357 sig and newbie brass question [Archive]

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trlcavscout

08-30-2010, 21:56

First what is the best plinking loads for the 357 sig? Best bullets? I will probably start useing unique powder since I bought that for the 9mm reloads. I will load some hotter loads in the future but for now just cheap plinking loads.

Also being new to pistol reloading how many times can you reuse brass before it gets loaded in the SHTF storage cans? 9mm mainly.

Thanks guys I am trying to pick up all the info I can. My 9mm loads have worked out pretty good so far with the exception of one bulged case? Still wanting to see how low I can go on the 9mm for GSSF loads, right now I am loading at 5.0gr unique, 124gr HSM bullets at 1.15" OAL and they work pretty good so I may stick with that.

fredj338

08-31-2010, 02:09

You need to use a truncatesd cone style bullets in the 357sg, most 9mm bullets will not work. Unique works in the 357sig, but you have to push it very hard to get close to factory vel. I load light 1200fps+ plinkers w/ 7gr. I prefer Longshot, BlueDot, PowerPistol, AA#7 & AA#9 all work for factory equiv loads. My current fav is LS w/ AA#7 close behind.
Brass life is very dependent of the pressure levels loaded. I have 45acp brass that has been loaded maybe 15X-20X, can't even tell what brand anymore, the head stamps are battered so much. The same can be done w/ 9mm if you stay off +P loads. At factory equvi loads, 10x would be a good safe count IMO.

trlcavscout

08-31-2010, 08:35

fredj338

08-31-2010, 12:18

Ok thanks. I dont plan on loading anything hot for a while at least. The rounds I use for work I will buy in 357 sig. When I loaded 308 I had the 2 die set so I wasnt sure on the 9mm with the 3 die set how much extra stretching wore them down.
The extra die is used for belling the case, It causes some add'l. work hardening, but don't over bell & the cases last quite awhile.