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04-07-2017, 10:26 PM
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.357sig vs .40 cal ammo
Just a ? I'd like to pose to get a wide variant of opinions.
One of my EDC's that's in my rotation is a M&P mid-size .40/.357sig, it's presently configured .357sig.
The question I'd like to pose is the .357sig using plain ole FMJ ammo for plinking is harder to come by especially in bulk than the .40 FMJ. I know it's pretty much just a simple barrel change to convert, but I personally feel I'll be losing some knockdown power with the conversion, though I know the .40 still carries more than adequate protection and power.
What is the opinion on making the swap based soley on the cost efective variable in ammo price and availabilty? I'd like to put more rounds down range on the weekends beings that it is one of my EDC's, I just personally favor the .357, but as stated previously the ammo @ times makes this very expensive and a lot of times simply hard to acquire to do such.
On a side note when carrying I'm clipped with Self Defense HP's (with a spare mag just for piece of mind)
So what's all's opinion concerning my inquiry?
Thanks in advance for any input.
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04-07-2017, 10:33 PM
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If you are set up to reload, .357 Sig is about as cheap as 9mm so that solves the problem. Without reloading, .357 Sig can be expensive. I doubt if there is a huge difference in the effectiveness of either caliber. I got into .357 a little because I am into reloading so the additional cost didn't apply to me.
Last edited by Geno44; 04-07-2017 at 10:35 PM.
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04-07-2017, 10:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Geno44
If you are set up to reload, .357 Sig is about as cheap as 9mm so that solves the problem. Without reloading, .357 Sig can be expensive. I doubt if there is a huge difference in the effectiveness of either caliber. I got into .357 a little because I am into reloading so the additional cost didn't apply to me.
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...and if your not set up to reload, you'll get your $250 investment back quick once you start reloading 357 sig.
__________________
Dave
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04-07-2017, 11:39 PM
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Just buy 9mm and thank yourself that you're swimming in cheap ammo.
Check out federal hst. 9mm or 40 will get the job done far better than you think
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04-08-2017, 01:51 AM
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Train with 40.
Carry 357.
John
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04-08-2017, 08:01 AM
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I personally would have slightly more confidence in the stopping power of the .40 over the .357 Sig but the .357 Sig would have better hard barrier penetration which is why it was popular with the highway patrol for penetration of truck cabs.
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04-08-2017, 09:57 AM
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Currently SGAmmo has 40S&W Blazer Brass for $230 per case and 357Sig Speer Lawman for $300 per case. That's about 7 cents per round difference and really not that bad. As someone else mentioned you could practice mostly with 40 and save a little money.
Since I reload there's not a lot of price difference for me between 9, 40 or the 357Sig so I enjoy shooting them all. When I bought the 357 barrel for my full size 40 all I needed was to spend $40 on the dies and was good to go.
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04-08-2017, 11:10 AM
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I'm not really sold on the 357 Sig. It was originally supposed to be a match for the 357 Magnum, except instead of a 158 grain bullet at 1300 fps or a bit more you havea 125 grain bullet at 1300 fps or a bit more. So, in a way it's really a Magnum Light.
So, look at what can be done with the 40 S&W. Use a 165 grain bullet and load using Longshot and you can have a load that clocks at 1150 fps or a bit more if you use a maximum charge. Heavier bullet, larger in diameter, with velocity that nearly matches most commercial 357 Sig SD loads and you have IMO more knockdown power.
As for those pointing out that 9mm bullets can be used to load your own, the 357 Sig has developed a reputation for being a bit "touchy" to reload due to the rather short neck length. In addition if you load a standard 9mm plated bullet to the top of the velocity chart for 357 Sig you may find your bullets coming apart mid flight. If you really want to push the 357 Sig hard you should plan on using a bullet like the Hornady XTP which can withstand much higher velocities. When you do that you'll be adding about 10 cents per round to your costs.
BTW, I've loaded 125 grain 357 Magnums to 2100 fps out of a 20 inch rifle and they stayed together just fine. However accuracy was not as good as the 140 and 158 grain XTP, probably due to a twist rate issue. Point is Hornady makes very good handgun bullets that can withstand rifle velocities without problems.
Point is I find that there are many positives to the 40 S&W that a lot of 357 Sig fans seem to ignore. First, use the correct powder and you can match the energy levels of the 357 Sig at a lower cost. For example my carry load in the 40 is a Speer Gold Dot loaded to 1150 fps and I can build an exact match to that load for practice purposes using Longshot and a 165 grain plated bullet from Extreme bullets. Means my practice loads are rather inexpensive. In addition the 40 has a straight case so I need not be concerned about the potential for Setback that can sometimes be a problem with 357 Sig handloads. Sum it all up and I am quite happy to stick with my old "40 Short & Weak".
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04-08-2017, 09:40 PM
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I'm reloading 357Sig using 125gr FMJ's from Everglades Ammo and it's actually cheaper than 40 FMJ's. I prefer those over plated but that's just me. I've been shooting 40S&W since it first came out and really like it. Just recently started shooting the 357Sig and really like it too. Both are great cartridges and since it's under $100 for the factory barrel it's almost like having a second gun for cheap. I have always been very accurate with the 40 but I'm even better with the 357Sig although not by much.
I've found the 357Sig ammo to be available online even when the 40 stuff was a little hard to come by during the panic last year. I'm stocked up on both factory ammo and the components to load my own pretty much for every caliber I shoot.
As far as which one is the best SD round, I'd really hate to make that call. I think both are more than sufficient to take care of most any situation you would find yourself in. If not, you probably shouldn't have been there anyway.
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04-09-2017, 07:02 PM
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Personally I did the .40 a tad too " snappy ", for my liking while the .357 Sig had that attention getting muzzle blast. Either round will do what it was designed for but I shoot the Sig better and like 15 .357 " Lites ", just fine. Shop around and ammo isn't all that much more or do what another poster stated and buy a .40 barrel.
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04-09-2017, 07:55 PM
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Excellent input and opinions.......all is greatly appreciated !!!
It's kinda a mixed pot, much like when I posed the ? to friends both @ the GC and in general.
I don't want to have this come across as a contradiction to my original post, but I agree I have no qualms with either caliber "getting the job done" as a SD round.
I guess I'm just trying to find more and more opinions and input to help justify my being partial to the .357 sig and thus the additional costs associated with staying in the current configuration and not making the swap, but I very much like the opinions/and pro's-con's that such a large group of gun owners can provide insight on
I've found (at least in my circles) those whom I'd trust to shoot their reloads all kinda share the concerns/opinion that "scooter123" spoke of in his reply to this thread when it comes to reloading that caliber.
Still looking forward to more input and opinions on this issue.
Again my thanks to all whom have provided.
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04-16-2017, 11:03 PM
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Too late now, but I have missed out on a lot of good guns at good prices if I would have considered 40 cal.
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