5.7x28 reloading

[CZbob9]

I wanna hear some reasoning from you guys. Dat gum if I didn't go to Cabelas today and look at a FN Five Seven. They had one and I liked it a decent bit and could put it on my Cabelas card. But I just couldn't throw the line in the water. I got scared that I wouldn't be able to feed it if I did get it. Does anyone here reload for this round? Do you guys think its possible at all to cast for it? Is there any hope at all or should I just forget it?

[rancher1913]

what little i have heard is its a pain to reload, powder must be precise, lots of problems with overpressure. one of my friends has one he uses to shot prairie dogs and its deadly accurate but very expensive to feed.

[Texas by God]

Very expensive to buy also.
My nephew has one. It shoots okay, but in my opinion it's the answer in search of a question.

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[CZbob9]

Very expensive to buy also.
My nephew has one. It shoots okay, but in my opinion it's the answer in search of a question.

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

Seems like it. I really like the idea behind it, was thinking I could use the Dillon 550 I bought to load for it. Seems like it could be a problem though dang I don't know if I should bother

[kayala]

I've considered one as well but after reading about reloading this round gave up on the idea. Dillon doesn't make caliber change for 5.7, their position was that case is not suitable for progressive reloading. One of the concerns was that case have to be trimmed pretty much after every firing. Also case has special coating to help with extraction so it can't be tumble cleaned. Very limited powder choices and safe range is very narrow. I know people reload this round but I gave up after reading about it and with that I gave up on FN or Ruger 5.7 offering cause I don't like to have a centerfire cartridge that I can't reload.

[Soundguy]

I have a ruger 5-7

Ammo is starting to come down and is available at shows.. depending on what type you get.. expect 50-90$ a box depending on the ammo type.. but it is out there.

Now.. that said.. I do reload for it. I used to reload hornady 40gr xtp projectiles for it.. but now cast my own 40gr gas checked ones using an MP mold.

Yes.. as with any reloading.. you need to be PRECISE with your powder,, just like any other high pressure small case volume cartridge.

My learning curve was quick due to talking to others that -tried- to reload for it. I had a buddy in Georgia that unsuccessfully reloaded for it when he had a fn 57 and a ps90. he never got a round to cycle though was able to make single shot rounds for his contender. he ended up sending me a quart bag full of 1x brass. I picked up a set of lee dies.. ( he had rcbs ). I set mine up.. I crushed exactly 1 case neck learning to setup the cartridge. After that all my cartridges fed manually racking the slide, and by firing. Upon hearing that, my buddy in georgia asked me to size a few cases for him and send them to me un loaded, and 1 as a dummy so he could see if he could setup his dies using my brass. I did, and it worked. He is now making working 5.7 ammo as well.

So.. it is very doable... and I used lee dies too. PS... I cleaned the cases.. lots of people make a big deal about the factory coating on the cases.. it makes some difference in lubricity.. but you can get around it. At least for the handguns anyway... maybe the ps90 is more picky... dunno?

[CZbob9]

I have a ruger 5-7

Ammo is starting to come down and is available at shows.. depending on what type you get.. expect 50-90$ a box depending on the ammo type.. but it is out there.

Now.. that said.. I do reload for it. I used to reload hornady 40gr xtp projectiles for it.. but now cast my own 40gr gas checked ones using an MP mold.

Yes.. as with any reloading.. you need to be PRECISE with your powder,, just like any other high pressure small case volume cartridge.

My learning curve was quick due to talking to others that -tried- to reload for it. I had a buddy in Georgia that unsuccessfully reloaded for it when he had a fn 57 and a ps90. he never got a round to cycle though was able to make single shot rounds for his contender. he ended up sending me a quart bag full of 1x brass. I picked up a set of lee dies.. ( he had rcbs ). I set mine up.. I crushed exactly 1 case neck learning to setup the cartridge. After that all my cartridges fed manually racking the slide, and by firing. Upon hearing that, my buddy in georgia asked me to size a few cases for him and send them to me un loaded, and 1 as a dummy so he could see if he could setup his dies using my brass. I did, and it worked. He is now making working 5.7 ammo as well.

So.. it is very doable... and I used lee dies too. PS... I cleaned the cases.. lots of people make a big deal about the factory coating on the cases.. it makes some difference in lubricity.. but you can get around it. At least for the handguns anyway... maybe the ps90 is more picky... dunno?

