Finally shot my .357 sig

[Bovice]

I got a factory .357 sig barrel for my 229 2 weeks ago and finally had time to try it. I may never put the .40 back in it! It was way more fun and shot very well. I had never fired the caliber before.

It was REALLY loud.

If you've been thinking you might want a .357 sig, you should get one. It was a blast, literally.

Time to get my dies set up. It was $30 for a box of 50!

 

[EBShooting]

I got my 226 in 40, but never planned on shooting 40 in it. Put the 357 sig barrel in right away. Love it. But reloading is a must. However I will warn you, it is not the easiest round to reload.

 

[Bovice]

Yeah, I've heard it's a little harder to reload. I'm planning on using AA #9 so I don't get setback. I've been loading my own ammo in 9mm and 40 for over 2 years and haven't had a single bad round yet. I also have the FCD for 357 sig, and I have heard it helps with holding bullets secure.

 

[hAkron]

I normally use Blue Dot with Berry's 124gr HP bullets. I recently did some test loads using HS-6 and once I got up to the medium warm loads I had all sorts of key holing, which I attribute to the separation of the Berry's plating from the lead core. I'm not sure what sort of bullets you were planning, so that was just a heads up on the Berry's.

I think I've shot my .40 barrel only once after getting the Sig barrel for my 229.

 

[Rob G]

I'll agree that I love this round. I have both a .40 barrel and a 357 Sig barrel for my M&P Compact and I've only used the .40 barrel once, for about 20 rounds. If you reload it's probably not to pricey but for people like myself that don't sometimes you just have to look around. Last time I bought ammo in that caliber I found 50 round boxes of FMJ for $17. I also bought two 50 round boxed of Speer Gold Dot JHP for $32/box. The internet can often be far cheaper than the LGS for this caliber.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I recently came by a new Glock 33 .357 SIG.
Although I have a G26 and G19 I am not a Glock fan but I couldn't pass up the G33 for $350.

The .357 Sig is an impressive round. Powerful and very accurate.

I immediately ordered 2,000 once fired SIG brass and reloading dies.
By using a 40 S&W carbide sizing die first up in my Dillon reloading press, the .357 SIG is no more trouble than reloading any other pistol round.

I had 2,000 9mm 115 gr flat nose Berry's bullets and a keg of AA#9 on hand, so I've been loading and shooting these for a target load.
I think I'll order another 2,000 cases and try out a couple thousand 124 gr Berry's bullets.

Store bought practice ammo is higher than 9mm, 45ACP, etc, but defense ammo seems to cost about the same as the other calibers. Like $17.95 for Hornady 147 XTP, at the gun show.

I don't see the need to replace most any caliber with the .357 SIG but, IMO, the round is up to doing what most any other defense caliber will do and maybe better.

 

[CZguy]

the round is up to doing what most any other defense caliber will do and maybe better.

Certainly further.