.357 sig reloading using .40 cal brass

sandman

sandman

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Y'All, I've been trying to figure out if .40 caliber brass can be safely used to make .357 sig ammo. I've come across mixed reviews in trying to find out, but never actually spoke with someone who has relaoded it this way.

I just purchased a Glock 31 (.357 sig) under the impression that reloading would be cheap......hope I didn't jump the gun.
If anyone out there can answer my question, it would be much appreciated.
Also, if you can send me some load data on this....as I haven't found any data for using titegroup.
Thanks in advance,
 
It will be .020" short. At least it may cause light strikes, an annoying thing in Glocks. At worst I guess the case could give out, being deigned for 35k PSI and not the 40k the .357 runs at. Use .357 Sig brass.
 
From Wikipedia

"Handloading

Although the .357 SIG design is based on the .40 S&W case, handloaders cannot form .40 S&W cases into .357 SIG brass. While the two cases are identical in rim diameter, using the .40 S&W case will result in a case that is approximately 0.020 in (0.508 mm) too short. Unlike most bottlenecked cartridges, the .357 SIG headspaces on the case mouth.[12] Cartridges that are too short can result in malfunctions which may cause serious injury. Furthermore, the SAAMI limit is lower for the .40 cartridge at 35,000 PSI, than the 40,000 PSI for the .357 SIG.

While some people have attempted to form .357 SIG cases from 10 mm Auto cases, this is rather impractical. First of all, the change in primer type (10 mm uses large pistol primers, .357 SIG uses small pistol primers) would require that known recipes be scrapped, and second, the cost of using expensive 10 mm brass for such a purpose would certainly defeat the goal of saving money by reloading. Both unfired and once-fired .357 SIG brass are readily available at low cost from several well-known vendors.
Choosing the correct bullet type is extremely important when handloading the .357 SIG cartridge. The short neck of the casing makes the use of standard round-nosed bullets impractical: there is simply not enough flat area for the neck to "grip" the bullet, so flat-point bullets are used. Various 9 mm hollow-point bullets can also be successfully used, but due to the wide variety of choice, the chances of success vary from one brand to another."
 
I have picked up range brass after a match and the very odd time i have seen 40S&w formed into 357 sig but never seen one in action

you could pick up a 40S&w or a 10mm barrel and convert but not shure what it would involve ?? paper work ??? barrel & spring ??

went through scrap bucket found 2 - 40S&w formed into 357 sig (RP brass one of the 2 has a split neck) --- ps neck looks real short

found 14 10mm necked down to 9mm (same length as 10 mm brass) (not 357 sig)
 
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just having some fun said:
I have picked up range brass after a match and the very odd time i have seen 40S&w formed into 357 sig but never seen one in action

you could pick up a 40S&w or a 10mm barrel and convert but not shure what it would involve ?? paper work ??? barrel & spring ??
Click to expand...

being myself on the route of swapping a barrel, I'm told we can order direct from storm lake barrels, questar handles the paperwork as they are the canadian distributor, no extra fees if i'm not mistaken. Cool thing with storm lake barrels is that you can customize your barrel to your specs: threaded or not, ramped or not, caliber, etc.
 
Just a few days ago, I got two .357 SIG SS 5.5" long conversion barrels for my G22.
So i went looking for some .357 SIG ammo, to try them out.
I could NOT find any .357 SIG ammo in Victoria.
Fortunately,
I found a case of 1000 rds of Rem .357 Sig 125 Gr FMJs at last weeks Victoria gunshow. So I bought the whole dam case.
reloading problems solved ...
for a while anyhow.
[;{)
 
Lazerus2000 said:
Just a few days ago, I got two .357 SIG SS 5.5" long conversion barrels for my G22.
So i went looking for some .357 SIG ammo, to try them out.
I could NOT find any .357 SIG ammo in Victoria.
Fortunately,
I found a case of 1000 rds of Rem .357 Sig 125 Gr FMJs at last weeks Victoria gunshow. So I bought the whole dam case.
reloading problems solved ...
for a while anyhow.
[;{)
Click to expand...

