Peter M. Eick
Member
Actually, I consider the 357 sig one of the easiest rounds to reload I do. It ranks right up there with the 38 special in "no brains required" but you have to follow a few simple rules.
First, you have to be worried about setback of the bullet. To solve that problem use AA9 powder. It fills the case, supports the bullet and practically will not allow setback. Second use the right bullet. You need a long shank, so I do mostly Rem 115 and 124 grn JHP's. Mostly the 115's. Works great. 88 Grn Serra Jhp's are also fun and 147 XTP's also. Any bullet with a long straight shank that you can get the short neck on to. The worst are the long ogive 9mm luger bullets that are slowly rounded. Avoid them like the plague.
Now, you need to lube the brass or use a dillon die or use both. I use both. Works great.
Next this is one of the few rounds I use a factory crimp die on. The die has to be one of the collet types and I believe that is all they make but I don't keep up on the them much.
So to reiterate:
AA9 powder
Dillon die and lube
Lee collet factory crimp die
Rem 115 JHP or similar straight shank bullet
Follow those rules and you will love the 357 sig. I know I have shot over 10,000 rounds like that and every round has been fun. The sig is just a great round to shoot.
Someone asked about why the sig over a light 40. I like the longer bullet in the weight and 9mm bullets are cheaper than 40's in general. Also I love to shoot 88 grn "screamers" as I call them. Load up some hot AA9 loads with 88 grn jhp's and I have exceeded 1700 FPS out of my 229 sport. They are accurate and shoot like lasers!
First, you have to be worried about setback of the bullet. To solve that problem use AA9 powder. It fills the case, supports the bullet and practically will not allow setback. Second use the right bullet. You need a long shank, so I do mostly Rem 115 and 124 grn JHP's. Mostly the 115's. Works great. 88 Grn Serra Jhp's are also fun and 147 XTP's also. Any bullet with a long straight shank that you can get the short neck on to. The worst are the long ogive 9mm luger bullets that are slowly rounded. Avoid them like the plague.
Now, you need to lube the brass or use a dillon die or use both. I use both. Works great.
Next this is one of the few rounds I use a factory crimp die on. The die has to be one of the collet types and I believe that is all they make but I don't keep up on the them much.
So to reiterate:
AA9 powder
Dillon die and lube
Lee collet factory crimp die
Rem 115 JHP or similar straight shank bullet
Follow those rules and you will love the 357 sig. I know I have shot over 10,000 rounds like that and every round has been fun. The sig is just a great round to shoot.
Someone asked about why the sig over a light 40. I like the longer bullet in the weight and 9mm bullets are cheaper than 40's in general. Also I love to shoot 88 grn "screamers" as I call them. Load up some hot AA9 loads with 88 grn jhp's and I have exceeded 1700 FPS out of my 229 sport. They are accurate and shoot like lasers!
