5.7 Loading Help/Advise

[cundiff5535]

Hey guys, I have loaded quite a bit in the last year... mostly on a Dillon 650! I am upgrading to a Super 1050 in the next few weeks so that is exciting for me

In saying that, I want to reload 5.7x28 as I have a 5.7 pistol, PS90, and Ar Five Seven... Ammo is getting hard to find and when I can find it, its extremly expensive... So, since I have primers, heads, powders, and well over 3k empty pieces of 5.7 brass... reloading only makes sense at this point.

My uncle is a retired LEO and has been reloading for 40+ years and he just got an Ar Five Seven as well... so we are thinking about buying the set up to load.

I already have a few single stage presses mounted to my bench (both are Rockchuckers).

My question is, what Dies do you all recommend? RCBS, Lee, Hornaday, or Redding...etc? The Redding 3 die set run around 125.00 and am willing to buy them but, I wanted to ask you all what you would do/go with?

I have also read that some shell holders are better than others... looking for help here!

Do you guys have any idea about case trimming these rounds? I have read that folks have run into a lot of issues with this specific case... Do you all have any hints or ideas to make this go smooth?

I got the bullets and load off ammo guide already so no help needed there at this point.

Looking forward to all the help/advise I can get here!

Thanks,
Bc

[M27]

I have never loaded 5.7 before, but at one point in time I was thinking about it, and two things that turned me off of it

1 there is a coating of some sort on 5.7 brass that you have to be careful not to remove while cleaning the brass, cob and walnut will remove it, best to use ultrasonic

2 It is very sensitive to powder discrepancies, every charge needs to be weighed to avoid a kaboom

it is just a temperamental cartridge, I also think it is fair to say that it is not a cartridge that lends it self to progressive reloading

once again, it can be done but it is defiantly not the same as loading 223 or 45

Make sure to post how they turn out

[the_tunaman]

I found the same when I was contemplating that caliber... I really wanted to to a AR57 and FN 5.7, but it sounds like it is just too much hassle and there are too many gotchas to make it worthwhile.

Damn TV shows... never would have given it a second thought if Coby hadn't showcased them! Cool looking cartridge, and cool results. Expensive solution all the way around.

Roger

[cundiff5535]

I agree... Just as a point, I would only load these on my single stage press. I one what you are taking shot with that coating as well... I'm still going to attempt it though .

Need more info and advice but, once I get what o need ill post results etc...

[MrSlippyFist]

I have been loading 5.7x28 for almost 10 years now. It's no more difficult than any other caliber once you get the hang of it. You just have to be very careful because with this one, it can be unforgiving. I used a Dillon550 for many years but started scaling back and now only use single stage presses. The 550 was fine for plinking loads but the variance was a tad high for my taste. There's lots of great info at fivesevenforum.com. Stay away from that 'other' FNH forum, it's full of star trek fanboys and pooftahs.

[NeverEnoughGuns]

cundiff5535- Any word on your attempt on loading these rounds? I'm contemplating on doing the same, but have also heard and read so many negatives. Just wanted to get your take on how it went?