Do you have to trim the brass each time you fire it? I sure would like to make this work!

[Soundguy]

I have such a large quantity that I have not reloaded the same case twice, yet. However these are all 1x fired, so technically on their second load. And yes..they need trimming. I took a spare .224 neck pilot and polished it to .2225 as the .224 pilot was too tight and would make the cartridge spin in my rcbs trim pro2..

Other than that.. All good. She'll holders from different manufactures fit better or not so good..depending.

But it's very reloadable... And with cast gas checked bullets. Data is usually limited to 35-40-45. I go with the 35-40 using the MP mold gas checked hollow point and semi flat nose projectile .. The hp ends up 37gr or so.

I have another friend that stuffs lee 55gr gas checked projectiles in them with very few good results working it up... And plenty of bad results... That cartridge doesn't tolerate heavy for caliber loads...

[Expat74]

check out fivesevenforum.net there's a ton of general info and load data too. I read there for a few weeks before I pulled the trigger on my FiveSeveN. Love the gun and the caliber, but it's a pain in the backside to load. you'll find some your "normal" reloading gear is not working on this tiny case, like if you use a manual decapper for instance.
The coating on the cases is necessary and it really (really) depends on the make of the dies used, if the coating stays intact or if you scratch it off during resizing. cleaning the cases.. well, forget wet tumbling. corn cob or ultrasound is the way to go.
regarding resizing.. the case shoulder moves forward tremendously during firing in the FiveSeveN. case life seems pretty short and you can't anneal the cases. Also, you have to trim every time.
I would stay with light bullets in the range of the factory loadings. I suggest you work up a load with the 40grs V-MAX. subs can work with 55 and 62grainers, but not reliably.

All in all, it's not rocket science but sure time consuming to reload.

[Kosh75287]

I'M still wondering what the heck both cartridge and firearm are FOR. Given that the round is shot from short barrels (in pistols), I doubt that there's much ballistic advantage to a 6" .22 Magnum revolver (S&W M48 or similar), which is likely equally or more portable.
ALL reports I get about trying to reload the round are very problematic.

[CZbob9]

I'M still wondering what the heck both cartridge and firearm are FOR. Given that the round is shot from short barrels (in pistols), I doubt that there's much ballistic advantage to a 6" .22 Magnum revolver (S&W M48 or similar), which is likely equally or more portable.
ALL reports I get about trying to reload the round are very problematic.

2000+fps out of a pistol and a magazine that holds 20 bullets. Plus it is much more reliable than a rimfire 22 magnum.

[CZbob9]

check out fivesevenforum.net there's a ton of general info and load data too. I read there for a few weeks before I pulled the trigger on my FiveSeveN. Love the gun and the caliber, but it's a pain in the backside to load. you'll find some your "normal" reloading gear is not working on this tiny case, like if you use a manual decapper for instance.
The coating on the cases is necessary and it really (really) depends on the make of the dies used, if the coating stays intact or if you scratch it off during resizing. cleaning the cases.. well, forget wet tumbling. corn cob or ultrasound is the way to go.
regarding resizing.. the case shoulder moves forward tremendously during firing in the FiveSeveN. case life seems pretty short and you can't anneal the cases. Also, you have to trim every time.
I would stay with light bullets in the range of the factory loadings. I suggest you work up a load with the 40grs V-MAX. subs can work with 55 and 62grainers, but not reliably.

All in all, it's not rocket science but sure time consuming to reload.

Is this 44wcf pain in the backside to load or are we talking a completely different level of pain in the backside? I'm about to head back to Cabelas to check it out again.

[Soundguy]

It's not difficult to load you just have to take it slow and be precise I also load 218b which is a small case as well and even thinner so it can be done you just have to be patient if you have ham hands and you like to go Ultra fast this isn't the cartridge for you to reload. As for the coating on the case the fn57 and the ps90 may require it but I have removed the coating and fired the cases in a Ruger 57 and they work perfectly. If that coating makes the difference of working or not working in the FN guns I'd say it's a failure in the design of the guns and not the ammo. Ruger knows how to make a gun that will fire the cases that had the coating removed during cleaning and sizing.

