357sig vs 357mag
- Thread starter frigate88
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chris in va
New member
Same velocity using the 125gr bullets out of a 4" barrel, but that's where the similarities end.
Deaf Smith
New member
My 686 2 1/2 .357 with top loads is about the same as a Glock 33 sub-compact in power.
But that Glock 33 holds 10 shots, not 6 like my 686 above, and is lighter.
Oh, I like 'em both but overall, purely for self defense, I'd take the Glock.
Deaf
But that Glock 33 holds 10 shots, not 6 like my 686 above, and is lighter.
Oh, I like 'em both but overall, purely for self defense, I'd take the Glock.
Deaf
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
It does exactly what it was designed to do.... match the legendary 125gr 357mag loads, except in an auto-loader that holds between 66% and 300% more ammo and weighs a lot less.
Inch for inch of barrel length, both loaded to their full potential (SAAMI max psi) the Sig matches the Mag in 125g loads, I might argue that it beats the Mag but that's another argument.
Inch for inch of barrel length, both loaded to their full potential (SAAMI max psi) the Sig matches the Mag in 125g loads, I might argue that it beats the Mag but that's another argument.
Aaron1100us
New member
Love my G33 in that caliber. But those .357 revolvers sure look cool. Just wish they had a 147 grain +P for the 357 SIG 
Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk
Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk
Deaf Smith
New member
The .357 Sig was made as a combat round and nothing more, hence the 125 gr. load. Sure the .357 magnum uses 158s to 180s, but it was made as a hunting round to begin with.
As long as we are talking combat rounds the Sig, due to the simi-auto platform, is better.
Deaf
As long as we are talking combat rounds the Sig, due to the simi-auto platform, is better.
Deaf
orionengnr
New member
If the .357 Sig was as capable as the .357 Mag, it would be a very popular cartridge.
The fact is, the .357 is a one-trick pony. And obviously, that one trick is not very appealing to the vast majority of shooters.
IMHO, it is just another very expensive 9mm+p+.
The fact is, the .357 is a one-trick pony. And obviously, that one trick is not very appealing to the vast majority of shooters.
IMHO, it is just another very expensive 9mm+p+.
Chrisbradley2001
Inactive
Let me put it this way: if it were possible to shoot a 357 mag shell in a 357 sig pistol, it would probably turn it inside out.
Kinda apples and oranges IMHO.
Kinda apples and oranges IMHO.
As stated, the 357 Sig matches the current specs for 125 gr bullets.
the original specs were hotter in that round.
What it does is give you a penetrating round in a semi auto that none of the others match.
It also gives you a hell of a lot of them which the revolver does not match.
I think its a good addition unlike the 40 S&W (none of them are more lethal than a 9mm in the real world shootings though on paper all sorts of claims are made).
For some organizations that require penetration its an excellent option in a semi auto. Not its not a true 357 Mag in all its flexible glory, but its good enough for what's needed.
the original specs were hotter in that round.
What it does is give you a penetrating round in a semi auto that none of the others match.
It also gives you a hell of a lot of them which the revolver does not match.
I think its a good addition unlike the 40 S&W (none of them are more lethal than a 9mm in the real world shootings though on paper all sorts of claims are made).
For some organizations that require penetration its an excellent option in a semi auto. Not its not a true 357 Mag in all its flexible glory, but its good enough for what's needed.
The .357 SIG was designed to replicate the LEO/self defense 125gr .357 Magnum loads from a 4" barrel revolver. It does that; but so does the 9x23 Winchester....and the 9x23 doesn't give up any capacity compared to an ordinary 9mm.
Compare the .357 SIG to a full-tilt boogie .357 Magnum in any bullet weight? No way in Hades. The .357 Mag loaded to original pressures will launch a 125gr bullet between 1600 and 1800 fps depending on barrel length (4" minimum). Check Buffalo Bore to verify.
Ammo capacity? The 9x25 Dillon and 10mm Auto have the same case diameter for the same capacity and both blow the .357 SIG in the weeds.
Compare the .357 SIG to a full-tilt boogie .357 Magnum in any bullet weight? No way in Hades. The .357 Mag loaded to original pressures will launch a 125gr bullet between 1600 and 1800 fps depending on barrel length (4" minimum). Check Buffalo Bore to verify.
Ammo capacity? The 9x25 Dillon and 10mm Auto have the same case diameter for the same capacity and both blow the .357 SIG in the weeds.
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frigate88 said:
Good, solid, legitimate questions.
When I'm on the line, shooting my revolvers, I generally save a couple of shots for the 100 yards gong. It's a 12X12 steel plate that we have set up down there. Lots of fun to shoot with pistols. With my Model 28 I can hit that target more times than not, and it's all about the fact that I have practiced hitting that gong.
You do shoot your pistols at 100 yards? No?
I don't think that any prudent reloader would try to stuff a 180 grain bullet into the .357 Sig cartridge, so the comparison starts off as an apples-to-oranges proposition. One is primarily a revolver cartridge, one is primarily a semi-auto cartridge, so it's an apples to oranges question. One has a wide range of bullet weights, one uses mainly one bullet weight. The whole question is a strawman, and the fact remains that the .357 Sig, while a nice little handgun cartridge, is a pale reflection of the .357 magnum.
I like both cartridges and own them both. Although, I only have one pistol in .357sig and quite a few in magnum. I think there is some equality there when discussing defense loads (the rest of the defensive cartridges are good also 9mm to .45acp, depending on the bullet design).
One of the interesting things about the sig round that I have heard is that due to the bottle neck design, there is an increase in feeding reliability. Makes sense to me but I haven't done any studying on it.
I respectfully disagree.
One of the interesting things about the sig round that I have heard is that due to the bottle neck design, there is an increase in feeding reliability. Makes sense to me but I haven't done any studying on it.
I respectfully disagree.
I don't mess with the exotic rounds. Too costly for my needs.
I like 357 in 125 grain.
My 627 has an 8 round capacity. It accommodates moon clips. I truly love it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2fkmlRXERU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
iPad/Tapatalk
I like 357 in 125 grain.
My 627 has an 8 round capacity. It accommodates moon clips. I truly love it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2fkmlRXERU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
iPad/Tapatalk
carguychris
New member
Compared to what? .357Mag, or other common automatic pistol cartridges?
.357Mag inherently feeds poorly in semi-automatics due to the long and skinny straight-walled case, but I suspect this is irrelevant to most shooters because the cartridge is used almost exclusively in revolvers.
Compared to other automatic pistol cartridges, this may be true, but I'd argue that this is also irrelevant today, because 95%+ of modern automatic pistols feed flawlessly 99%+ of the time.
A couple of other minor notes:
- .357Sig differs from most other auto pistol cartridges because AFAIK it headspaces off the case neck rather than the case mouth (9x19, 9x17, .40S&W, .45ACP) or case rim (.32ACP, .38 Super). That said, I'm not sure you can categorically call this an advantage- just a difference.
- .357Sig is notoriously fussy to handload; although I've never tried it myself, my understanding is that the bullets tend not to seat properly unless the dies are adjusted perfectly and the brass and bullets are absolutely uniform in size. OTOH .357Mag is extremely easy to work with, assuming the shooter doesn't double- or triple-charge the mammoth cases.
