Favorite .357 sig practice bullet

[Jenrick]

What's everyone's favorite practice bullet? Looking for low cost and reasonably accurate.

Thanks,

-Jenrick

 

[68wj]

I found Hornady XTPs to be reasonably priced and then I didnt have to worry about whether I was grabbing practice or hunting loads.

 

[soloban]

+1 on the Hornady XTPs. I use 158 and 125 Gr XTPs in my .357Mag and .38SP loads. They are cheap and give good results.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I've loaded about 9,000 rounds of Berry's 124 grain 9mm Flat point bullets in 357 Sig. They're accurate and with an ample dose of AA-9 powder, work very, very well.

This is the bullet I use: http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14475-c11-g8-b0-p0-9mm_124gr_FP.aspx

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Chuck Perry]

I just bought some Hornady 125g HAP's to try out. They are Hornady's economy version of their XTP. Same basic bullet, but they leave out a few of the HP forming steps that have to do with expansion. They are also sized .356, which should help maintain neck tension. Haven't tried them yet, but they sure are nice looking.

 

[BigBob3006]

Jenrick,

I think it is more important to find a good working load and shoot it at every thing and learn what it is all about and how to shoot it. I'm also a believer in the Hornady XTP. Accurate and will get the job done.

 

[JimKirk]

Hornady 124 gr. XTP work well for me. AA #9, HS6, 800X drives them very good.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

115 Rem JHP's. I have shot nearly 10,000 of them out of my 229 sport.

 

[noylj]

Penn Bullets 9mm 120 Grain Truncated Cone Bevel Base Cast Lead-- $65/1000

 

[Chuck Perry]

noylj, what kind of load(s) are you running with those Penn casts?

 

[Gik-tal]

I'm using Montana Gold 125 Grain 357 Sig FMJ for the range good price and a good quality bullet

 

[noylj]

Penn 120gn TCBB

Haven't done a lot of load development yet


Bullet Mfg. Bullet Type Nominal Bullet Weight Powder Powder Weight Primer COL Accuracy
Penn L-TC 120 Clays 3.0 WSP 1.078 1.41
Penn L-TC 120 Clays 3.0 WSP 1.078 1.47

Penn L-TC 120 Clays 3.5 WSP 1.080 4.13
Penn L-TC 120 Clays 3.5 WSP 1.080 6.75
Penn L-TC 120 Power Pistol 6.5 WSP 1.083 4.03
Penn L-TC 120 Power Pistol 6.5 WSP 1.083 3.06
Penn L-TC 120 Red Dot 3.5 WSP 1.083 2.06
Penn L-TC 120 Red Dot 3.5 WSP 1.083 2.97
Penn L-TC 120 Red Dot 4.0 WSP 1.083 2.50
Penn L-TC 120 Red Dot 4.0 WSP 1.083 4.56
Penn L-TC 120 Unique 4.7 WSP 1.083 4.69
Penn L-TC 120 Unique 4.7 WSP 1.083 2.38
Penn L-TC 120 Unique 5.7 WSP 1.083 2.66
Penn L-TC 120 Unique 5.7 WSP 1.083 4.19

 

[Chuck Perry]

Since we have SIG loaders watching this, what's everybody's opinion on crimp? I started loading some test rounds tonight (125g Hornady HAP JHP) and have found that my loads are holding best neck tension with minimal expansion and NO crimp. My rounds contained no powder. I tested them by loading a single round in a magazine and loading it by slingshotting the slide. I am seeing maybe .005 bullet setback after 3-4 chamberings. I read somewhere on the net where a guy compared crimp/no crimp with jacketed and plated bullets. He also saw better neck tension when no crimp was used with a jacketed bullet. I believe he saw better performance with the softer plated bullets using a crimp. I'd like to get one of those cannelure tools and see how much of a difference that makes.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I have the CH-4D cannelure tool and use it to apply a cannelure to the Berry's 124 gr. FP plated bullets I load for 357 Sig. I then apply a crimp into the cannelure and have no setback issues with that bullet.

As you've noted, neck tension is quite important with this round, due to the short neck of the case. A properly sized expander is important to neck tension. Using a powder which is slightly compressed will also aid in preventing bullet setback. I prefer Accurate #9 for my 357 Sig loads for this reason. That, and it's very accurate with that bullet.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Chuck Perry]

Interesting. I have looked at the CH-4D tool online. I know there is another cannelure tool out there, but the names escapes me right now. Would you buy the CH-4D tool again, or is there something "better" out there?

 

[Seedtick]

Originally posted by Chuck Perry: Interesting. I have looked at the CH-4D tool online. I know there is another cannelure tool out there, but the names escapes me right now. Would you buy the CH-4D tool again, or is there something "better" out there?

I certainly can't answer for Fred but I can point you to the response he had a few days ago when I was asking about said tool....

I have one, and I've left instructions for them to add a pocket in the coffin for it when I die....

They work great and I used mine all the time. I've used it to add a cannelure to 9mm bullets for use in the 357 Sig, .38 bullets and I'm currently using it on .44 Magnum bullets that I'm swaging. I wouldn't be without one.

Hope this helps.

Fred

Originally Posted by ReloaderFred I have the CH-4D cannelure tool...

Hey Fred, Now I have one too.
Thanks to a very fine gentleman and board member, Arnett.

Seedtick

 

[ReloaderFred]

Seedtick,

I'm glad you were able to procure a cannelure tool. They come in real handy. I'll go for about a year and won't use it, then some project comes up and I'll use it for days on end.

Chuck Perry,

The other one you were thinking of is probably the one made by Dave Corbin. Here's the link: http://www.corbins.com/prices.htm#cannelure

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[CPT Kirk]

Agree with Montana Gold 125 bullet for .357 Sig with straight sides for good crimp. MG is great in other calibers too.