[Stopsign32v]

Bobby I told you my opinion, no way I would get into that caliber for reloading and it's way too expensive for me to buy ammo. I'm not even sold on it performing better than 9mm either. Sorry...Not a believer.

[Soundguy]

Better than 9mm? Heck..its almost 5.56... I'd take a ruger 57 over a 9 any day. It's magazine holds 20 rounds..and that's not one of the huge extended ones that stick out the bottom. Virtually no recoil.. And a hot and fast round...

Comparing standard 115 and 124gr fmj 9mm..they come in at 480j and 490j. 23g and 31g fmj 5.7x28 ..they come in at 515j and 538j. I don't have the data for the 35, 40 and 45.

Looks pretty favorable to me...

Besides... Ss190 5.7 will defeat 3a body armor... You don't see too much 9mm ammo that will do that. :0

[megasupermagnum]

I don't load for 5.7x28, but in my time loading 5.56x45 I found I would not trust not trimming. That goes for just about any bottleneck cartridge. You can measure every single case, and most might be acceptable, but some wont be. You can definitely load them on a Dillon 550, but going from dirty case to loaded round is best done in stages. One of the best inventions I've found has been the Lee quick trim dies, and they do make one in 5.7x28. That coupled with a power drill does trimming, chamfer, and deburring in just a couple seconds. The shavings do get on the press, so I probably wouldn't try it on a progressive. I like the Lee APP press for this since it auto feeds and ejects cases. Once you do that, you can size and clean your cases however you like. Finally with clean cases, you can load them on your Dillon 550.

I'll have to leave the loading specifics of 5.7x28 to others. There are a few members on this forum who have done it with success, including cast bullets. 22 caliber cast bullets are kind of a pain in general since they are so small to handle. Based on what I've seen, you shouldn't have too much issue getting a gas checked bullet to shoot well from a handgun.

[CZbob9]

One of the best inventions I've found has been the Lee quick trim dies, and they do make one in 5.7x28.

I have used this same trimmer before on my .223 because it was so cheap. Even used a drill too but I found that the length and cutting was inconsistent. Dont know if I was doing something wrong but gave up on it

[CZbob9]

Bobby I told you my opinion, no way I would get into that caliber for reloading and it's way too expensive for me to buy ammo. I'm not even sold on it performing better than 9mm either. Sorry...Not a believer.

I cant agree with this bud. The 5.7x28 is a proven round over any other pistol cartridge. It isn't any where close to a 9mm.

[Texas by God]

Academy has 5.7 ammo (FN) for $60 per box of fifty.
It joins the .22 Hornet and .218 Bee in the "Why does that little round cost so much?" club....
I fired 12 rounds yesterday in 109° heat at 25 yards. Not being used to the trigger, my group size was about fist size at 20yards.
I also fired 12 rounds from a Walther PPQ .45 into 3" at the same range.
A few years ago we noticed some of the FN ammo had variations in the report from round to round. We suspect that it deteriorated from the hot/cold storage conditions that it was stored in.
Funny that none of the other ammo there ( .22LR, 9mm, .50AE) was affected.
Put the 5.7 in a rifle length barrel and see if it hangs with the .223/5.56.
I have my doubts.

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[Soundguy]

Why would you put it in a rifle barrel put it in a 10.4 inch barrel for which it was designed.

[Texas by God]

Why would you put it in a rifle barrel put it in a 10.4 inch barrel for which it was designed.I stated that in response to the "almost a 5.56" statement. Comparing 5.7 against 5.56 in 10.4" barrels won't make the 5.7 better. More efficient with powder- sure.


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[Stopsign32v]

I guess my question is simple. If it's so good of an idea (little rifle cartridge in a pistol) then why hasn't it been a game changer and adopted by all or most firearms brands? 5.7x28 is the only type there is out there. Seems almost like a gimmick.

[megasupermagnum]

I guess my question is simple. If it's so good of an idea (little rifle cartridge in a pistol) then why hasn't it been a game changer and adopted by all or most firearms brands? 5.7x28 is the only type there is out there. Seems almost like a gimmick.

You may want to do a little search on military history.

[45_Colt]

I did a little research on this cartridge. It is designed for NATO as/for a Personal Defense Weapon (PDW). The general specifications were laid out by NATO as a "we need this, design the cartridge and a firearm to go with it."

Part of the spec was it was required to defeat body armor. And also be a small lightweight cartridge and weapon.

