357 Sig Mold

[SoonerEd]

Anyone load for a 357 Sig. Looking for insight on a mold to use. I know it needs a longer flat surface than some 9mm RN bullets. Does anyone know if the Lee 356-120-TC will work?

[44Blam]

I shoot this one:
https://accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=35-125YG

I also shoot it in 350 legend at 2500 fps. :shock:

[SoonerEd]

Thanks. Have you found the gas check to be necessary? Looks like the "Y" version is The PB version of yours. Have you tried the Lee 356-120-TC?

[zarrinvz24]

Supposedly the short neck makes .357Sig very difficult to load with Cast. I’ve heard a lot of people like the SAECO TC mold for it.

[cupajoe]

Lee 358-125-rf mold

[MT Gianni]

I would find it hard to cover a lube groove with the neck that short. PC or coated might work if you slowed it enough.

[SoonerEd]

Thanks. That’s what I’m concerned about.

[KAYDADOG]

This is the mold you would want or if you could find an identical other brand.
Saeco mold #377
122/gr TC-BB

Loaded and shot thousands and never had a problem feeding.
I don't think you would use a gas check on this bullet.

As far as reloading, when taper crimping, I have found that over crimping can cause the bullet to actually become loose.
Just something to be aware of and check when reloading this round.

Hope this helps.

[SoonerEd]

Thanks. I load j words for this bullet and have found a medium taper crimp works better than heavy as well. I tested by crimping different amounts and the seeing how many whacks with a kinetic puller it took to pull.

[honus]

Lee 356-120-TC, Powder Coated and crimped with a Lee Collet Factory Crimp die.

[dkf]

The Lee 356-120 will work but it is not optimal. I like the Ranch Dog 135gr 9mm bullet from NOE, the Accurate 35-147S works good. Many other work good too. You need a relatively short nose and plenty of straight bullet behind the nose for the neck to grip. A nose around .260" or shorter usually works well in the sig. I usually size to .358" so that helps neck tension also.

[fredj338]

Supposedly the short neck makes .357Sig very difficult to load with Cast. I’ve heard a lot of people like the SAECO TC mold for it.

I use the Saeco 124 gr molds works fine. If I wanted a dedicated lead bullet for the 357sig I would go to Accurate & get 35-125Y & PC them.

[SoonerEd]

Thanks the nose length is useful info

[Moonie]

The 120gr TC and the 125gr rnfp lee molds work well in the 357Sig, I load both of them in it. Accurate molds has some molds designed for the 357Sig as well. I have a new mp-molds 115gr TC that I might try. The thing I really like about the 125gr rnfp is that when you size the case to headspace on the shoulder you can crimp it in the groove to prevent bullet setback that can be a problem in this cartridge.

[Ia.redneck]

I agree with Moonie, headspace on the shoulder and use a roll crimp.
Works great!

[cupajoe]

Ditto on headspacing on the shoulder and a for real crimp.

[Sig556r]

Balance between enough crimp (minimize setback) & not squashing (undersizing) the boolit is a challenge especially with autoloaders.
Any PC'd short TC or FN should work once you figure the above with matching powder load (velocity).
I still get setback once in a while but just because I sometimes use converted 40SW brass (even shorter neck).
Good luck!