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.357 Sig reloading question...

Permanently deleted user
I have a couple of questions regarding the .357 Sig. I understand that the .357 Sig actually uses a 9mm bullet (.355). Most .38's and .357 Mag bullets seem to range between .356 and .358. Could you safely load a .357 round in a .357 Sig case? My next question has to do with case diameter. The .357 Sig has a larger case diameter than the 9mm, .38, or the .357 Mag...why would this be the case, considering the smaller caliber round??? Last but not least, why the heck is it called a .357 Sig, if it's actually a 9mm...why not a 9mm Sig???[:)] Thanks for any feedback!

Eric

All American Arms Company

www.galleryofguns.com
VIP Code: AAAC

Veteran Owned and Operated
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3 comments

Date Votes
  • perry shooter
    Hello the reason the case is larger is because it is a necked Cartridge a 38 special 357 MAG both are straight walled cases & a 9mm is slightly smaller front to back but allmost straight. You would have to SLUG the barrel on your gun to get proper bullet FIT most SWAGED lead bullets would be OK but jacketed would be ???? .If you pull the bullet of factory round and mic. it this will tell you what size to load.
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  • v35
    The 357 SIG was so named because the cartridge was developed by SIG to approximate the power of the 125 grain 357 Magnum revolver cartridge out of an automatic pistol. It's an advertising gimmick.
    9mm and 357 SIG bullets are both 9mm which is about .003" smaller than 38/357 revolver bullets. You may find that if you loaded the larger bullets in the 357 SIG cartridge the neck would be too fat to chamber the round. Besides, it would be dangerous to fire an oversize bullet in a high pressure cartridge.
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  • Iconoclast
    Eric,

    v35 nailed the detailed answer to your questions as usual, but allow me to emphasize that you *must* use a .355" - .356" bullet designed for a 9mm cartridge. *BUT* be especially careful in selecting the bullets to use, because not all 9mm designs will work in the short-necked .357 SIG case. E.g., don't buy the Remington Golden Sabre - it has a stepped profile and by the time you have the loaded cartridge within the OAL spec, the .355" band at the base of the bullet is below the neck (or *barely* hanging in there by a few .001") - a *soft* tap, and the bullet is driven back into the case. I found this out the hard way and have 2K bullets sitting on a shelf waiting for the day I own a 9mm! Select a bullet which is a relatively short ogive and has the full .355" diameter along the length of the shank. Quite often these will be designated for use in the SIG round. I can't think of the name now, but Midway carries a budget brand bullet from an outfit in California which has worked quite well for me in terms of both cost and accuracy. It's a FMJ (fully enclosed as well), so only suitable for practice, not social encounters. I'm sure you can find Speer / Sierra / Hornady offerings designed specifically for the SIG in JHP.

    "There is nothing lower than the human race - except the French." (Mark Twain) ". . . And liberals / DemoWipes" (me)
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