.357 SIg vs .357 MAG

Thanis · August 17th, 2008, 02:53 PM

Apples to orange comparison or apple to watermelon?

I’m just wondering if people looking at ballistics take into account the barrel sizes these rounds are shot from?

The MAG rounds tend to have larger barrels. If you are looking at the comparison, there would be an advantage if you were looking at a .357 MAG carbine 20” marlin rifle or even a 6” inch S&W revolver vs. .357 SIG standard Glock.

I don’t doubt the MAG is more powerful. Just wondering.

HotGuns · August 17th, 2008, 03:13 PM

The mag is more powerful and its alot more versatile.
You can use any bullet weight from 110 up to 180 and with the increased length in the barrel you can really get some velocity up if you reload. One of my books has data for a 125 gain bullet moving at a sizzling 1800 FPS. I have used that load and it has exellent accuracy, if you dont mind the sound and the recoil.

The .357 Sig has a much narrower band because it is specifically made to shoot in a semi auto.

THe .357 Sig and the .357 Mag share some common ground, but the .357 Sig load uses velocity that is in the medium range for the Mag.

Even so, the .357 Sig is a step up. While commercial ammo can be pretty sedate, reloads can speed up a bit as long as the gun functions well. Really, though for defensive purposes commercial ammo is plenty good to go.

One thing about the Sig that I have noticed is that it is very loud. When do qualifications shoots at the range, if 20 people are shooting and one or two of them are shooting .357 Sigs, you can always pick them out by the sound.

Some people dont like the recoil of the Sig because its a bit snappier with a bit more muzzle flip but if you are used to shooting bigger calibers it is not an issue.

The Magnum is still the standard that everything else is compared to...the 125 grainers having the nod for the one shot stop.

While the .357 Sig is a bit less, its still a pretty tough platform to use for self defense and from a reloading standpoint, you can use both 9mm bullets and .357 Mag bullets, within reason of course.

I've got a P226 Sig in .357 and I love it.

Mr. Chitlin · August 17th, 2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotGuns

and from a reloading standpoint, you can use both 9mm bullets and .357 Mag bullets, within reason of course.

Are you sure about this?? Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought that the SIG used .355 diameter bullets (9mm) and the Mag used .357 diameter bullets.

threefeathers · August 17th, 2008, 05:13 PM

357 Sig uses 357 diameter bullets. They are made by Sierra, Montana Gold, Hornady and a few others. I purchased 1K from Montana Gold and they shoot very well.

HotGuns · August 17th, 2008, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Chitlin

Are you sure about this?? Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought that the SIG used .355 diameter bullets (9mm) and the Mag used .357 diameter bullets.

You are correct.

You're only talking .002 difference. They work well together.
I have made target loads for the .357 with .355 bullets that shot very well.

Some bullets that are .357 actually mike anywhere from .356 to .358, depending on the brand used. Lead bullets are usually sized .001 over.

Mr. Chitlin · August 17th, 2008, 05:27 PM

MG shows their SIG bullets as .355.

Several reloading sites show 357 SIG bullet diameter as .355...

http://www.realguns.com/loads/357sig.htm

Reloading .357 SIG Page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.357_SIG

Mr. Chitlin · August 17th, 2008, 05:29 PM

Yep, lead usually runs .001 over jacketed.

HotGuns · August 17th, 2008, 05:31 PM

Most manufacturing data shows .357 Sig loads using .355 bullets. I use Accurate Arms reloading date for most stuff, that is what it shows.

bmcgilvray · August 17th, 2008, 09:27 PM

I'm firmly in the .357 Magnum camp. It is capable of more power and versatility.

The .357 SIG is pretty cool though. It's everything that the 9mm's been cracked up to be but isn't.

Thanis · August 18th, 2008, 07:25 PM

Don't want to insult anyone, but I'm really just asking about the ballistics.

As I said, I understand the advantages of the MAG, but for SD barrel sizes, I am having a hard time finding a good comparison.

Gunsmith (gunshop guy) provided a chart to compare a MAG vs SIG. I don't think it was a good comparison. The MAG was shot out of a barrel that was 1 to 1.5 " longer.

