I just obtained a Gen 4 G32, and I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a 124 or 125 grain JHP bullet - preferably one that's available in bulk - that works well in this cartridge. Also, what dies are y'all using? I've read that many folks first size their brass with a carbide .40 S&W sizer, and then size the neck with their .357 Sig sizer die.
Bullet recommendations for .357 Sig
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NicholsT55
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I just obtained a Gen 4 G32, and I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a 124 or 125 grain JHP bullet - preferably one that's available in bulk - that works well in this cartridge. Also, what dies are y'all using? I've read that many folks first size their brass with a carbide .40 S&W sizer, and then size the neck with their .357 Sig sizer die.
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48,642 Posts
Most truncated cone style jhp will work fine. The Hornady xtp, Sierra.
i use Dillon dies, expensive but only ones that are carbide. I load on a 550, i font want to do extra steps.
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1,320 Posts
Unfortunately, Dillon dies in .357 Sig, like a lot of other cartridges, are currently made from unobtanium.
The bullets made for .357 SIG are generally 125 gr, of the two you mentioned. Be careful using some 124 gr made for 9mm as they may not be designed to hold up at .357 SIG velocities or have a long enough shank on the bullet for seating.
Different but for example, Sierra told me their new 147 gr bullets are made for subsonic 9mm speed, not the .357 SIG speed.
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29,607 Posts
You can't go wrong with Hornady XTP's. They re accurate and good for high velocity loads. I also recommend the/e Loadbooks USA manual for the 357 Sig for the most comparative data from multiple sources where you can find the highest veloity loads that are still withing SAAMI specs and give you important information on overall cartridge length and what powders are best.
THE Complete Reloading Manual for the .357 SIG: Loadbooks Usa: Amazon.com: Books
THE Complete Reloading Manual for the .357 SIG [Loadbooks Usa] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. THE Complete Reloading Manual for the .357 SIG
www.amazon.com
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When I started with the 357sig I wetpack tested several JHP designs, all apparently for 9mm. Results with some, like Sierra, were poor. Driving them at 1350fps they frag. The XTp does a good job holding together & the extra vel actually helps imo. I als tried the 135gr GDSB made for the 357mag. It also frag running 1300fps+. Even plated can be used but I hold those to 1250fps. A PC coated lead bullet actually does better than plated & that is what I run in my practice ammo.
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1,320 Posts
One source I read stated that he uses the 125 grain XTPs intended for the .357 Mag, as they're designed to perform at a wider velocity range (higher velocity). This was just anecdotal evidence though, and a graph from somewhere showing velocity ranges for different bullets.
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Using 0.357" bullets is possible working up loads but they are NOT plug & play.
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1,320 Posts
Yeah, I've seen warnings posted about it. One fella on another forum said that he tried it, but quickly abandoned the idea due to unanticipated pressure excursions.
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29,607 Posts
"Be careful using some 124 gr made for 9mm as they may not be designed to hold up at .357 SIG velocities or have a long enough shank on the bullet for seating. "
More important than having a long enough shank for reloading is having too long of a shank which can boost pressures significantly. It's important to find load data that gives you what overall loaded length and seating depth to use with what bullet, which is why I recommend the Loadbooks USA manual for the 357 Sig. Also, always start out well below max and work your way up gradually, and it's best to use chronograph rather than watching for "Pressure signs" which may not always show up until maximum pressures have been exceeded.
THE Complete Reloading Manual for the .357 SIG: Loadbooks Usa: Amazon.com: Books
THE Complete Reloading Manual for the .357 SIG [Loadbooks Usa] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. THE Complete Reloading Manual for the .357 SIG
www.amazon.com
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3,590 Posts
How can you tell when pressures vary unexpectedly or unsafely?
Yes. A better way for me to say it would have been the profile of some 9mm bullets does not work well to load in .357 SIG cases."Be careful using some 124 gr made for 9mm as they may not be designed to hold up at .357 SIG velocities or have a long enough shank on the bullet for seating. "
More important than having a long enough shank for reloading is having too long of a shank which can boost pressures significantly. It's important to find load data that gives you what overall loaded length and seating depth to use with what bullet, which is why I recommend the Loadbooks USA manual for the 357 Sig. Also, always start out well below max and work your way up gradually, and it's best to use chronograph rather than watching for "Pressure signs" which may not always show up until maximum pressures have been exceeded.