In this regard it works. My issue is: why does NATO think they need it???

45_Colt

[megasupermagnum]

I was mostly referencing the 1898 game changer, the 7.65x21. A quick search shows 5.7x28 has only been a NATO round for about a year. I would guess any group that can't carry a rifle could like this such as FBI or secret service would love this.

[Soundguy]

I stated that in response to the "almost a 5.56" statement. Comparing 5.7 against 5.56 in 10.4" barrels won't make the 5.7 better. More efficient with powder- sure.


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5.7 is likely most efficient in the 10.4" barrel it was designed specifically for/ in conjunction with.

[megasupermagnum]

I have used this same trimmer before on my .223 because it was so cheap. Even used a drill too but I found that the length and cutting was inconsistent. Dont know if I was doing something wrong but gave up on it

I'm not sure why that would be. I've got the Lee deluxe power quick trim, which is the same as the normal one, but has a bit so you can run it off a power drill. I've tried it on 223, 308, and 30-06. It zips cases down perfect in no time. Maybe it isn't as perfect as a Wilson trimmer, but it's every bit as accurate as my RCBS. I've never seen a case vary more than .002" in length with the Lee. After trying the RCBS with the 3 in one head, and power drill, then a WFT trim head (for a drill press), and finally this Lee quick trim, it's no contest for me. The Lee is hands down the best trimmer on the market for speed and convenience. The WFT is very good, but without a drill press it's kind of funky. The Wilson system should be more accurate, but you couldn't pay me enough to ever chamfer and deburr separately ever again. That garbage might even be worse than cleaning primer pockets, which I will also never do again.

[Stopsign32v]

You may want to do a little search on military history.

I don't care too much about military history for the 5.7x28. That has nothing to do with a civilian use in every day environments. I simply said if the 5.7x28 is so good out of a pistol then not only would we see Glock, Walther, Sig, Taurus, S&W, etc 5.7x28 pistols but we would begin to see more rifle type cartridges get moved into handguns. Instead over 100 years later 9mm is still king.

So IMO and I'm probably wrong, wife tells me all the time. But I think the 5.7x28 is a gimmick for a civilian.

[CZbob9]

I'm not sure why that would be. I've got the Lee deluxe power quick trim, which is the same as the normal one, but has a bit so you can run it off a power drill. I've tried it on 223, 308, and 30-06. It zips cases down perfect in no time. Maybe it isn't as perfect as a Wilson trimmer, but it's every bit as accurate as my RCBS. I've never seen a case vary more than .002" in length with the Lee. After trying the RCBS with the 3 in one head, and power drill, then a WFT trim head (for a drill press), and finally this Lee quick trim, it's no contest for me. The Lee is hands down the best trimmer on the market for speed and convenience. The WFT is very good, but without a drill press it's kind of funky. The Wilson system should be more accurate, but you couldn't pay me enough to ever chamfer and deburr separately ever again. That garbage might even be worse than cleaning primer pockets, which I will also never do again.

Do you press down on your drill while you are cutting or do you let the weight of the drill be enough?

[Soundguy]

I don't care too much about military history for the 5.7x28. That has nothing to do with a civilian use in every day environments. I simply said if the 5.7x28 is so good out of a pistol then not only would we see Glock, Walther, Sig, Taurus, S&W, etc 5.7x28 pistols but we would begin to see more rifle type cartridges get moved into handguns. Instead over 100 years later 9mm is still king.

So IMO and I'm probably wrong, wife tells me all the time. But I think the 5.7x28 is a gimmick for a civilian.

FN, Thompson, and Ruger have 5.7 handguns...

There are plenty of rifle type cartridges in handguns. Heizer defense has .223 and 7.62x39 micro mini handguns.. MR has their BFR revolvers.. I have an automag III in .30 carbine... I own a revolver in 30-30 and 45-70.. the list goes on....

If you ask me.. those are more of a gimmick than 5.7 in a handgun. I love my ruger 57 20 round magazine in the space of most other brands 12-15 round magazine... no real recoil... REAL good ballistics ... beats a 9mm in every metric on standard ammo... fps, joules, etc.

[megasupermagnum]

Do you press down on your drill while you are cutting or do you let the weight of the drill be enough?

