[JRP3]

Due to the price of these rounds I was interested in the possibility of reloading. I have done some research and have found there are some problems that can arrise when messing around with this cartridge.

1)Does anyone have any experience or knowledge with reloading this cartridge? It should also be stated that I have never done any reloading, so this probably wouldn't be a good round for me to learn with.

2)I beleive there was a thread somewhere on this board about beginner reloading, but I wasn't able to track it down. (Mostly due to laziness!) If anyone has any suggestions on equipment needed I would love to hear it. I would rather buy the right equipment in the beginning. By this I mean I don't have a problem forking over some cash for quality versatile equipment since I plan to do a fair amount of reloading in the future.

Thanks,

John

 

[mele]

Well, madgunsmith is our resident expert on reloading oddball cartridges... hopefully he can reply soon!

MEL

 

[madgunsmith]

I've never handloaded for that one.

But the round is another bottle necked pistol round. I have loaded for the 7.62x25mm Tokarev which is bottle necked.

Bottle necked pistol brass must be lubricated. And like rifle cases, bottle necked pistol calibers headspace on the datum line of the shoulder.

To load that new FN round, you will need dies. RCBS makes dies in any imaginable caliber, so I would contact them first. If necessary they would make your dies as a custom item.

I have no idea where to find data for the round. I would start by phoning Accurate Arms, 800-416-3006. And I'd ask them. Then perhaps I would call Sierra and ask them too.

For a bullet, I'd be tempted to try one of the Nosler ballistic tips.

Once you get some load data, you will be off to the races. Now please do not try loading this round without data. But I would bet that a slow pistol powder like H110 would be in order for this caliber.

Mad

 

[JRP3]

Thanks alot for the info Mad.

J

 

[Guest]

5.7x28mm dies are available from huntingtons as part no 56820

http://www.huntingtons.com

Mad

 

[madgunsmith]

The 5.7x28 is very similar to the .22 Hornet. Data for the two rounds are not interchangeable; however, a quick burning rifle powder or very slow burning pistol powder suitable for use in the Hornet will work in the 5.7x28.

So here is what I would do:

I would disassemble a few 5.7x28 rounds and I would weigh the powder charge. I would also chronograph a few rounds.

Then I would find a promising powder suitable for the .22 Hornet. I would probably use something like H110. I would take the charge weight from the 5.7x28 and reduce it by 15%.

I would use this number with H110 as my starting load. Then I would use a 40 grain Nosler bullet and I'd load one or two rounds. I would test fire these starting loads and chronograph them. I would take note of the appearance of the primer and ejection pattern and using the chronograph, I'd cautiously develop a functioning load.

And if I could get a velocity close to the factory load, I'd stop.

I'm thinking out loud here. I think H110 would work. But before actually doing anything, I'd check with Accurate Arms or Sierra.

It would be fun.

If you don't already have a 5.7x28, I have a better idea. Just buy a Taurus Raging Hornet in .22 Hornet. It will give you the same ballistic performance. And there's a lot more data for the Hornet.

Mad.

 

[Shoe]

Mad, I've never reloaded anything before in my life, but just hearing you explain the methodology of it made me want to go out and buy a FN 5.7x28 just for the fun of trying to reload it.

 

[Guest]

Please take note that thereis no data as yet for the 5.7x28mm.

I'm just thinking out loud. I'm pretty sure that H110 would work, but I don't want anyone to make any dangerous mistakes.

I think that IMR-4227 might work also. But the whole thing demands care and great attention to detail.

It would be fun, but unless one was super-careful, one could wear pistol parts home.

So I would discuss any possible loading project with Sierra or Accurate Arms first

Mad

 

[mele]

I knew Mad would come through for us! Great work mad! Its great having you on the site!

MEL

 

[madgunsmith]

I was thinking about this again overnight.

Now back in 1988, I used to load the 7.62x25mm Tokarev. I used to use 5.0 grains of Bullseye with some 86 grain bullets. I also used 4.0 grain of Bulleye with 100 grain bullets.

I had trouble finding proper 7.62x25mm brass, so I used to make brass from .223 cases. Anyway, Bullseye is a fast powder and I used this powder because of the load I found in Cartridges of the World.

The 7.2x25mm Tokarev is somewhat similar in case capacity to the 5.7x28mm. And maybe H110 would be too slow a propellant.

But using too much Bullseye in any case would be potentially very, very dangerous. It might be that something a little quicker than H110 would work.

Before actually experimenting with the 5.7x28, please check with the various ballistic labs. I have never actually seen a 5.7x28mm and I am just thinking out loud. Please don't do anything rash on my account. I will try to learn more about this round and I will try to keep everyone posted.

Mad

 

[JRP3]

Thanks again for all the info support. I won't be doing any loading for this round until I have a healthy amount of verified information.

John

 

[OLD TOUCH]

Safe Reloading !!

When reloading you should do this in a room where there are no distractions, you can double up on any componant except powder charge and not get hurt.
It may sound funny but a powder charge that is to LOW can be just as dangerous as one that is to high.
I allways consult a number of reloading manuals before setting up for a new load out and never start out loading MAX.
So far I agree with everything that Madgunsmith has had to say but where he says (RCBS) that = expensive, I say LEE Manufacturing they have the quality and the guaranty but at half the price.
Reloading can be fun and at the same time save you money, it is also a great way to get away from problems of the day that may weigh heavy on you as you can consentrate on just that perfect round you have been looking for, the exact match of powder type and charge to bullet weight for barrel leanghth and twistrate the one that leaves the barrel just so and finds the bullseye every time as though it knows just where you want it to go ( THE ZEN ) you might say.
Rusty

 

[OLD TOUCH]

FN 5.7x28

REEDS has the FN 5.7x28 USG on sale right now for $870.00, I have yet to find any load data for that round, REEDS does not have any in stock right at the moment but you can order it through them.
With out a stable base load to start with from a reliable source this is not a round for the inexperienced to experiment with if you care for your weapon.
Rusty

 

[madgunsmith]

I finally found some data for this round:

A starting load

6.8 grains of Accurate Arms AA9 with the 35 grain Hornady V max bullet.

Maximum load

7.8 grains of Accurate Arms AA9 with the 35 grain Hornady V max bullet.


The max load will produce between 2400 and 2500 fps from a 10 inch barrel.


Mad