Two Box REBUILDS: 357 Sig & 22LR

Rebuilt using Solid Poplar to replace plywood .. plus larger corner radius and removed corner brackets....

New Box .. Two boxes Complement in Internal size Inserts

Standard High End Cigar Box & Hand Made Box .. both same internal size

45 ACP .. and .. 357 Sig

 

Two Calibers .. One Box

 357 Sig and 45 ACP...both 9x7: 63 Rounds each.

Cigar Box conversions plus custom boxes

.22LR, 9mm, 357 Sig, 38 Spc., 45 ACP, 45 Colt & 12 Gauge.

 

Three Boxes inprocess ... WIP ... UPDATE: Jan 23rd.

Rebuilding 3 boxes using Foam to replace wood inserts:

UPDATE:  Finished: 1) 38 Spc & 2) 357 Sig ...

Four Gun Case: 4 Center Fire Semi-Auto Pistols.

 

357 Sig … Update: … Case Resizing Complete

Having loaded 1,000 round on the XL 650, using a Dillon Carbide Die set.

I had 26 loads that failed the “L E Wilson Case Gauge” inspection. All exhibited a slight “case bulge”  near the case base .. often referred to as the “Glock Bulge”.  These 26 cartridges were successfully ran through the Lee Factory 40 S&W die set up for Sizing the 357 Sig cases.

UPDATE:  Now all the loaded ammo passed the case gauge .. on to the range:

Brass Re-Sizing .. A tool from Lee Precision

Lee Bulge Buster Kit  … This push through die adapter will remove the bulge rings that shell holder constrained dies simply can't reach. The Bulge Buster Kit includes:  extension sleeve, push through punch, catch container and complete instructions. Works with these rimless cases:  380 ACP, 10mm, 40 S&W, (357 Sig) 41 AE, 45 ACP, 45 GAP, and 45 Win Mag.  Supplier:  MIDWAY .. $15.79 .. Use as directed in combination with Lee Factory Crimp Die. (cutaway view shows a 38 Special Rimmed Cartridge, not a push through)

NOTE: Lee Factory 40 S&W Crimp Die is now with Bulge Buster Kit. Ready for use. USED for: 357 Sig Range Brass fired from a Glock

NOTE:  9mm cases are not able to be used in the Bulge Buster because it has a slightly tapered case and the rim is not completely flush with the case.  See how I manage Re-Sizing 9mm in Previous Post.

I’ve set this die in my Redding T-7 Turret Press .. Although not designated for the 357 SIG case. It can be used to Re-Size / De-Bulge, the Main Body as it is same dimensions as the 40 S&W,  OD: 10.77mm or 0.424”

Chronicles of working-up loads for my 357-SIG

357-SIG: A General Purpose Load: Load GP#1 .. 9.0 grs of AA #5 stays within Mfg. recommended Max Load.

357-SIG: A Paper Target Load: Load PT#1

Two useful loads that work for me. Load GP#1 makes use of Re-sized bullets to 0.3558” diameter.  This allows me to stock 38/357 125gr FP bullets and use them to generate loads for: 38 special, 357 Magnum and 357 SIG. A lesson from; “Lean Manufacturing – Flexible Inventory.”

Manufacturers load ranges for 357-SIG; Hodgdon and Accurate Arms .. check their web sites.Future Plans:

1) 357 SIG: Next step is to Re-Size 38 Special, 158gr SWC bullets to 0.3558 and verify velocity. If all is ok this will be PT Load #2

2) 9mm Luger; develop a re-sizing process for 0.357” diameter bullets to 0.355”.

Ideas are to use a two-step process: 0.357” to 0.356”, then 0.356” to 0.355”. A one step resizing from 0.357” to 0.355” will be tried.

Outline of test plan that determined my optimal loading from me using SIG 357 Semi-auto Pistols.

The Basic plan is to use my previous load as a baseline, test number 4. Setting up these experiments is fine when you have total control, but using a public indoor range, forces one to make accommodations and concessions.

The tables chronicle the test sequences and variables of empirical data and results. The relative feelings experienced during the shooting and general satisfaction with said results, are a major factor to consider.

All range shooting is Free-Hand shooting. no pistol rest. So natural variability is built in .. My quest is to find what works for me.

