Convert to .357 Sig?

In my humble opinion, the likelihood of my having to shoot through a windshield in a case of s.d. would lie somewhere between infinitesimal and zero, but probably a lot closer to zero.

I don't believe that lightweight, super-high-velocity rounds are preferable for s.d. purposes. If I believed that to be the case, I'd be shooting .40 Supers, which are to .357 Sigs as Superman is to Democrats.

In my humble opinion, the likelihood of my having to shoot through a windshield in a case of s.d. would lie somewhere between infinitesimal and zero, but probably a lot closer to zero.

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I agree with that. And while light and fast isn't currently in style right now, they are a lot of fun to shoot steel plates at 100 yards with. I know, I know that's not a self defense category either. It's still a really neat cartridge though.

2zulu1 said:

I've thought about going the .357SIG route, but chose the .38 Super instead. The major advantages of the Super for handloaders are the ability to load select .357mag bullets at factory .357mag velocities, lower operating pressures, stronger casings, lower brass cost and very fast split times.

One of the biggest issues for the .357SIG are a number of bullets loaded for this potent caliber are designed for 9mm velocities. For instance, we know from feral goat culling that 124gr XTPs come apart in the high 1300s to low 1400s.

Gel numbers from Double Tap ammunition;

http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=336612

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The .357 Sig fits in guns that the .38 Super doesn't. Some people, including me, see that as an advantage. And second, why not just use the bullets designed for the .357 Sig that are commonly available and don't use the ones designed for the 9mm?

For what it's worth there is a guy who is loading the 158gr and 180gr XTP (.357 Mag bullets) in the 357 Sig, so you can load .357 Mag bullets in the 357 Sig.

hatt said:

The .357 Sig fits in guns that the .38 Super doesn't. Some people, including me, see that as an advantage. And second, why not just use the bullets designed for the .357 Sig that are commonly available and don't use the ones designed for the 9mm?

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Other than the 125gr GD and light Barnes bullets, what other bullets available to handloaders are designed for SIG velocities?

Also, many people with small hands don't have issues shooting 45auto frame pistols, plus, moonclipped .357mag revolvers can shoot the Super.

SDGlock23 said:

For what it's worth there is a guy who is loading the 158gr and 180gr XTP (.357 Mag bullets) in the 357 Sig, so you can load .357 Mag bullets in the 357 Sig.

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Really???

http://web.archive.org/web/20050125...chive/www.Pete-357.com/radical.357.bullet.htm

2zulu1 said:

Other than the 125gr GD and light Barnes bullets, what other bullets available to handloaders are designed for SIG velocities?

Also, many people with small hands don't have issues shooting 45auto frame pistols, plus, moonclipped .357mag revolvers can shoot the Super.

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147 GD, Hornady XTP, Sierra, etc. There are plenty of bullets out there if you look. The 125 GD is the last word on defensive bullets for the round. Really no need for anything else. If you're a heavier bullet guy get a .40. For target there are plenty of available bullets. This is really a non issue.

I have huge hands. Shooting a Desert Eagle is no problem. I'm not carrying around that hunk of metal. My Glock 32 is a similar size to my 2 inch Colt Lawman. Weight is no contest, capacity is no contest 14>6. Shooting .38 Supers with moonclips in the Colt isn't going to help it in those areas. And it's too pretty to carry.

Looks like just another bash fest for the SIG round. I don't understand why when people don't care for something they don't move along instead of having to constantly post of the round's shortcomings. Of course never pointing out the positives.

SDGlock23 said:

For what it's worth there is a guy who is loading the 158gr and 180gr XTP (.357 Mag bullets) in the 357 Sig, so you can load .357 Mag bullets in the 357 Sig.

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You CAN but this doesn't necessarily mean that you SHOULD. A .357 Magnum bullet that is at the small end of its tolerance range and a .357 SIG bore that is at the large end of its tolerance range should be compatible unless the bullet is super-hard, but anything else (especially the opposite pairing of a large bullet and tight bore) could raise the pressure significantly. In addition, issues with feeding may crop up on occasion.

If you want to use .357 Magnum bullets in .357 SIG cartridges for some reason, then for safety's sake you should resize the bullets. This is not an unusual procedure for cast bullets, which are just chunks of lead of a certain size and shape, and given the small difference it should work for jacketed bullets as well, but I have to wonder what effect, if any, it may have on the performance of premium hollow-points.

I much prefer the 357s over the 40sw.

Try inducing a limp-wrist jam with 357Sig in lightweight SD auto.


M

The main reason for converting is it is cheaper to shoot. I find 9mm bullets cheaper to buy than 40 cal bullets. Since the powder and primers are about the same, the 357 sig is cheaper to shoot than any 40.

I am a fan of 357 Sig, but a few months ago I got rid of my last 357 Sig chambered pistol.

My reason being is that ammo was getting too hard to find, and fmj practice ammo is ridiculous in price.