That was on Murry Charlton's table I believe and at $20 a 50 I thought that was a deal for someone with that caliber.:rockOn:
 
just having some fun said:
I have picked up range brass after a match and the very odd time i have seen 40S&w formed into 357 sig but never seen one in action

you could pick up a 40S&w or a 10mm barrel and convert but not shure what it would involve ?? paper work ??? barrel & spring ??

went through scrap bucket found 2 - 40S&w formed into 357 sig (RP brass one of the 2 has a split neck) --- ps neck looks real short

found 14 10mm necked down to 9mm (same length as 10 mm brass) (not 357 sig)
Click to expand...

It's called 9x40 and it's a .40 case necked down to 9mm. Helps with cost I guess. The other is 9x25, a very flashy and powerful cartridge.
 
I don't have time to tread the whole thread now, but in short, sandman, .357Sig brass isn't as rare as you think. I bought 200 pieces from Higginson and keep reloading'em, they last forever.
 
357 sig

sandman said:
Y'All, I've been trying to figure out if .40 caliber brass can be safely used to make .357 sig ammo. I've come across mixed reviews in trying to find out, but never actually spoke with someone who has relaoded it this way.

I just purchased a Glock 31 (.357 sig) under the impression that reloading would be cheap......hope I didn't jump the gun.
If anyone out there can answer my question, it would be much appreciated.
Also, if you can send me some load data on this....as I haven't found any data for using titegroup.
Thanks in advance,
Click to expand...
i got a 357 sig 226. and i reload with the 40sw and 10mm cases. without any problem. the 40sw case would be a little short. but after a couple of resize, it will be longer, i use 2400 powder just for the fire work.
hope this help.
DSC00029.jpg
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B said:
Using 10mm casings to load .357 sig? I wish I had money to burn.
Click to expand...
i use 10 mm case for the large primer and i think the case is stronger. i am pushing it to 1400 f/s with 125 gr. fmj to a true 357 mag. velocity.:)
 
357 Sig brass also available from Starline. If I remember.....$85 / 500 I just bought a 357 Sig barrel for my P226R. I plan on using 40 S&W brass.
 
.357 sig

Not to single anyone out but why comment on something people don't have any knowledge about ? I have loaded both brand new sig. brass from starline and .40 brass necked done. No issues with either ! I use .40 brass roll sized from Wolf Reloading, small rifle primers, 9.6grs. HS6, 124gr. Aim projectile. Makes 170 power factor in my STI open gun with a 38 super barrel rechambered to .357sig. I use dillon case lube just to size a little easier. I run a recoil master with a light spring. Very accurate. To my knowledge there are about 6 people in Ontario so far competing in IPSC open class. You will never see me crawling around looking for brass as .40 is cheap.
 
mike v said:
Not to single anyone out but why comment on something people don't have any knowledge about ? I have loaded both brand new sig. brass from starline and .40 brass necked done. No issues with either ! I use .40 brass roll sized from Wolf Reloading, small rifle primers, 9.6grs. HS6, 124gr. Aim projectile. Makes 170 power factor in my STI open gun with a 38 super barrel rechambered to .357sig. I use dillon case lube just to size a little easier. I run a recoil master with a light spring. Very accurate. To my knowledge there are about 6 people in Ontario so far competing in IPSC open class. You will never see me crawling around looking for brass as .40 is cheap.
Click to expand...

This is a more common caliber in BC and has been for many years (Nick K and Gunnar worked up the load eons ago). Other than re chambering your barrel, did you have to do anything else? I assume you had to get different mags. A buddy of mine is thinking about doing it an he seems to be getting some conflicting information...
 
mike v said:
Not to single anyone out but why comment on something people don't have any knowledge about ? I have loaded both brand new sig. brass from starline and .40 brass necked done. No issues with either ! I use .40 brass roll sized from Wolf Reloading, small rifle primers, 9.6grs. HS6, 124gr. Aim projectile. Makes 170 power factor in my STI open gun with a 38 super barrel rechambered to .357sig. I use dillon case lube just to size a little easier. I run a recoil master with a light spring. Very accurate. To my knowledge there are about 6 people in Ontario so far competing in IPSC open class. You will never see me crawling around looking for brass as .40 is cheap.
Click to expand...

So you are using short brass in your gun and we are wrong? What you are using is called 9x40. If it's working in your .357 sig gun then good for you. It isn't proper and likely won't work very well for most.
 
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