357 sig compared to 40 cal
Which round do you prefer?
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I would be all over the 357 Sig. Faster, higher sectional density, and closer to a 357 Magnum. 0 -
What about cost per box!
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tsr1965
To add to this with thread out jacking someone elses opportunity to post the cost of .357 Sig when you can find it is higher priced than .40 S&W were I live. The auction side is not the be all for the price of guns and ammo just a small part of the bigger picture of guns and ammo sales.
Emmett0 -
I can't tell the difference between the two out of my SIG pro 2340 0 -
I say .40 SW.
Cheaper per round, far easier to find on the store shelves, and ballistically similar to 357 SIG if using similar lightweight bullets.
10mm .40SW bullet also punches a hole in the target with nearly 20% more cross sectional area. That can't hurt either.
Incidentally, the hottest 9mm +P rounds fall only a little shy of 357 SIG, yielding about 1250 fps vs 1350 for 357 SIG and 1450 for a true 357 magnum with 124/125 grain bullets.
If you are happy getting 85+% of the way there to 357 SIG (and maybe 75% of the way there to .357 magnum), "ordinary" 9mm luger will do that for you, and you also get the benefit of higher capacity, and far cheaper practice ammo.
Conversely, if you really "need" .357 magnum like ballistics from your semi-auto pistol, the round to use is 9x23 Winchester.
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Edit: Responding to below. IMO, there is absolutely nothing "wrong" with 357 SIG; by itself its an excellent round, better than most in its class. IMO, its sort of a modern iteration of the .38 Super, tailored to 21st century service guns.
I just don't think there is any meaningful ballistic advantage to it compared to .40SW, and I'm quite convinced that the "hype" surrounding this round exceeds its reality.
Again, the reality is that its not all that much better than 9mm +P and the performance is also highly comparable to the 135 grain .40SW loads.
The bottleneck shape 357 cartridge is also more difficult to reload than straight wall ones like .40SW or 9mm luger, though that's not all that big of a deal.
In terms of cost, looking at the aggregator websites, cheapest cost I have for factory 357 SIG is Privi Partisan at $0.37 per round, with American Eagle and the other low-end factory loadings starting at about $0.40 per round and going up from there.
Meanwhile, Aguila, Fiocci, Remington UMC, and the other low-end factory .40SW rounds start at only $0.30 per round, which is quite a bit less. If you are willing to use steel case ammo, you can get the Russian stuff in .40SW for only $0.25 per round.
As to 9x23, yes with maybe 1 or 2 exceptions (eg EAA Witness large frame), you can't run that through most modern 9mm/40SW "service" gun platforms. My remark above was a little tongue in cheek. . .again its the rare shooter who "needs" true .357 magnum ballistics from a semi-auto handgun, and this is really not a round for someone looking for home defense or concealed carry.
10mm probably does make more sense for someone looking for a really stout semi-auto handgun cartridge, though its not directly comparable to .357 magnum.
As to 9x25 Dillon (125 grain 9mm bullet at 1700 fps). . .IMO now we're getting into "ridiculous" territory. That round makes sense for its dedicated specialty niche of IPSC "major" from a compensated pistol (maybe), but I don't think much else.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Emmett Dunham
What about cost per box!
Emmett
They are roughly the same price for the same type/brand of ammo. The advantage going to the 357 sig, as the cheaper target ammo, is less than the 40 S&W of same mfg., and type. That i looking at the auction side.
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Beantown,
Yep I do agree with your analogy on ballistics, and velocity, but with the 9x23, you need a full sized gun, for a 45 or 10mm. As long as you are going there, I would go with the 10mm, or if you really wanted the show stopper, the 9x25 Dillon.
The prices of the 40S&W ammo, and the 357 Sig, are just about in a dead heat tie.
Best0 -
All are sound arguments. It depends on what you want to do with it. Generally the heavier the bullet for the same diameter the better the sectional density and penetration and the lower the velocity. The larger diameter makes a bigger hole. The debate on which is better continues for over a hundred years. Projectiles are much better than they used to be and more predictable but things have a tendency to go wrong at the worst moments therefore I go for the larger diameter with higher sectional density for penetration. 0 -
I have a Glock in 357 Sig. I get greater accuracy and it feels slightly more powerful than the 40. The plus side is if you own a Glock, you can get a Glock .40 barrel and shoot either the .40 or the 357 Sig, using the same magazines, or get a Glock 9mm barrel and shoot that, but I need to use Glock 17 mags, which fit my Glock 22. All three calibers work flawlessly in my Glock 22. 0 -
They're both excellent rounds with good real world track records. When it comes to antipersonnel use you won't go wrong by choosing either one.
That being said, they do have one difference you might want to take into account.
Due to previously mentioned sectonal density the .357 SIG offers greater capability for barrier penetration than the .40 S&W. For example, that .357 would be the better choice if you anticipate the need to engage someone in a vehicle.
However, keep in mind this quality can also be a detriment. Depending upon your specific requirements you might not wish to have an increased penetration capability.0 -
Shoot the one you free the most comfortable with and can hit the best with. Either in the kill zone is much better than a 50 cal that misses everything. 0 -
I have had Sig 229 and 239 with both barrels for years. After shooting them both I put away the .40 barrels and use nothing but the .357. The recoil pulse is a little quicker than the .40, but not any harder. If you want a heavier bullet Hornady makes an excellent load with their 147 gr. XTP bullet. I use it in the shorter barrel of the 239 and the 124 grain Gold Dot in the 229. I carried these for duty for years and never felt undergunned. 0
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