Typically, I can get 100 rounds of 9mm fmj for $26 where I live. A 50 round box of 357 Sig, when it could be found, was $29-$36 a box.

In 9mm, I carry the CorBon 115gr +p jhp round, which goes 1350 fps from a 4" barrel. The ME is 466 ftlbs. I can carry 16+1 of these rounds in my Springfield XD-9.

Long story short, while being a fan of the 357 Sig for a long time, I finally got rid of them and now only own semi autos chambered in either 9mm or .45, and that works for me.

Just reload. Your reasons for buying the 9mm's are exactly why the sig is so much fun to shoot. The power of a 40 with the costs to shoot of a cheap 9mm round. I can shoot my sig for less than 9mm commercial ammo.

I have a pair of G23s, and bought a 9mm conversion barrel and a .357Sig barrel. The .40 magazines work just fine with 9mm and the appropriate barrel, and squeeze in a couple extra rounds. Makes a versatile setup. I'm tempted to add one to my CCW permit, just to mess with the clerk. "It's a Glock 23, in .40/9mm/.357Sig". That will start a discussion....

hatt said:

147 GD, Hornady XTP, Sierra, etc. There are plenty of bullets out there if you look. The 125 GD is the last word on defensive bullets for the round. Really no need for anything else. If you're a heavier bullet guy get a .40. For target there are plenty of available bullets. This is really a non issue.

I have huge hands. Shooting a Desert Eagle is no problem. I'm not carrying around that hunk of metal. My Glock 32 is a similar size to my 2 inch Colt Lawman. Weight is no contest, capacity is no contest 14>6. Shooting .38 Supers with moonclips in the Colt isn't going to help it in those areas. And it's too pretty to carry.

Looks like just another bash fest for the SIG round. I don't understand why when people don't care for something they don't move along instead of having to constantly post of the round's shortcomings. Of course never pointing out the positives.

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There's quite a bit of misinformation you've posted here.

Sierra does not manufacture any bullet designed for the .357SIG velocities, only 9mm bullets. Since you posted that I'm a SIG basher, here's a portion of what Sierra published;

Unfortunately, the handloader's bullet selection for the SIG is extremely limited, for a number of reasons. We found no suitable loads with the 90gr JHC, with most combinations resulting in extremely erratic performance. Clearly, this is not a cartridge that handles light bullets very well. The cartridges OAL is also a limiting factor in bullet selection. The problem here is that the longer noses of the 115, 125, and 130 grain RN bullets result in a portion of the ogive being seated well below the case mouth. This in turn results in reduced neck tension, poor accuracy, and unreliable feeding.

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Only four of the 9mm bullets that Sierra makes are recommended for handloading;

In testing, we found the .357SIG to be flat shooting, hard hitting, accurate, and easy to control.

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Picked up 2 boxes of CCI Lawman .357 Sig FMJ (50 round boxes.)

$20 each, tax included.

I just shoot my 9mm Glock 26 for most practice (I reload) and now and then with the CCW gun, the Glock 33. I can live with $20 buck .357 Sig practice ammo that way.

Deaf

2zulu1 said:

There's quite a bit of misinformation you've posted here.

Sierra does not manufacture any bullet designed for the .357SIG velocities, only 9mm bullets. Since you posted that I'm a SIG basher, here's a portion of what Sierra published;



Only four of the 9mm bullets that Sierra makes are recommended for handloading;

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Well lets see here. From Sierra's website.

The 115 grain #8110 bullets were originally introduced in the hollow cavity (JHC) design in 1970, but the design was changed in 1983 to the current hollow point (JHP) to enhance feeding in semi-auto pistols. The exterior of JHP bullets is completely covered by jacket, including the nose radius, for total reliability. Sierra's Power Jacket with skives enhances expansion in varmints at handgun velocities. Pure lead is used for the core to give good penetration with excellent expansion. The 115 grain #8110 bullets brings it's excellent qualities to the larger 9mm cartridges, such as the 9mm Luger (9x19 mm), 9x21 mm, 357 Sig, and 38 Super. Additionally, many top handgunners use the 115 grain bullets for their accuracy and reliability in target competitions. These bullets are truly exceptional in all respects.

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Perhaps you should contact Sierra and tell them that bullet isn't suitable and have them correct their website.

Also. Please point out all the other misinformation my post contained.

I bought a Sig 226 in .40 cal and bought a 357Sig barrel at the same time. After putting the 357Sig barrel in it hasn't seen the .40 barrel since.

hatt said:

Well lets see here. From Sierra's website.

Perhaps you should contact Sierra and tell them that bullet isn't suitable and have them correct their website.

Also. Please point out all the other misinformation my post contained.

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There's no need for me to contact Sierra, your copy and paste of the 115gr JHP #8110 is the wrong bullet. The 115gr RN that has ogive issues when loaded in the SIG is #8115. Hopefully, most shooters understand the difference between FMJ and JHP bullets.

What handloading manuals do you use to load for the SIG?

