet to find a load for 115gr that doesn't bulge the case.

Most 9s shoot 125gr.

 

[CMV]

Ok - so the .380 has to have its own.

What are good choices for the 9mm & .357 SIG to share? Right now all I have are 115gr Hornady FMJ & 147 gr Hornady XTP. All the factory stuff I have for .357SIG has a flat nosed profile. Do I need that shape?

I've only used 115 & 147 gr in 9mm both factory & my loads. For the .357SIG all I've used is 125 & 149 gr factory loads. I like the 115 gr as a target load in my 9mm and the 3 firearms I have in 9mm seem to like it just fine - but they have no issues with 147 gr either so I'd assume good results with 124 gr as well.

I'm also thinking of switching to a plated bullet to lower costs. Can plated stuff handle .357SIG velocities?

 

[Dr_B]

I load lots of 95gr .380 bullets in my 9mm casings. The only time I had a problem was when I tried them in a Rock Island 1911 in 9mm and it didn't like the shorter cartridge lengths. They work fine in my Sigs.

 

[kutter]

I was going to put all this info in, but instead I will gie you this:

http://www.handguninfo.com/Archive/www.Pete-357.com/

He has done pretty extensive testing on the 357 Sig, Walkalong and Snuffy on here also know a lot about it.

I load for it without problems, but I use FP or HP bullets and AA#9, just for extra protection.

As for plated bullets, I shoot them up to around 1250fps in my Sig 226 without problems. I can't say what it is like if you try to max out a plated bullet. I doubt whatever you hit at 1250 could tell the difference at 1400.

 

[Clark]

I handload all three.

The 380 handloaded hot can make way more recoil than any normal semi auto can handle.

But a lot of the 380s made have light slides and poor chambers support.

The 9mms, almost all have great chamber support.

There is no reason I can see for a handloader to do 357 Sig.

I could get twice the power the 357 Sig slide mass could handle with either the 380 or the 9mm.

And why neck down a pistol cartridge?
If only it were possible to neck them up...
We want bigger holes at close range, not smaller ones.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

What are good choices for the 9mm & .357 SIG to share? Right now all I have are 115gr Hornady FMJ & 147 gr Hornady XTP. All the factory stuff I have for .357SIG has a flat nosed profile. Do I need that shape?

I've only used 115 & 147 gr in 9mm both factory & my loads. For the .357SIG all I've used is 125 & 149 gr factory loads. I like the 115 gr as a target load in my 9mm and the 3 firearms I have in 9mm seem to like it just fine - but they have no issues with 147 gr either so I'd assume good results with 124 gr as well.

I'm also thinking of switching to a plated bullet to lower costs. Can plated stuff handle .357SIG velocities?

Actually, the 357 Sig is harder on bullets than the 9mm. Speer sells a 124gr Gold dot bullet for the 9mm and a 125gr GD bullet for the .357 Sig. Not only is the SIG bullet tougher it also has a slightly different profile than the 9mm bullet. They also sell several different TMJ bullets for each.

 

[cfullgraf]

Ok - so the .380 has to have its own.

What are good choices for the 9mm & .357 SIG to share? Right now all I have are 115gr Hornady FMJ & 147 gr Hornady XTP. All the factory stuff I have for .357SIG has a flat nosed profile. Do I need that shape?

Any bullet of the correct diameter could be used in either the 9x19 or the 357 SIG.

With typical 9x19 round nose bullets in the 357 SIG, the bullet is seated too deep in the case where the bullet begins to taper inside the case. With the short neck of the 357 SIG, this limits neck tension.

357 SIG bullets tend to be truncated cones. The full diameter of the bullet is longer and the "nose" shorter than the round nose. It allows the use of the full 357 SIG case neck for neck tension.

Truncated cones can be used well in the 9x19.

The seating depth needs to be adjusted in the 9x19 so that the handgun functions properly.

So, look for bullets designed for the 357 SIG and work up loads for your 9x19 and things should be good.

 

[twice barrel]

No trouble handloading the SIG here. But use bullets with a profile friendly to a short case neck. (Only those specifically marked as suitable for the 357 Sig)