Dual, side by side targets set at three distances for each test. Sig P229S – Five shots at each target. An eight by three matrix requires: 8x3x10 = 240 rounds and 8x2x3 = 48 targets. Prior to a test run seventeen round of Blazer commercial ammo was shot to warm up the pistol (when shot at different times/days) Velocity averages are 10 shots over the chronograph, prior to shooting the targets.

357-SIG: Bullet Prep a slightly controversial approach.

There is a veritable plethora of published Information and Data, regarding the “Bullet Diameter” best suited to this bottlenecked pistol cartridge.  Published Opinions vary. So I set about finding what works for my needs.Having loaded a number of 357 SIG rounds using Bullets designated for 38 Special / 357 Magnum (.357” Dia.) with no problems, I’ve decided to experiment and find an optimum load that works for me. My guns chambered in 357 SIG (they are Sig Sauer Semi-Auto pistols) perform best using; of all things, Blazer ammo. (commercial ammo)

NOTE: Aluminum Cases are designated as a onetime use; yes some folks have reloaded them, just NOT ME So a number of empirical experiments ensued. The parameters that varied: Powder Charge, Bullet Diameter and Bullet Weight. The result is a very good load for my guns using; Bass Shell Casings and Resized 357 Bullets, propelled by Accurate Arms #5 powder.

Re-Sizing: Copper Plated Bullets.

Resizing / Swaging Cast Lead Bullets is an everyday occurrence within the reloading community. Not so with Copper Plated Bullets.  Bullet suppliers; X-TREME Bullets and Berry’s Manufacturing, are my choice.

Using: Lee .356 Lube and Size Kit. Fits standard reloading press 7/8 x14 TPI.   Purchased from Brownells; $18.99

As seen in the Lee instruction pamphlet, using their sizing die is simplicity personified. 

I use a Redding T-7 press for various reloading tasks (not volume pistol reloading)  purchased from Brownells; $249.99. Cast Iron construction, easy to use compound linkage, seven station turret.Processing 1,000 bullets in four batches of approximately 250 works for me.  Keep a Clean and Organized work area. Set-up an area for overnight drying of the bullets with applied Lube.   For this type of processing I mount the press on my; general purpose, Butcher-block work bench. This provides a stable large open work space.

1,000: 38/357 Caliber, 125gr FP with Cannelure.As-Is diameter: 0.357”  Average Re-Sized Diameter: 0.3558”Batch of approx. 250+ lubed bullets await re-sizing.  Approximately 500 bullets finish off drying, after Lube removal.

357 SIG More Loads

Using standard 357 bullets has worked out well.  Examination of, Once Fired, brass cases showed no untoward stress signs. Brass Body is in great shape, spent primers had NO bulging.Note: X-TREME Bullets is the Old Western Nevada Co.
 
Next loading run is planned and all set-up ready to go.
Bullet: 38-158 grain Flat Point', Powder Charge: 7.8 grains

Total run of 1,200 rounds using New Brass

Today I picked some consumables and a couple of much need hardware items Dillon’s D-Terminator Electronic Scale (my other one is 12yrs old) & Tool-head Stand

Re-Loading 357 SIG

357-SIG is a fairly exotic cartridge in realms of Non-Government agency shooters. As such only a few folks have published any “original / experimental” Load Data.   The various commercial data reference books all present; SAFE, Conservative and highly caveated  recommendations. So off we go into uncharted (‘till now) territory
REF: 347 SIG cartridge size chart .. in Millimeters My quest is to load “Standard 38 Special / 357 Magnum Bullets into the 357 Sig Shell Casing. The only recommended Bullets are the Standard 9mm Parabellum at: 0.355” Diameter and a Designated 357 SIG Bullet of 0.356” Diameter. The Standard 38/357 bullet diameter is: 0.357
Load tables for Accurate Arms No. 5 powder only go to a 147Grain weight. My plan is to use a 158 Grain Semi-Wad-Cutter. Measured at an average diameter of: 0.3569 over 100 samples.
Non Variable components: Gun-Sig Sauer P229S, AA No. 5 Powder and 158 gr SWC bullets.
The variable is Powder Charge
Extrapolating data from Data Ref. sources, I have established a range of loads to try. Guard-Banded at the top end; 7.7 Grains  Setting up a set of Trial Loads: 7.0 gr to 7.7 gr.  This allow for +/- tolerances of:  a) Powder Mfg. (3% consistency batch to batch) and measuring scale +/- 0.1 Grain.