I have two Sigs, a 226 and a 229, both of which have 40 barrels and 357 Sig barrels. I have never shot the 357 Sig barrels since I didn't have any brass. Last weekend I got 500 + once fired mixed headstamp brass for 7ยข each. So, time to test some 357 Sig.
I am working up slow testing mostly cast bullets. The very short nose of the 357 Sig means not any 0.355" bullet will work. In fact my large stock of 124 grain tmj and 124 grain HST pulls both have too long a nose/ogive to crimp correctly in the case at a length that will fit the magazine.
I have about 1K 90 grain Gold Dots on hand - I also use these for giggles in 9X25 Dillon. I had maybe three dozen 125 grain gold dots that came with a stash I bought out. To my surprise the nose on my two SWC cast bullets will fit, but they seat deep in the case, especially the 152 grain.
The test loads are:
| Powder______ | Charge__ | Bullet________ | Weight__ | COAL___ | Exp Velocity | Exp Energy |
| Win 572 | 7.0 | Lead SWC | 130 | 1.130 | 1250 | 451 |
| Win 572 | 7.5 | Lead SWC | 130 | 1.130 | 1350 | 526 |
| Win 572 | 8.0 | Lead SWC | 130 | 1.130 | 1450 | 607 |
| Longshot | 6.5 | Lead SWC | 152 | 1.135 | 1150 | 446 |
| Longshot | 7.0 | Lead SWC | 152 | 1.135 | 1200 | 486 |
| Longshot | 7.5 | Lead SWC | 152 | 1.135 | 1250 | 527 |
| N350 | 7.2 | Speer HP | 125 | 1.140 | 1300 | 469 |
| N350 | 8.4 | Speer HP | 125 | 1.140 | 1450 | 583 |
| AA7 | 11.9 | Speer HP | 90 | 1.135 | 1550 | 480 |
| AA7 | 12.9 | Speer HP | 90 | 1.135 | 1700 | 577 |
Looking in this first stage to push to around 600 lb-ft loads. And to validate the cast bullets. I doubt the 152 grain is gonna do great. They are traditional lube and the lube groove is completely below the shoulder. I was wishing I had some powder coated of that bullet, but all the ones I had cast were already lube. I will PC some next time I cast. I may later try to push to 650-700 lb-ft.
Some of mine...
357 SIG
Lyman 125.0 gr Cast Devastator HP Dia. 0.356"
Alliant BE-86 8.4 gr
CCI 500 primer
COAL 1.1350"
Velocity 1375 fps LWD Glock 3.78" bbl
357 SIG
115.0 grain JHP Dia. 0.355"
Accurate Arms #9 13.2 grains
CCI Small Pistol 550 primer
COAL 1.1400"
Velocity 1450 fps LWD Glock 3.78" bbl
357 SIG
ZERO 121.0 gr JHP Dia. 0.356"
LongShot 9.6 grains
Winchester WSP primer
COAL 1.1350"
Velocity 1450 fps LWD Glock 3.78" bbl
Quote from: sqlbullet on August 21 2025 07:36:41 AM MDTI was wishing I had some powder coated of that bullet, but all the ones I had cast were already lube. I will PC some next time I cast. I may later try to push to 650-700 lb-ft.
That's the reason why I don't cast my own bullets. We can reproduce and make better than factory ammo with all variables, but the damn bullets, unless you would invest into some serious machinery.
If I would go down that route, I'd CNC machine my own copper projectiles like LH does. And on that high level it would need a higher 5 figure investment, and require its own garage space.
It makes no sense in my book to have great tools and supplies, just to water down the final results with some basic casts or some DIY powder coating.
For testing and training, I use Berry's copper plated bullets. They are electroplated with copper to their final weight, hence very little variation. 120 bucks for 1000 isn't that bad. If I would cast my own, it would cost me MUCH more, and my ladders would have a much wider spread.
I constantly check, Rocky Mountain Reloading, American Reloading, Northeast Reloading for second and pulled projectiles just incase something of interest comes out.
Gold Dot, HST and others...