Has any one had success casting for the 357 SIG?

[justingrosche]

I have the opprotunity to buy a 357 SIG barrel for my SIG 229, but I have reservations about the outcome of feeding it cast Booilts. Every handgun I own eats a lead only diet, and I don't relish the idea of having to buy jacketed bullets for this. So what has been your experience? Is shooting cast an exercise in futility?
Seems the mold choices are somewhat limited. What mold have you guys tried, and what was the outcome?

[M1A4ME]

I haven't shot lead through mine yet (M31 Glock) but that's one reason I bought the Lone Wolf barrel. We'll see how the purchased lead reloads do before I start casting my own though.

Everyone says the bottle neck shape of the .357 SIG really helps with feeding so I'm wondering if I might be able to get away with a semi-wadcutter type bullet, or at least a truncated cone style.

[btroj]

I think the very short neck is going to make finding suitable bullet designs a bit tough.
I woder if this is a cartridge like the 40 sw, not real cast friendly.

[justingrosche]

I have looked for something suitable, but the possibilities seem some what limited.
Seems fast enough to almost warrant a GC, but with that being the case where do you fit in a lube groove keep your OAL correct?
Puzzles me.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

I ran into a friend at the range that was shooting cast out of his Sig. He was using commercial cast 147gr bullets with Blue Dot and was having good results.

[justingrosche]

2nd, do you happen to remember what pistol he was shooting? Glock or Sig? This info is encouraging. I can put that combo together, I have the Lyman mold 356637. Thanks

[2ndAmendmentNut]

It was a full sized Sig, can't remember model # but I know it came with a 40S&W and 357Sig barrel.

[zxcvbob]

Lyman's manual says the neck is too short for cast bullets.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

True the 357Sig is not the most conducive for loading cast, but it can be done. Personally if I were going to give it a try I would go with a mould in the 125gr range and get one of those check maker tools that makes GCs for plain base Boolits. Actually now that I think about it I saw a group buy thread on a mould specifically with the 357Sig in mind.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

http://http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=122293&highlight=357sig (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=122293&highlight=357sig)
Found it!

[justingrosche]

2nd, I appreciate all of your advice, and the link to the thread.
I had seen the mentioned mold on Tom's site. After hearing the banter back and forth , I don't know if its worth the 200 to find out.
(the cost of the barrel and the Sig mold)
I guess if it was futile, I would still have a nice mold to try in the 9mm camp carbine.

[oldscool]

These work in my nephews sig.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/262259/hunters-supply-hard-cast-bullets-357-sig-356-diameter-125-grain-lead-flat-nose-box-of-250

[Ausglock]

G'day All.
Here in OZ we run commercial cast lead in 357Sig all the time for IPSC STD Div major power factor loads.

I run resized 40 S&W cases with 7.4Gr AP-100 with a 145 RN and a heavy crimp in a Glock 35 with a HPB (lissner) Barrel.
I have also run Minor factor loads using the Lee 105gr SWC .358 Boolit sized to .357.
This is a great little load. 4.5gr W231.
The Lee 125 RN lube groove boolit also works for me with 4.2gr WST.
OAL is 1.160"

[2ndAmendmentNut]

You can make 40s into 357sigs? I thought you could only make 357sig out of 10mm...

[Wayne Smith]

You can neck down 40 but they will be short.

[exile]

The nose must be short to work, I think. I tried loading a commercial cast 124 grain RN just to see if it would work, but the nose was too long. The only thing I have been able to fire in my Glock 32 has been Hornady XTP's. My biggest problem with .357 Sig is that I can't find the cases, they fly too far. So, I bought Storm Lake barrels in .40 S & W and 9mm instead. Expensive solution I guess, but that has been my Christmas present from my wife for the last two years.

exile

[rodsvet]

I use Saeco #924 4 cavity in linotype. The bullet comes out at 118 grain swc and has a gas check. I use around 12 grains of AA#9 and have no setback or leading from a 4 inch Sig 229. This also makes a good 9mm and hot 357 round too. Your results may vary, but mine have been positive. Rod