Handloading the 357 Sig

[Hammer47]

What is the preferred bullet for general target shooting from the 357 Sig, both cast and jacketed? Also would appreciate the best powder selection. Are there any special oddities to the loading of this round since it is a bottleneck?

 

[ny32182]

*I have never loaded a round of 357sig to date* (still waiting on bullets)... That said, I can tell you that you definitely need a bullet with a short ogive, usually in a HP or FP configuration, in order for the short neck to have enough bearing surface to grip on the bullet. I have on order Rainier 124gr TC's (plated).

I've sized and primed my first 100 cases... I think of them as mini rifle cases for the mostpart, for sizing purposes. I lubed them and just ran them through the 357sig steel die, and they appear to headspace fine on the case mouth in my barrel.

Others have reported running them through a carbide .40 die first to size the body, and then size the neck in a 357sig die with no lube... I have not tried this method yet.

 

[Walkalong]

AA #9.

Bullets with plenty of full diameter body. (short ogive, as posted)

Ranier 124 Gr TrFP

Hornady 124 Gr FMJ

Sierra 125 Gr JHP

Berrys 124 Gr TrFP

These bullets show the shape they need to be. Others will work.

 

[Lonely Raven]

Montana Gold bullets makes a dedicated 124GR .355 bullet for .357 SIG. I've gone through thousands of them with great results. It's been about 5 years since I've owned a pistol that fired them though, so without looking up my notes, I only recall using Universal Clays.

 

[ReloaderFred]

There have been many threads on this subject here. Here's one to start you out: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=450387

As noted, flat or hollowpoint bullets are required. And no Remington Golden Sabres, as they'll just fall into the case. For Powder, Accurate Arms #9 works very well for me. For top loads, with jacketed bullets, Power Pistol will give the best velocities.

Hope this helps.

Fred