Best 357SIG BULLETS?

Status
Not open for further replies.
I have tested the following bullets with good results.

Jacketed:
Montana Gold 125gr JHP. It seems that a lot of reloaders like this bullet in 358sig. Loading these with a COL of 1.135".

Zero 124gr FPFMJ. I only tested a sample of these and they were very accurate. I settled on a COL of 1.125" with these.

Sierra 125gr V-Crown JHP. These are expanding bullets and they tested very well. I only tested a few of them and loaded them with a 1.125" COL.

Hornady 125gr HAP. A lot of people like the HAP bullet, but I only tested a few of them. They worked well and I also loaded these with a COL of 1.140".

RMR 124gr JHP. These are expanding bullets and I load them with a COL of 1.150".

Nosler 124gr JHP. I only tested a few of these an they tested well. This bullet I loaded with a COL of 1.120"

Plated (thick plating):
Berry's 124gr HBFPTP. I load these to a COL of 1.135" and they tested well. I try and keep them in the high 1200fps since they are plated. They are reated to 1500fps.

RMR 124gr Hardcore match Plated FN. These also tested well, but I had to load them with a COL of 1.140". I also try and keep them to the high 1200fps, even though they are rated to 1500fps.

For all the bullets above that I have tested, I first created some dummy rounds and put them through my cycle and bathroom scale test. Once they pass these tests, only then did I load live rounds and tested them at the range.
 
I normally cycle the bullet through my gun 5 times and test for setback. There is normally a little bit of setback but not much. After the cycle test push the bullet against a bathroom scale. If I see 25lb without the bullet being pushed into the case, then I am happy. I'm not sure what is a good weigh, but I used a digital scale so I actually need to keep the pressure on the bullet for about 5 second before it displays the weight.

Cycling the bullet 5 times is probably not necessary, since this is ammo I shoot at the range. Cycling it for 2 or 3 times should be enough for the few times you clear your gun and load the same round again.
 
I use only the Montana Gold, and I don't flare the mouth of the case before seating. I get good neck tension and consistent results that way, and the MG bullets don't give me any seating problems with an unflared mouth.
 
Depends on the usage.
For just shooting or targets all the ones mentioned will work.
If for carry, the only bullet I load is the 124 gr Speer Gold Dot. They stay together and expand consistently no matter how hard you push them.
IMO, the absolute best powder for the 357 Sig is Accurate #9. Terrific speed, accuracy and consistent. IIRC somewhere right at 13 gr is what I load with the Gold Dots. I also do not bell the cases as one of the previous posters mentioned. Zero issues after quite a few rounds.
 
dewey7271 said:
Depends on the usage.

For just shooting or targets all the ones mentioned will work.

If for carry, the only bullet I load is the 124 gr Speer Gold Dot. They stay together and expand consistently no matter how hard you push them.

IMO, the absolute best powder for the 357 Sig is Accurate #9. Terrific speed, accuracy and consistent. IIRC somewhere right at 13 gr is what I load with the Gold Dots. I also do not bell the cases as one of the previous posters mentioned. Zero issues after quite a few rounds.
Click to expand...



Speer makes a Gold Dot bullet in 125gr that's specific to the 357sig. That's what I use. For powder, I'm a fan of HS-6 for replicating a SD load, or for carry.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

vaalpens
  • Locked
357SIG bullets
Replies
12
Views
3K
vaalpens
vaalpens
shovel66
  • Locked
reloading BULLET help with .357sig
Replies
8
Views
905
shovel66
shovel66
S
  • Locked
a good 357sig jacketed bullet?
Replies
2
Views
410
Dave P
D
D
  • Locked
124gn Rainier hp for 357sig?
Replies
3
Views
870
ReloaderFred
ReloaderFred
Lycidas Janwor
  • Locked
.357sig and 9mm Question
Replies
9
Views
914
Trek
T
Back
Top