As far as other misinformation that you've posted, the XTPs are 9mm bullet designs with handloading data for the SIG.

Speer makes two bullets designed for the SIG, the 147gr Gold Dot is not one of them, but there is SIG load data for the 147gr GD.

2zulu1 said:

There's no need for me to contact Sierra, your copy and paste of the 115gr JHP #8110 is the wrong bullet. The 115gr RN that has ogive issues when loaded in the SIG is #8115. Hopefully, most shooters understand the difference between FMJ and JHP bullets.

What handloading manuals do you use to load for the SIG?

As far as other misinformation that you've posted, the XTPs are 9mm bullet designs with handloading data for the SIG.

Speer makes two bullets designed for the SIG, the 147gr Gold Dot is not one of them, but there is SIG load data for the 147gr GD.

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LOL. I don't even know what you're talking about. First time I've ever heard the bullet that works is the wrong one and the one that doesn't work is the right one. The 357 SIG hate is strong with you and has lead to irrational posts.

Picked up some .357 Sig Ammo!

One gunshop had Winchester T series 125 gr. 50 round box for $38.

Other gunshop had CCI Lawman 125gr FMJ. I got 2 boxes for $40, tax included. Yes 20 bucks a box.

Same time got 2 525 round boxes of Remington Golden bullets and a 1400 round box of the same stuff 'bucket of bullets' they all it. $160 for all that.

Normally I use my practice Glock 26 9mm for most of my practice (and it has a AACK .22 unit to, hence the .22 Remington ammo.) Reloading makes it cheap to shoot.

But Saturday I went ahead and used my carry Glock 33 and a box of Winchester 125 gr FMJ since I now have plenty of practice and carry .357 Sig ammo.

Deaf

Deaf Smith said:

Picked up some .357 Sig Ammo!

One gunshop had Winchester T series 125 gr. 50 round box for $38.

Other gunshop had CCI Lawman 125gr FMJ. I got 2 boxes for $40, tax included. Yes 20 bucks a box.

Same time got 2 525 round boxes of Remington Golden bullets and a 1400 round box of the same stuff 'bucket of bullets' they all it. $160 for all that.

Normally I use my practice Glock 26 9mm for most of my practice (and it has a AACK .22 unit to, hence the .22 Remington ammo.) Reloading makes it cheap to shoot.

But Saturday I went ahead and used my carry Glock 33 and a box of Winchester 125 gr FMJ since I now have plenty of practice and carry .357 Sig ammo.

Deaf

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That's a great price on the CCI ammo.

Will the driving band on the Golden Saber bullet cause any seat and crimp issues? I had setback issues with 165gr GSs in .400 Corbon, 45 auto necked down to 10mm casing.

I got an extra slide and barrels for .40 and .357 SIG for my SIG 226. Both barrels work very well with the .357 being significantly more accurate than .40 or the original 9mm setup. I load for .357 using Longshot powder.

hatt said:

LOL. I don't even know what you're talking about. First time I've ever heard the bullet that works is the wrong one and the one that doesn't work is the right one. The 357 SIG hate is strong with you and has lead to irrational posts.

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At least you realize that your recent posts here are irrational, to use your own words, plus you continue to post misinformation for what ever reasons. The 115gr JHP (#8110) you did the copy and past on was redesigned in 1983, the SIG didn't come out until 1994, therefore, this JHP could not have been designed for the SIG. It's a 9mm design bullet with load information for the SIG and other calibers.

Bullet designers have a number of tools they can use to enhance performance upon impact, one being the surface area of the hollow cavity. For slower velocities, the surface area is increased, faster velocities and surface area is decreased; slower velocities deep cavities - fast velocities shallow cavities.

In the pic below are four Golds Dots that illustrate that point. Older Speer bullet boxes have have an outer and inner cavity outline, as can be seen in the upper right corner of the boxes.



The 125gr GD has a shallow cavity because it's designed for fast velocities, however, the 147gr GD has a deep cavity because it's designed for 9mm velocities and it can deliver poor performance at impact when driven at fast velocities, as we will see in the next post.

Next in line is the .38 Special 135gr Gold Dot with its deep and wide hollow cavity. Next to the 135gr GD is the 158gr GD JHP designed for fast magnum velocities, bullet jacket wrapped over and into the shallow bullet cavity.

A short message from Speer about the SIG and round FMJ bullets; "Full jacketed 9mm Luger bullets having the long NATO style nose must not be used."

9mm 147gr Gold Dot handloaded 1155fps

Tested the 147gr Gold Dot through a Glock 17, it's tough bullet that has an upper velocity window when fired through the fast 9s.

XTPs

Like the Gold Dot bullets posted above, there's a difference in design between the deep cavity 124gr XTP JHP and .357 shallow cavity 125 gr XTP JHP. While bullet construction of the 124gr XTP is not as tough as the 125gr hollow point/flat point XTPs, it performs well when loaded to the low 1300s on feral goats.