I just use the weight of the drill, but its a big Milwaukee and I usually grab the biggest battery I have, which I think it the 5.0. I do use a light rocking or rolling motion just to get an even cut since the drill pulls so hard to one side.

[megasupermagnum]

FN, Thompson, and Ruger have 5.7 handguns...

There are plenty of rifle type cartridges in handguns. Heizer defense has .223 and 7.62x39 micro mini handguns.. MR has their BFR revolvers.. I have an automag III in .30 carbine... I own a revolver in 30-30 and 45-70.. the list goes on....

If you ask me.. those are more of a gimmick than 5.7 in a handgun. I love my ruger 57 20 round magazine in the space of most other brands 12-15 round magazine... no real recoil... REAL good ballistics ... beats a 9mm in every metric on standard ammo... fps, joules, etc.

Don't get too bent up about it Soundguy. I'm not one who thinks energy is a good metric to judge at all, but even I have seen the effectiveness of velocity. There are a surprising number of members on this forum who honestly believe a 45 colt is more powerful than a 223 remington because it's bigger. Heck, there are regularly arguments that 45 colt is more powerful than 44 magnum because it is .020" bigger.

[Soundguy]

I hear ya. I think some people don't understand the relationship of velocity and cavitation and temporary and permanent wound channels. 5.7 travels at over twice the velocity of 9 mm across the board and has more energy even though it has a smaller weight projectile. The cavitation and moon channel that round makes puts 9 mm to shame.

[gwpercle]

I've lived 73 years .
The things I regret the most ...aren't things I did but things I didn't do when the opprotunity presented itself .
Passing on a 41 magnum Ruger Blackhawk in 1975 (never got one) . Not buying that Sharps black powder rifle in 45-70 because I didn't know how to load BP cartridge ... so many things I didn't buy because ... I was afraid to spend the money , thought times would get better and I would have more money ... hoped for a better deal to come along ... better times and better deals seldom if ever come around ... you pass on something and chances are you will never own one ...
Here's a truth ... Life is too damned Short to pass up on experiences ... You wait and next thing you know ...you old half blind crippled by age ... No , don't wait , don't pass up that opprotunity to try out that 5.7 X 28 ... Go Get It ... you can figure out the loading ...heck it's just a short bottle neck round ...You can do it .... you don't want to miss the boat ...I only regret passing up all the deals and opprotunities I did in the 1960's ... times do not get better ... If you have a itch to own one ...scratch that itch ...do it NOW !!!
Gary

[coaldust]

I have found new factory ammo for the 5.7x28 locally (Atwoods) for $38.99 a box of 50, have not tried to reload the brass yet.

[Fast54vw]

I load 5.7x28
I use true blue powder
Small rifle primers
Every one is trimmed, hand weighed powder charge, and case gaged
I made a factory crimp die long before made one for this cartridge.
I can tell you .1 grain difference makes a huge difference in primer pressure signs
I can also tell you in my five-seven, charge weight is nowhere near published max load and they are already too high of pressure, I recommend starting at the minimum load and work up .1 at a time

[Geezer in NH]

I had an AR top for it. Needed 16 inch so it was not a SBR glad I did not waste $200 bucks for the stamp on a SBR.I fired 2 50 round mags out of it one for me one for my son we both said overrated 22mag sold it and 1/2 case of ammo and never looked back.

[Soundguy]

I'm not aware of any 22 mag that can defeat body armor.....

[GONRA]

GONRA sez follow Fast54vw's advice EXACTLY and "stay out of trouble"!!!

Additional Weighty Thoughts: (warm up yer wallet, patience.....)

Use RCBS SMALL BASE dies, STP Oil Treatment case lube,
LARGEST PRESS POSSIBLE to REPRODUCIBLY resize cases.
Leave the small case sizing lube residue ON THE CASE!

AVOID KABOOMS - bullet MUST leave the barrel guys/gals!
Others have (endlessly!) experimented with other powders, etc.
BUILD on their experience, don't dream up new brainstorms ....
Use first class safety glasses / goggles.
Let someone ELSE develop "subsonic loads".

You may NOT be able to peer into the charged case to check for a double charge!
>>> Illuminated or NOT! <<<
Develop a double check weighing system to suit yer situation....

No Distractions - keep the wife, 3 kids, 2 cats and the hamster
waaaay out of the way somewhere....

