5.7 reloading experience

mwmjones · August 10, 2013, 10:09 AM

Anyone here have any experience loading the 5.7 cal and could make any recommendations

reynolds357 · August 10, 2013, 11:04 PM

5.7mm? 5.7 bullets in general or a particular cartridge?

Sevens · August 10, 2013, 11:07 PM

I was going to attempt them, and then backed off.

I've offered my -UNUSED- die set for sale here, in two different areas, and haven't had even half a blip of interest.

It sure seems like so many avoid handloading this round.
I can tell you that I currently and actively load sixteen different calibers for handguns, and I elected to -NOT- work with 5.7x28.

Of course, that's just me.

reynolds357 · August 10, 2013, 11:15 PM

If you are referencing the 5.7X28Fn, then it is a tough cartridge to re-load. It does not give good case life due to the shoulder getting pushed up so far when it fires. Its a bit hard to size. I have re-loaded for it, but I quit shooting the pistol and it now resides in my safe.

mwmjones · August 11, 2013, 01:10 PM

Thanks for the info I will keep researching

Rangefinder · August 11, 2013, 11:08 PM

FN5.7 is a seriously touchy cartridge to reload. Very small case capacity, very high pressures, and no wiggle room or forgiveness. If everything isn't exact, you're loading a hand grenade. Good luck--after spending four months trying to work up a load that was both reliable and SAFE, I said screw it. I like my fingers where they are.

Magnum Wheel Man · August 12, 2013, 07:46 AM

WELL... OK it is a major pain, but certainly is reloadable... I forced myself to get it down, by buying 1000 once fired cases ( I had my 5.7 X 28 very early after they came out ) I have now sold my autoloader, but have a Contender barrel, so I still load for it...

cases are lacquered, which I guess slows the action down, by sticking slightly... well it makes the cases stick in the dies... can't tell you how many of the lil rims I pulled off in dies... finally after the suggestion of my old mentor buddy, I took a new pad, & lubed it with STP Oil Treatment, & never stuck a case again after that...

as mentioned, the shoulder is blown forward, so far when fired in the FN guns, that some cases are bad, right off the bat... so I was losing maybe 1-2 in 20 or 30 once fired cases & 4 in 10 after a 2nd firing, & 6 in 10 after a 3rd firing, when shooting them in my auto... I've never had a case make it to the 5th loading... so brass life is very short... that is, when fired in the FN's or any non fixed breach gun... with the Contender, the case is no different than any other, as far as the shoulder is concerned, & thus case life is better in the Contender...

from a reloading / recipe point of view, it's not really much different than loading for a Hornet or Fireball, once you get past the sticky case issue

mwmjones · August 14, 2013, 06:00 PM

which dies work the best?

mwmjones · August 14, 2013, 06:01 PM

and where can I find the components like the bullets and what types of powder do you reccomend as well please?

I have plenty of brass so far.

reynolds357 · August 14, 2013, 06:50 PM

I have Redding dies. I used Ramshot True Blue.

Magnum Wheel Man · August 15, 2013, 09:01 AM

I find the shell holder more important than the dies ( a good tight fit is required, so you don't pull the rim off ) I have one bad shell holder ( don't remember the brand... maybe RCBS ) & one good tight one, again, don't remember the brand

BTW... I like the Hornady New Dimension dies, for small calibers... they make seating little bullets in small cases easier, & I see they offer them in 5.7 X 28... I don't have the Hornady dies for my 5.7, but I'd probably buy the New Dimension dies if I needed some today...

I kinda like the lighter Hornet bullets for use in the 5.7... like the 40 grain & lighter bullets from this list at Midway

http://www.midwayusa.com/find?sortby...ensionid=15800

mwmjones · August 15, 2013, 10:28 AM

Great information evryone

THANKS I will check them out

darkgael · August 15, 2013, 06:37 PM

Redding dies. Ramshot True Blue. Yes.
I have also loaded with Accurate #7 and #9. I have tried Unique, 2400, HS-6, HS-7 (no longer available), and even 4064.
Much of that was before there was any load data available from powder manufacturers. I did not blow up anything, nor did I damage the gun.
I have used bullets weighing from 35 grains up to 55 grains. Some loads have proven startlingly accurate - four inches at one hundred yards with a factory semiauto...more than once or twice.
There is no denying that it is a trying little beast to load. Often the difference between start loads and max loads is only tenths of a grain.
And the shoulder.....even if the case is not ruined during firing, moving the shoulder back and then firing it forward work hardens them in short order and then case separation and bits of neck stuck in the chamber start to occur.
Ya gotta be careful. Ya need a good scale.
Pete

mwmjones · August 16, 2013, 12:15 PM

What about the IMR, Reloaders or Ramshot powders?

reynolds357 · August 16, 2013, 03:15 PM

True blue is Ramshots best powder for the 5.7x28. You can use anything you can find data for.

mwmjones · August 16, 2013, 07:30 PM

oh OK good to know

Thanks for all the great info

darkgael · August 17, 2013, 07:46 AM

I have seen factory data from only two manufacturers...Accurate and Ramshot.
Both data sheets include the note that this is an "extremely sensitive" cartridge to load. My own experience bears this out. Data is for Accurate #5 and #7, Ramshot True Blue.
You need a good scale.
Pete

August 10, 2013, 10:09 AM	#1
mwmjones Member Join Date: December 4, 2001 Posts: 77	5.7 reloading experience Anyone here have any experience loading the 5.7 cal and could make any recommendations

August 10, 2013, 11:07 PM	#3
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	I was going to attempt them, and then backed off. I've offered my -UNUSED- die set for sale here, in two different areas, and haven't had even half a blip of interest. It sure seems like so many avoid handloading this round. I can tell you that I currently and actively load sixteen different calibers for handguns, and I elected to -NOT- work with 5.7x28. Of course, that's just me. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

August 11, 2013, 11:08 PM	#6
Rangefinder Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2005 Posts: 2,017	FN5.7 is a seriously touchy cartridge to reload. Very small case capacity, very high pressures, and no wiggle room or forgiveness. If everything isn't exact, you're loading a hand grenade. Good luck--after spending four months trying to work up a load that was both reliable and SAFE, I said screw it. I like my fingers where they are. __________________ "Why is is called Common Sense when it seems so few actually possess it?" Guns only have two enemies: Rust and Politicians.