THE Complete Reloading Manual for the .357 SIG: Loadbooks Usa: Amazon.com: Books
THE Complete Reloading Manual for the .357 SIG [Loadbooks Usa] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. THE Complete Reloading Manual for the .357 SIGwww.amazon.com
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9,135 Posts
I have some XTP 115, 124 and 147 for the 357 sig,
the 115gr are rated for 1400 fps.
Hornady velocity performance
This one has velocity ratings
xtpvelocities-jpg.300854 (790×688) (defensivecarry.com)
This one has the BC and application
Handgun Bullets - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc
Notice in this data, the 147gr is not the 147gr 9MM bullet with a BT,
it is a flat base,
.357 Sig Self-Defense Ammo Ballistic Gel Test (luckygunner.com)
I called Hornady and asked if the 147gr HPBT would be suitable for
the 357sig, they said, yes.
IMO, it's not so much the wt, it's the construction,
will be using the 115gr because it is rated for 1400 fps.
If you look at the data in these 9mm Hornady load tests,
they all needed to go faster for better expansion,
they were shot from short barrels in the tests.
9mm Defense Ammo For Sale - 115 gr JHP XTP Hornady Ammunition In Stock - 25 Rounds (luckygunner.com)
Premium 9mm Defense Ammo For Sale - 124 gr JHP XTP Hornady Ammunition In Stock - 25 Rounds (luckygunner.com)
Cheap 9mm Defense Ammo For Sale - 147 gr JHP XTP Hornady Ammunition In Stock - 25 Rounds (luckygunner.com)
For the people that want to use the .357'' mag bullets, they are not hard to
size down .002''.
the 115gr are rated for 1400 fps.
Hornady velocity performance
This one has velocity ratings
xtpvelocities-jpg.300854 (790×688) (defensivecarry.com)
This one has the BC and application
Handgun Bullets - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc
Notice in this data, the 147gr is not the 147gr 9MM bullet with a BT,
it is a flat base,
.357 Sig Self-Defense Ammo Ballistic Gel Test (luckygunner.com)
I called Hornady and asked if the 147gr HPBT would be suitable for
the 357sig, they said, yes.
IMO, it's not so much the wt, it's the construction,
will be using the 115gr because it is rated for 1400 fps.
If you look at the data in these 9mm Hornady load tests,
they all needed to go faster for better expansion,
they were shot from short barrels in the tests.
9mm Defense Ammo For Sale - 115 gr JHP XTP Hornady Ammunition In Stock - 25 Rounds (luckygunner.com)
Premium 9mm Defense Ammo For Sale - 124 gr JHP XTP Hornady Ammunition In Stock - 25 Rounds (luckygunner.com)
Cheap 9mm Defense Ammo For Sale - 147 gr JHP XTP Hornady Ammunition In Stock - 25 Rounds (luckygunner.com)
For the people that want to use the .357'' mag bullets, they are not hard to
size down .002''.
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Well it should be anticipated, you are running an over size bullet. Many of us routinely use 0.357” bullets in 9mm, but almost always lead or coated lead. Jacketed are more diff to deform, more pressure, so you back the charge off. A chrono shows you when you are there.
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Pierced or badly flattened primers, sticky extraction, velocity significantly higher than expected, things like that.
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48,642 Posts
Usually by the time you see pressure signs, you are well over. Case head exp is a good way but require good micrometer. Stick to book loads unless you have a lot of exp.
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48,642 Posts
Yes but all over pressure signs. ITs really hard to read subtle pressure issues just by observation. Soft primers can flatten sooner than later, rough chambers can account for sticky extraction & there is such a thing as fast barrels. Other signs are extractor/ejector marks on the case head/rim but again, you are then over pressure.
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7,017 Posts
Buffalo Bore loads 125gr JHCs to 1425fps (P229) in .357Sig. You may be onto something with the Sierra JHCs, I experienced a lot of fragmentation with the 140gr JHC (.357 caliber) loaded in the .38Super (.356 caliber).
Have you loaded any .357 cal XTPs in .357Sig?
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48,642 Posts
No but i would expect a bit better than the 9mm version.
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