Loading for the 357 Sig?

[submoa1]

Do you resize and load the 357 Sig just like any bottleneck cartridge or is there something special? I want to try out the cartridge but I like to load all my ammo myself, is this a worth while cartridge to load for or is it better to just stick with regular 9mm or 40 SW?

Any experience shared would be greatly appreciated.

[himurax13]

From what I have been told, reloading .357 Sig takes about the same effort as reloading a bottleneck rifle cartridge. Reloading regular straight wall pistol cartridges is far easier.

[shinbone]

I reload 357, and it isn't "far" more difficult. I have to add in a tumble step between sizing/decapping to clean off lube. Lee only makes steel dies, and considering its a bottleneck, it feels safer to lube the cases. Expanding is the same. Charging is the same. Seating is the same, except you must be sure of your roll crimp. Bullet setback can be a problem with the 357sig case. Finally, to load 357sig for what it was intended for- all it is really is a 9mm +p++ - you can't be using lead bullets, and plated might give you problems. JHP or FMJ only if you want to push to the velocities it was intended for.

I load 357sig because its fun and unique. As of right now, I only have plated bullets, so Im finding myself keeping the charges very light. People ask me what the point is since its pretty much just a 9mm at the velocities I push.. Nice soft recoil and a big bright fireball

So there isn't an advantage really if youre not going to run standard to max loads with FMJ or JHP bullets.