Has anyone here reloaded FN 5.7?

[sirhrmechanic]

There is a lot of conflicting info out on the Interwebs...

I understand there is a lot of sensitivity to powder weight. And they are a PITA.

But I can't believe that they are as hard as they are being made out to be. Attention to detail.... no different from working with precision rifle rounds.

Anyone experienced? Tips, processes, input, insight, warnings, etc?

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[Redeye3]

Yes, make subs for the ar57. I did load the 40s to just under 2000fps but that was the only development i did that wasn't trying to achieve subsonic fps.

Cleaned with light mixture of water/ simple green in ultrasonic cleaner for 1 25min cycle

Rest is pretty standard but Obviously powder charge for full power is critical. I think it was .6 difference between min and max?

I only used TrueBlue powder.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Were you using 55's?

I've heard TrueBlue is good for 5.7.

I was going to try No. 5.

I'd like to do subs, because I have fitted my PS90 for a can.

Cheers and thanks!

Sirhr

 

[Redeye3]

Were you using 55's?

I've heard TrueBlue is good for 5.7.

I was going to try No. 5.

I'd like to do subs, because I have fitted my PS90 for a can.

Cheers and thanks!

Sirhr

Yup i only loaded 53-62 grain for subs, i can pm pics of what i tried. I ended up settling with hornady 55zmaxs at 1015 consistently and accurate at a 100. I wouldn't be to worried with rifle reloading, Most concerns came from the pistol. I've also taken off the lacquer to check for feeding, no issues in the ar.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

For sure... any PM's with load data, OAL, etc. would be most helpful.

Again, I've looked at a lot of threads and posts on the reloading all over the 'Net. But I trust this community.

I have ordered a bunch of 40 grainers to try out. But would like to try some subsonic... or at least low vel.

Cheers and thanks again!

Sirhr

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Also came across some very detailed information about using Bullseye (which was one of the powders I thought might be ideal!)

I'll post some more when I start to develop up some load(s).

I am thinking about ordering a Contender barrel in 5.7 for load development. Won't put anything at risk that way... cheap insurance!

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[towerofpower93]

Been loading for my SBR'd PS90 for a few years.

Case prep is a little more detailed than the usual bottle necked fare, mainly due to needing to maintain the lacquer and the smaller size making trimming and the like more tedious.

I do prep on my 550B with an aftermarket shell plate and locator buttons 550, and another company has a setup for the XL650 650, though it's too rich for my blood based on how much I shoot my PS90. I also prime on the 550B before loading on a single stage with a powder thrower attached, though I'm thinking about moving the PM to station two on the 550B next time I load 5.7 to see if I can remove a step from the process.

I've been meaning to pick up some True Blue, as I hear it's the bees knees for this round, but when I first got into load dev, based off info from the on-again/off-again FiveseveN Forum, I picked up a pound of Win Auto Comp and Alliant Steel and am still making why way through them.

My attempts at getting 55gr Hornady FMJBT subs to run in my suppressed PS90 ended in a meh product, mainly due to mags popping out some of the time. I'd heard this is an issue others encountered, and is likely due to my powder choice, but I just never put the time into solving it once and for all.

For supers, I run 40gr VMAX over 5.4gr of Win Auto Comp and a Rem 7.5 primer. Nets me 2200fps, which is a little over 200fps faster than factory SS197SR.

I've got a spreadsheet with my load data available to any who would like it from my time at the bench for this round (standard 'work up safely' caveats apply. Located in northern VA, so DA is generally pretty low and I aim for 1,000fps for a sub to stay that way when it gets cold. I need to get back to it, since my LabRadar will make catching shots much easier than the optical chrono is was using/frustrated with back in 2014 when I was doing my load dev.

Would be interested in any load data others have, especially a sub load that functions well without popping the mag. Bullseye sounds like an interesting choice and I'd love to hear if it works out as I keep kegs of it around for 9 and 45.

ETA: attached the spreadsheet in a zip file

 

[towerofpower93]

Yes, make subs for the ar57. I did load the 40s to just under 2000fps but that was the only development i did that wasn't trying to achieve subsonic fps.

Cleaned with light mixture of water/ simple green in ultrasonic cleaner for 1 25min cycle

Rest is pretty standard but Obviously powder charge for full power is critical. I think it was .6 difference between min and max?

I only used TrueBlue powder.

What barrel length on that AR57 upper? Never got one as they never made a full-auto bolt available and I already had the SBR'd PS90 so the short barreled 5.7 itch was scratched.

If you don't mind sending your load data my way it'd be much appreciated to compare against mine. I can send some your way as well, if you'd like.

 

[2ndamendfan]

Great thread, keep it up. I have a bunch of 5.7 brass but have never attempted reloading it due to all the conflicting info out there.
I also dont shoot it much so not a big priority but hey I just can not throw brass away no matter what.

 

[Redeye3]

Figured i should put this in here?

 

[MarinePMI]

It's been a few years since I reloaded for it (when they first became available), but it was not for the faint of heart.

My biggest issue was the shell holder and the small (weak) rim. I kept snapping the rims off. Finally, I just turned a bushing and epoxied it into the shell holder primer hole. The hole was (at least back then) the standard large hole, and the case head was not supported enough, so the rim would snap off on the upstroke into the die. Once the SH was bushed, it was fine.

At some point I just said f' it, and bought ammo. It is a neat little round though, and I love my FiveseveN IOM pistol.

Edit: On a totally off topic, the empty cases measure out around .311 in diameter. As such, they make for some interesting bullets (when filled with lead) and loaded in a .303 rifle. Not stellar accuracy, but man those things mushroomed like nobody's business. I forget the weight off thetop of my head, as it was quite some years ago, when I farted wound with this make shift SHTF bullet making process. Guys over on NitroExpress were the ones that started the whole thing...