357sig posts increasing?

[shu]

Just an anecdotal observation (unsupported by and research). Posts related to 357sig in Handguns-Autoloaders and in Handloading & Reloading forums seem to have increased in the last month or so.

I have a G-31 and reload for it; don't shoot it much, though. (Currently putzing around with hardcast slow and heavy in 45acp and 45colt.) FWIW, in 357sig Bluedot is my powder of choice. I have a large quantity of 121gr hornaday HAP which I got because the profile seemed ideal for the 357sig; plated bullets scatter above sonic speed in my 9mm's, but the HAP was tolerably priced and did well in 9mm. Unfortunately, I found that seating the 121gr HAP to the specified 1.140 max put the cartridge lip over the cylinder part of the bullet and onto the cone; massive setback problem. Seating beyond 1.170 will not fit in the G31 magazines, although headspace is not a problem. When I have a chance, I'm gonna build some at 1.160 to try. If that crimps in confidently, I may try some PowerPistol.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Yes, the caliber is catching on. I bought the first 357 Sig Springfield XD available in Oregon several years ago, and had a barrel made for one of my Witnesses shortly thereafter. I've never been sorry, as it's an excellent round. It's accurate and flat shooting. At 100 yards, you can put rounds into the silhouette targets all day long, even from a 4" barrel.

I shoot lots of plated bullets in mine, but I've kept the 124 grain bullets right at 1,250 fps and they are very accurate. I drive jacketed bullets up around 1,350 fps. For jacketed, I prefer the Speer Gold Dot and the Hornady XTP, in that order.

I've settled on AA #9 powder for most of my loads. It's less temperature sensitive than Blue Dot and the pressure doesn't spike when you get near maximum loads. It also meters like sugar and completely fills the case. I haven't found a downside with it. Power pistol also works well, but not with plated bullets.

The round is a good one and there's really no mystery in reloading it, once you take a good look at it. All the data suggests that it headspaces on the case mouth, but there are really two datum points, the case mouth and the shoulder. If the shoulder isn't set back enough, the slide can't close, and that's where some reloaders run into trouble. I've had some Federal brass that was too long, and trimming that short little case is a royal pain. Speer makes about the best brass in 357 Sig, and it's readily available. I've got about 12,000 rounds loaded and stockpiled, so as far as I'm concerned, it's a keeper.

Hope this helps.

Fred