.357 Sig opinions

Just a cpl thoughts on the 357 Sig...A quick review of Sierra's Infinity program shows that a .40 with 135 gr bullets has virtually the same muzzle velocity as the 357 Sig with 125's. I'll say that in my .40's (a Browning HP, a 229 & 226 Sig, and a Colt Cup Elite), Nosler's 135 gr JHP is a top contender for accuracy, feeds 100% of the time & sports a 1350 fps chrono'd muzzle velocity from the 5" Colt. For those reasons alone, I'm not interested in the .357 Sig.

As a reloader I've spent considerable time with a 1920 commercial Luger in .30 Luger. That round, like the .357 Sig has a very short neck and a tendency for bullet setback while feeding. So much so that I bought and use a C-H, canelure tool which helps to some extent, getting a decent crimp on the bullet. I do crimp for the .30 Luger and wonder if the .357 Sig head spaces on the case shoulder or the mouth. It'd make a difference. In that regard, those of you who reload .357 Sig...do you have problems with bullet setback.

Lastly, regarding feeding vs. bullet profile: I've never had problems with any cartridge feeding LSWC's (notorious for feeding problems) of the approximate shape of the old H&G #68 (200 gr. LSWC .45 target bullet). The list includes 125 gr 9mm's, 155 gr .40's, 185 & 200 gr. .45's. It's my experience that with a magazine who's feed lips are not damaged, and with the correct overall cartridge length, feeding becomes a non-issue. Modern JHP's, say designs that have been available for the past 10-15 years or so, should not be a problem in a functioning gun. One of the .357 Sig's selling points was easy feeding with issue ammunition...a stretch I'd say.

But if you like off-beat calibers (and I do), don't mind the expense of the factory ammunition and/or accept the possible challenge of reloading for it, the .357 Sig round might be interesting. It's not on my grail list, however.

YMMV, Rod
 
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As a reloader I've spent considerable time with a 1920 commercial Luger in .30 Luger. That round, like the .357 Sig has a very short neck and a tendency for bullet setback while feeding. So much so that I bought and use a C-H, canelure tool which helps to some extent, getting a decent crimp on the bullet. I do crimp for the .30 Luger and wonder if the .357 Sig head spaces on the case shoulder or the mouth. It'd make a difference. In that regard, those of you who reload .357 Sig...do you have problems with bullet setback.
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Bullet setback is pretty much eliminated by using a compressed load of powder. That, combined with a normal taper crimp will prevent any issue with the 357 SIG. Most of the top loads will end up being compressed anyways, so it's not much of a problem.

The 357 SIG head-spaces on the case mouth just the same as 9mm, 40, 45, etc.

I also shoot and like the 40SW myself, but I don't feel like the 135 grain bullet in the 40 is really the same as the 125 in the SIG at all. Look at the ballistics and the SIG will shoot a lot farther and a lot flatter while better retaining energy and will penetrate much much better than a 135 .40 will at any range.

That being said, I think it's mostly a matter of preference and as an enthusiast I like them all. ;)
 
I don't flare my case mouth, nor do I crimp. After sizing, I put a light chamfer on the case mouth, just enough to get the bullet started into the case. I've never had any setback issues.
As noted in earlier posts, a slow powder like AA9 will fill the case and prevent setback but for some loads like my 90 gr varmint loads or the longer monolithic copper bullets such as Lehigh Defense XD or XP, I have to use a faster powder like Bullseye. No setback issues even with the faster powders.
 
Finally, a little gun porn!

She finally showed up today. Bought a box of ammo to get me going. Looking forward to getting familiar with it. Haven't handled a Sig in 15+ years. Feels top heavy, but the one I've ever shot (226 .45) was a dream and very impressed by that one. This is my first Sig always being a CZ fan. Watched a few videos on the Legion series. Looks like a nice gun but it is really all that and a doughnut more than an Elite? To me, it looks like marketing similar to the Harley CVO line. Some nice features but you are really paying for exclusivity?? I'm not seeing real bang for the buck? This one isn't going anywhere, but I'm curious from those in the know. A .40 barrel will be added soon. Appreciate the help here gents!

Sig .357 Elite by https://www.flickr.com/photos/90916045@N02/, on Flickr

Sig .357 Elite by https://www.flickr.com/photos/90916045@N02/, on Flickr
 
Diseminator, thanks for the add'l info on the setback and headspace questions. Sounds like you like the round and have no problems loading for it.

My work with the .30 Luger 20+ years ago was interesting to say the least....once I got the crimp/canelure issues solved with jacketed bullets, it turned out to be a tack driver, even with that barley corn front sight and shallow "U" notch rear. The bore ran over 0.310" and I found that it would feed .32 cal 85 grain Hornady's designed for the .32-20 and .32 H&R with ease and give me 1.25 groups at 25 yds. The gun's still in the safe but rarely gets a work out...and then mostly to show some visitors what a "real Luger" looks like and shoots.

Best regards and sorry for the thread drift...Rod
 
2wheelwander, very nice pistol indeed. No matter what people say, the .357 Sig is a great defensive cartridge, very effective.

Speer’s 125 grain Gold Dot is pretty good ammo to carry in it.

Yelp I have carried a few over the years and yea I own more than one.

Enjoy your pistol, stay safe.
 
Minor update. Finally got together with my buddy and he relieved himself of ammo he no longer has use for.

1200+ rounds between .357 Sig and .40 LE duty ammo.

.40 229 barrels are on back order with Midway.
.357 dies getting ordered.

Yup, it was worth it to buy this thing and have great friends!! :)
 
Same here silvermane. Just snagged a clean used .40 barrel on ebay for $85. .357 dies will be next. Plan on loading up plenty of .357, but will probably shoot the .40 just as much because its so much cheaper.

Still haven't decided if I will EDC this one. Quit a bit bigger than my CZ PCR (love that gun). Until I can shoot a 229 .357 Sig as well as my CZ, it'll be range time only.

That 229 just feels like a chunk to CC. Favorite leather holsters?
 
Just shot this caliber for the first time, about an hour ago. Put 5 rounds down range. It was not as "snappy" as I thought it would be. Was my friends Sig Sauer, I don't know what model. He was in the lane next to me, he took my Makarov for a spin...Happy Shooting!
 
Jdin8455 said:
Just shot this caliber for the first time, about an hour ago. Put 5 rounds down range. It was not as "snappy" as I thought it would be. Was my friends Sig Sauer, I don't know what model. He was in the lane next to me, he took my Makarov for a spin...Happy Shooting!
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I find the 357 to be pretty much the same recoil as .40. But man it seems to shoot so flat it is like a laser! Only a few hundred fps faster but sure seems to be super flat trajectory. I personally don’t see the need for it since I am stocked up on .40, but I can see how it would be a very fun caliber to shoot a lot.
 
Just snagged a nice used .40 barrel for it on ebay. Midway had Starline brass 100/$24, dies on the way, and some 115 gr projectiles with them. I've got plenty of .40 to run through it while I get some .357 loaded up.

Really looking forward to running both calibers through side by side. I'll get my G22 out and see if its just my getting older or if the .357 round is as pronounced as my hands tell me it is.
 
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