Performance
The table below shows common performance parameters for several .357 SIG loads. Bullet weights ranging from 115 to 150 grains have been offered. Loads are available with energies from 488 (ft•lbf) to over 568 (ft•lbf), and penetration depths from 9 inches to over 16.5 inches are available for various applications and risk assessments.
| Manufacturer | Load | Mass (grains) | Velocity (ft/s) | Energy (ft•lbf) | Expansion (inches) | Penetration (inches) | PC (cu in) | TSC (cu in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triton | Quik-Shok | 115 | 1425 | 518 | frag | 9.0 | 4.1 | 43.2 (est) |
| Winchester | Ranger T | 125 | 1385 | 532 | 0.75 | 11.5 | 5.1 | 45.0 (est) |
| Federal | Premium JHP | 125 | 1430 | 568 | 0.62 | 12.7 | 3.8 | 49.5 (est) |
| Speer | Gold Dot JHP | 125 | 1385 | 532 | 0.68 | 16.5 | 6.0 | 45.0 (est) |
| Remington | JHP | 125 | 1350 | 506 | 0.57 | 14.3 | 3.6 | 41.7 (est) |
| Federal | Premium JHP | 150 | 1210 | 488 | 0.60 | 15.0 | 4.2 | 39.4 (est) |
Key:
Expansion – expanded bullet diameter (ballistic gelatin).
Penetration – penetration depth (ballistic gelatin).
PC – permanent cavity volume (ballistic gelatin, FBI method).
TSC – temporary stretch cavity volume (ballistic gelatin).
Because of its relatively high velocity for a handgun round, the .357 SIG has an unusually flat trajectory, extending the effective range. However, it does not quite reach the performance of the .357 Magnum with bullets heavier than 125 grains (8.1 g). Offsetting this general slight disadvantage in performance is that semi-automatic pistols tend to carry considerably more ammunition than revolvers.
The Virginia State Police has reported that attacking dogs have been stopped dead in their tracks by a single shot, whereas the former 147 grain 9 mm duty rounds would require multiple shots to incapacitate the animals. Proponents of the hydrostatic shock theory contend that the energy available in the .357 SIG is sufficient for imparting hydrostatic shock with well-designed bullets. Users have commented, "We're really impressed with the stopping power of the .357 SIG round."
The bottleneck shape of the .357 SIG cartridge makes feeding problems almost non-existent. This is because the bullet is channeled through the larger chamber before being seated entirely as the slide goes into full battery. Flat point bullets are seldom used with other autoloader platforms because of feeding problems; however, such bullets are commonly seen in the .357 SIG chambering and are quite reliable, as are hollow-point bullets.
The "Accurate Powder" reloading manuals claims that it is "without a doubt the most ballistically consistent handgun cartridge we have ever worked with."
Read more about this topic: .357 SIG
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