August 15, 2013, 09:01 AM	#11
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	I find the shell holder more important than the dies ( a good tight fit is required, so you don't pull the rim off ) I have one bad shell holder ( don't remember the brand... maybe RCBS ) & one good tight one, again, don't remember the brand BTW... I like the Hornady New Dimension dies, for small calibers... they make seating little bullets in small cases easier, & I see they offer them in 5.7 X 28... I don't have the Hornady dies for my 5.7, but I'd probably buy the New Dimension dies if I needed some today... I kinda like the lighter Hornet bullets for use in the 5.7... like the 40 grain & lighter bullets from this list at Midway http://www.midwayusa.com/find?sortby...ensionid=15800 __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust... Last edited by Magnum Wheel Man; August 15, 2013 at 09:07 AM.

August 15, 2013, 06:37 PM	#13
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	5.7 Redding dies. Ramshot True Blue. Yes. I have also loaded with Accurate #7 and #9. I have tried Unique, 2400, HS-6, HS-7 (no longer available), and even 4064. Much of that was before there was any load data available from powder manufacturers. I did not blow up anything, nor did I damage the gun. I have used bullets weighing from 35 grains up to 55 grains. Some loads have proven startlingly accurate - four inches at one hundred yards with a factory semiauto...more than once or twice. There is no denying that it is a trying little beast to load. Often the difference between start loads and max loads is only tenths of a grain. And the shoulder.....even if the case is not ruined during firing, moving the shoulder back and then firing it forward work hardens them in short order and then case separation and bits of neck stuck in the chamber start to occur. Ya gotta be careful. Ya need a good scale. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

August 10, 2013, 11:04 PM	#2
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	5.7mm? 5.7 bullets in general or a particular cartridge?

August 10, 2013, 11:15 PM	#4
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	If you are referencing the 5.7X28Fn, then it is a tough cartridge to re-load. It does not give good case life due to the shoulder getting pushed up so far when it fires. Its a bit hard to size. I have re-loaded for it, but I quit shooting the pistol and it now resides in my safe.

August 11, 2013, 01:10 PM	#5
mwmjones Member Join Date: December 4, 2001 Posts: 77	Thanks for the info I will keep researching

August 12, 2013, 07:46 AM	#7
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	WELL... OK it is a major pain, but certainly is reloadable... I forced myself to get it down, by buying 1000 once fired cases ( I had my 5.7 X 28 very early after they came out ) I have now sold my autoloader, but have a Contender barrel, so I still load for it... cases are lacquered, which I guess slows the action down, by sticking slightly... well it makes the cases stick in the dies... can't tell you how many of the lil rims I pulled off in dies... finally after the suggestion of my old mentor buddy, I took a new pad, & lubed it with STP Oil Treatment, & never stuck a case again after that... as mentioned, the shoulder is blown forward, so far when fired in the FN guns, that some cases are bad, right off the bat... so I was losing maybe 1-2 in 20 or 30 once fired cases & 4 in 10 after a 2nd firing, & 6 in 10 after a 3rd firing, when shooting them in my auto... I've never had a case make it to the 5th loading... so brass life is very short... that is, when fired in the FN's or any non fixed breach gun... with the Contender, the case is no different than any other, as far as the shoulder is concerned, & thus case life is better in the Contender... from a reloading / recipe point of view, it's not really much different than loading for a Hornet or Fireball, once you get past the sticky case issue __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

August 14, 2013, 06:00 PM	#8
mwmjones Member Join Date: December 4, 2001 Posts: 77	which dies work the best?

August 14, 2013, 06:01 PM	#9
mwmjones Member Join Date: December 4, 2001 Posts: 77	and where can I find the components like the bullets and what types of powder do you reccomend as well please? I have plenty of brass so far.

August 14, 2013, 06:50 PM	#10
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	I have Redding dies. I used Ramshot True Blue.

August 15, 2013, 10:28 AM	#12
mwmjones Member Join Date: December 4, 2001 Posts: 77	Great information evryone THANKS I will check them out

August 16, 2013, 12:15 PM	#14
mwmjones Member Join Date: December 4, 2001 Posts: 77	What about the IMR, Reloaders or Ramshot powders?

August 16, 2013, 03:15 PM	#15
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	True blue is Ramshots best powder for the 5.7x28. You can use anything you can find data for.

August 16, 2013, 07:30 PM	#16
mwmjones Member Join Date: December 4, 2001 Posts: 77	oh OK good to know Thanks for all the great info

August 17, 2013, 07:46 AM	#17
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	Data I have seen factory data from only two manufacturers...Accurate and Ramshot. Both data sheets include the note that this is an "extremely sensitive" cartridge to load. My own experience bears this out. Data is for Accurate #5 and #7, Ramshot True Blue. You need a good scale. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member