[tupelo_firearms]

Basically, can I use 9mm bullets in 357 sig brass? My Lyman manual tells me the dia. of the 9mm bullet is .355, and 357 sig bullet diameter is .3555? I know the OAL of the sig is shorter than the 9mm, but does that have anything to do with the bullet length? Weights are similar enough for me to work with.

May seem like a dumb question, but the Lyman doesn't specify, and the guy I'm 'apprenticing' under has never loaded anything in pistol calibers except straight wall cases. Thanks ahead of time.

 

[miker84]

I came real close to picking up a 357sig (after I got all that brass that you now have). I did a little research a while back and fortunately bookmarked the links. This is what I came up with.
http://www.reloadammo.com/357sig.htm

 

[tupelo_firearms]

Awesome link. Lots of info, powder comparisons on there. So it seems that I will be able to used a jacketed 9mm projectile.... awesome.

 

[nonnieselman]

the 357sig is a necked down 40sw case using a 9mm projectile.

So yea 9mm bullets is what its designed to use.

I loaded some 124gr for my boss's Sig and boy that thing is fast.

 

[Beaver Creek]

Just a word of caution loading the 357 Sig. I have had some experience loading this round and have found a couple of things to watch out for. The distance from the bullet base to the ogive is extremely important and should be sufficient to place a slight crimp without crimping on the radius of the bullet. If not crimped (or crimp is on the radius) there is a chance that during firing (some) rounds in the mag may back into the case causing extreme pressure increases. This can also happen as a bullet nose contacts the loading ramp as it chambers. That's why I have learned to use only bullets designed for 357 Sig NOT 9mm. Most 9mm FMJ bullets are not designed with enough flat area to crimp and still maintain proper OAL for functioning. The 357 Sig bullets have a longer tangent to allow for the crimp. Most pistol cartridges have a straight wall allowing a large area of contact between the case and bullet but not so with the necked down sig. I use AA#9 propellant as Mr. Smith suggests for 2 reasons. 1) It's a good powder and performs well with the caliber, 2) It provides for a slightly compressed load to help prevent the inward movement of the projectile if there is not enough case tension on the bullet.

 

[nonnieselman]

Very good info right there.. I learned something new..