Sig P229 Caliber Choice Based On Reloading

[emptybrass]

I'm looking at purchasing a new handgun in the future and the P229 is near the top of my list. I am less than a year into reloading so I could use a little "availability" help. I reload .380 ACP, .45 ACP and >223/5.56 currently. Looking at the three calibers available for the P229, 9MM, .40 S&W and 357 SIG, which has more components (other than primers and powder) fairly available for reloading?

Also, what are the differences between .357 Mag and .357 SIG?

 

[JO JO]

shot the p229 r dak 40 alot very nice shooter and 100% reliable for me

 

[rcmodel]

.357 Magnum Revolver cartridge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.357_Magnum

.357 SIG auto pistol cartridge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.357_SIG

rc

 

[Blue68f100]

If you want to have a 3 caliber gun. Go with the 40 or 357sig. With those 2 you just swap in a barrel. For the 9mm you will need a conversion barrel. Which may or maynot need the 9mm RS.

The 229 9mm has a different size slide and receiver and can not be converted up. My 229 is the 9mm Poor Boy Elite model, around 6 yrs old now.

 

[Wildbillz]

I think that between 9mm and 40S&W its a tie. Both of there components are pretty easy to come by. 9mm might be a little cheaper. Now if you were considering factory ammo? Right now I would give the edge to the 40, as I see more of it on the shelf.

Primers and powder would be pretty much the same for all three cartridges. I think the 357Sig may even use a 9mm type bullet (not sure as I have never reloaded any of them). Case wise the 9mm and 40 are abundant.

The 357Sig I have never seen a lot of. Component or factory ammo. But then I have not been looking for it all that much either.

WB

 

[kutter]

With the exception of the brass, 9mm components are 357 SIG components and vice versa. Components for all 3 calibers are available, you just need to keep an eye out and buy when available.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Looking at the three calibers available for the P229, 9MM, .40 S&W and 357 SIG, which has more components (other than primers and powder) fairly available for reloading?

Like said above, the 9mm and 40 S&W components are equal availability. I think the .357 Sig brass is hardest to find in both new and once fired. As you can see from rc's Post #3 the .357 Mag and .357 Sig are very different...

 

[420Stainless]

Mine's a .40 and I haven't had any problems finding brass or bullets. They aren't as cheap as 9mm, but seem to be equally available. They actually seemed more available in the depth of the shortage. Not sure why, but I'd guess that the .40 is not anywhere near as popular among civilians.

If you can find brass, the .357 SIG may offer a different advantage distinctly for the handloader. I've noticed quite a few attractively priced used pistols in that cartridge lately. Don't know the reason for sure, but I'm guessing that non-reloaders (perhaps including police departments) might not like the price or availability of factory loaded ammo. I've been mighty tempted lately, but short on funds.

 

[brutus51]

^^ What Blue said.
The 357 Sig is a Shouldered cartridge case and as a result requires the same reloading procedure as a rifle. There are no carbide sizing dies so lubing cases will be required unlike straight walled cases. To much mess and fuss for me.
The .357's big advantage over 9mm. is the larger case capacity which, in my opinion, produces better accuracy and of course higher velocity. Plus shouldered cases are known for super reliable feeding in semi autos.

 

[rg1]

Depends also on what you intend to do with it. If all you plan to do is plink and shoot targets at the range then 9MM components are a little less expensive. For carry and self defense I'd choose the 40 SW but the 9MM would do fine too. Seems most police departments and agency's carry 40's. Like mentioned if you want to try .357Sig all it takes is a barrel swap. .357 Sig brass can be scarce and quite expensive and it uses special 9MM bullets and not .38/357 mag bullets. I'd try to find a friend or range rental to test and see which you prefer in either 9MM or 40SW before taking the plunge. Both 9MM and 40SW are pleasant and soft shooting with mild to mid range target loads and quite snappy with full powered +P factory loads.

 

[brutus51]

RG1
Just out of curiosity what's special about 357 Sig bullets?
I know they are 9mm and not .357's and I recall hearing something about a short seating depth, can you please elaborate?

 

[Nighthawk0083]

I currently reload for my 9mm 229. When I bought the gun I also bought the 40 s&w conversion slide for my 229 and when I received it the the 40 mag wouldnt fit. I called Sig and apparently my 229 is a 9mm only frame ***. So I would suggest to you that you get the 40 s&w or 357 sig. Then to do all three calibers is would be one barrel conversion either 40 s&w or 357 sig and a Caliber X change kit for the 9mm. Now I have to buy another 229 in 40 oh well I just have to get my girlfriend to be ok with it haha.

 

[Rodentman]

The shape of the .357 sig bullet is different than bullets for the 9mm due to the relatively limited neck area. There is a longer area of the bullet before the ogive of the bullet, where the diameter decreases. I personally have had trouble with bullet setback in .357 sig and find it rather a pain to reload.

 

[Bovice]

Get the .40, the P229 is one of the best platforms for it. Reloading components are tied between 9 and .40 for availability. 357 SIG is a little trickier because only flat nose 9mm bullets will work. 9mm Luger can use flat or round.

 

[JimKirk]

I have been reloading the 357 SIG(Model 31 Glock) for a while now ... my favorite bullet is the Hornady 124 gr XTP ...I have also used the 125 gr Speer Gold Dot, the Sierra Sports Master 125 gr JHP, the Montana Gold 124 gr JHP (looks like a twin of the XTP)... never had any problems load for the cartridge ... this is the one "use" I have for Hornady One Shot.... spray a shot or two in a ziplock bag and roll the brass around ... pour them out and let dry for a few .... run them through a Redding GPRx 40 S&W die and then through the 357 SIG RCBS sizing die ... load them as any other ...

 

[Grumulkin]

Well, at the height of the recent reloading scare, I was able to get 40 S&W dies, bullets and brass at reasonable prices. I don't think you could say that about the 9mm Luger or 357 Sig.

The 40 S&W is the current darling of law enforcement so for some time to come components will be economical and available.

 

[amlevin]

If you want something economical to shoot and easy to reload, go with 9mm. If you want to be able to shoot something "bigger" then buy a .40 S&W and add a conversion 9mm barrel.

.357 Sig has some impressive "stat's" but it's a PITA to reload for. The case is essentially a 40 or 10mm but the bullet's a "9" so you have a neck to deal with. As with any "necked" case annealing is necessary if you want to avoid case neck splits and annealing a pistol case is a

 

[kutter]

Everyone is making relaoding 357 SIG sound like a nightmare, in reality it is easy, I started with it and .223, so for a long time all I knew were bottleneck cases.

Do you have to lube, in a word, no, you can use a .40 S&W resize die to size and deprime, then a 357 SIG die to neck size and prime. I initially did not do this, then I tried it out and I have since gone back to One Shot and the 357 SIG one die, a little spray is not a big deal to me and it reduces the number of pulls.

Only thing special about the bullet is that you cannot use a round nose, have to use a flat point, I use Berry's HBFP in .356 for plinking rounds and use Golden Sabers for my SDF. I use Accurate #9 because it gives me a full case and eliminates any chance of bullet setback, which if you do not pay attention to neck tension, can be an issue.

 

[TfflHndn]

I think you'll find that the .357SIG is a hoot to shoot from the P229, particularly compared to the .357 mag from a smaller or lighter revolver. The 229 has enough mass to make the recoil very comfortable. And you have more than 6 shots. The necked case means zero failures to feed. You do need to be aware of the more limited selection of bullets, not all 9mm profiles will work. I use Montana Gold and they work great. I also have the 40 and 9mm barrels, and change-out is very easy. Great platform.