Home Forums Reloading Handgun Reloading 357 sig.

Ok, here's the question. I'm and old fart. I've been reloading rifle, pistol and shotgun for over 60 years. I certainly don't claim to know everything about reloading after all those years. I have a 357 sig and shoot it in my Sig P226. While firing reloads that have been fired once or twice the gun fails for cycle about 50% of the time. It fires but doesn't cycle. What's going on? headspace? It is a bottle neck case. If so, how do I fix it? Any input and information would be most earnestly appreciated.

Thank you,
Hunter01

Pay attention to your overall length like with a standard pistol cartridge, also pay attention to your shoulder length like you would have bottleneck rifle you have to watch both. I always set my die like a rifle die
I always make sure and bump the shoulder back just just a bit 0.02 or so try for .01 but that doesn't always work. For me it seems like after the initial trimming you really don't have to trim but there's something to keep an eye on.

Thanks, I'll check the length. But I wouldn't think they'd of stretched that much. Also, I run the cases all the way down to the shell holder when I resize. ?????

How powerful, is your load?

I would also suspect the load power generation. If you like the load, you might try a less powerful recoil spring.

Medium load. Not mild, not hot. 8.0 gr. of Unique with 115 gr. bullet. app. 1300 fps.

I like the load. have shot it lots with no problems. But last batch fails to cycle sometimes. Maybe reloaded 3 times now. Would rather not get into changing springs, etc. Thanks.

If it is indeed a medium load, bump the powder charge up a couple of tenths or change powders. No guarantees but failure to eject is often due to insufficient recoil.

Maybe the spring is wore out? If that’s even possible not sure. I have a Glock 31 and with 1300 fps plus loads that thang is a handful. I need put a 20lb spring it. I changed my load from 12.5gr to 12.0gr of accurate #9 in mine with 124gr hi-tek coated bullets. But back to you if you been feeding it a steady diet of 1300 plus loads maybe time for a new spring.