Have the different size barrel sizes been considered

August 17th, 2008, 02:53 PM	#1
Thanis Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: MI Posts: 531	.357 SIg vs .357 MAG Apples to orange comparison or apple to watermelon? I’m just wondering if people looking at ballistics take into account the barrel sizes these rounds are shot from? The MAG rounds tend to have larger barrels. If you are looking at the comparison, there would be an advantage if you were looking at a .357 MAG carbine 20” marlin rifle or even a 6” inch S&W revolver vs. .357 SIG standard Glock. I don’t doubt the MAG is more powerful. Just wondering.

August 17th, 2008, 03:13 PM	#2
HotGuns Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 5,174	The mag is more powerful and its alot more versatile. You can use any bullet weight from 110 up to 180 and with the increased length in the barrel you can really get some velocity up if you reload. One of my books has data for a 125 gain bullet moving at a sizzling 1800 FPS. I have used that load and it has exellent accuracy, if you dont mind the sound and the recoil. The .357 Sig has a much narrower band because it is specifically made to shoot in a semi auto. THe .357 Sig and the .357 Mag share some common ground, but the .357 Sig load uses velocity that is in the medium range for the Mag. Even so, the .357 Sig is a step up. While commercial ammo can be pretty sedate, reloads can speed up a bit as long as the gun functions well. Really, though for defensive purposes commercial ammo is plenty good to go. One thing about the Sig that I have noticed is that it is very loud. When do qualifications shoots at the range, if 20 people are shooting and one or two of them are shooting .357 Sigs, you can always pick them out by the sound. Some people dont like the recoil of the Sig because its a bit snappier with a bit more muzzle flip but if you are used to shooting bigger calibers it is not an issue. The Magnum is still the standard that everything else is compared to...the 125 grainers having the nod for the one shot stop. While the .357 Sig is a bit less, its still a pretty tough platform to use for self defense and from a reloading standpoint, you can use both 9mm bullets and .357 Mag bullets, within reason of course. I've got a P226 Sig in .357 and I love it. __________________ AR. CHL Instr. To achieve world government, it is necessary to remove from the minds of men, their individualism, loyalty to family traditions, national patriotism, and religious dogmas.' Dr. G. Brock Chisolm

August 17th, 2008, 05:31 PM	#8
HotGuns Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 5,174	Most manufacturing data shows .357 Sig loads using .355 bullets. I use Accurate Arms reloading date for most stuff, that is what it shows. __________________ AR. CHL Instr. To achieve world government, it is necessary to remove from the minds of men, their individualism, loyalty to family traditions, national patriotism, and religious dogmas.' Dr. G. Brock Chisolm

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August 17th, 2008, 05:13 PM	#4
threefeathers Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 247	357 Sig uses 357 diameter bullets. They are made by Sierra, Montana Gold, Hornady and a few others. I purchased 1K from Montana Gold and they shoot very well.

August 17th, 2008, 05:27 PM	#6
Mr. Chitlin Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Arkansas Posts: 42	MG shows their SIG bullets as .355. Several reloading sites show 357 SIG bullet diameter as .355... http://www.realguns.com/loads/357sig.htm Reloading .357 SIG Page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.357_SIG

August 17th, 2008, 05:29 PM	#7
Mr. Chitlin Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Arkansas Posts: 42	Yep, lead usually runs .001 over jacketed.

August 17th, 2008, 09:27 PM	#9
bmcgilvray Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Texas Posts: 1,150	I'm firmly in the .357 Magnum camp. It is capable of more power and versatility. The .357 SIG is pretty cool though. It's everything that the 9mm's been cracked up to be but isn't.

August 18th, 2008, 07:25 PM	#10
Thanis Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: MI Posts: 531	Don't want to insult anyone, but I'm really just asking about the ballistics. As I said, I understand the advantages of the MAG, but for SD barrel sizes, I am having a hard time finding a good comparison. Gunsmith (gunshop guy) provided a chart to compare a MAG vs SIG. I don't think it was a good comparison. The MAG was shot out of a barrel that was 1 to 1.5 " longer. Have the different size barrel sizes been considered