Good Luck!

[Soundguy]

I wanna hear some reasoning from you guys. Dat gum if I didn't go to Cabelas today and look at a FN Five Seven. They had one and I liked it a decent bit and could put it on my Cabelas card. But I just couldn't throw the line in the water. I got scared that I wouldn't be able to feed it if I did get it. Does anyone here reload for this round? Do you guys think its possible at all to cast for it? Is there any hope at all or should I just forget it?

To revisit this.. now that it has been a few months.. I'm sucessfully casting for it now with 40gr gas checked that I made from a long awaited MP mold. I set them over accuate #5

So far not a single issue. I have damaged exactly 2 cases.. I don't do anything magic with the lube.. just regular case lube.. alcohol/lanolin... and I run it on a 4 hole lee turret. Cases do have to get trimmed each time so far...

no leading... no failures to feed, fire, extract.. etc.

Catching cases for re-use is done via a tarp now.. although each session I do seem to loose 1-2 from fliers.. as the ruger 57 seems to really toss them...

PS.. no load development either.. I use the very scant data I found in western powder books / with lee dies. A#5 and true blue are the only powders I have that i have found data for.

[Geezer in NH]

I'm not aware of any 22 mag that can defeat body armor.....

And no 5.7x28 will either as each and every round would be a Federal Felony Duh! Handgun ammo cannot be sold for that.

[Soundguy]

And no 5.7x28 will either as each and every round would be a Federal Felony Duh! Handgun ammo cannot be sold for that.

You forget the 5.7-28 was originally chambered in a carbine the PS 90 and there was 5.7-28 ammo that would defeat body armor so duh yourself

[Soundguy]

I just went and looked up the study for you where they tested the SS 197 sporting ammunition and the SS 190 ammunition that was out a long time ago from FN for the PS 90 before there were any handguns. The SS 190 ammunition will penetrate 3A body armor from a handgun or a 16 inch carbine the SS 197 sporting ammunition will penetrate 3A body armor do a 16-in carbine but not through the handgun so there's your duh ss190 ammunition exist and is out there which is why I said I don't recall any 22 Magnum defeating body armor because there is in fact 5.7-28 ammo that will defeat body armor and in the case of using a 16-in carbine like a PS 90 it doesn't even have to be the hard to find SS 190 it can be the regular SS 197 you can go by down at the hardware store

[Geezer in NH]

Then FN Made the pistol DUH?

All 7.62 is considered a pistol round

Same as the 5.7x28 Don't get arrested ain't fun.

[Soundguy]

Changes nothing in my original post. I said I don't recall any 22 mag defeating body armor... But 5.7-28 could. I'm still correct. None of the facts have changed. Whether or not handguns came out in 5.7-28 changes none of the facts in my comment. Ss190 can penetrate IIIa body armor. Ss197 can penetrate IIIa body armor whenbfired by a gun like a PS 90. Ss197 is sporting ammo..not armor piercing..its legal... It can be fired in a handgun or rifle..whennfired in a rifle..it will penetrate IIIa body armor.

Show me 22mag that will do that. Duh!

[MrWolf]

Come on guys, not the pit. Some of us are interested in reloading for this cartridge. I don't want the thread closed.

[Soundguy]

Well I do reload for 5.7 by 28 however I don't reload for 22 magnum. Originally I was using Hornady 40 grain pretty much like the factory loading and then I switched to Casting my own once I got an MP mold that could do 40 grain flat points and hollow points gas checked.

[GONRA]

SOUNDGUY - to date, all GONRA's 5.7x28mm FN loading
has been done from a pyle of "once fired" FN brass.
Source is believed to be US Gov. Agencies....

Such full powered 5.7x28mmFN ammo fired cases from these
'"cartridge case / chamber wall friction" RETARDED BLOWBACK actions
produces BOTTLE SHAPED fired brass.

>>> Whole different ball game fellas! <<<.

(Yer huntin' rifles DON'T produce "BOTTLE SHAPED fired brass")

Many (weak) presses / (crappy) dies / (???) case lubes
CANNOT properly handle this stuff.
>>> BE CAREFUL!! <<<

Get yer micrometer out / check resized brass diameters
against loaded FN FACTORY ammo reference specimens...

[Soundguy]

Well Gonra.. The 1 quart, once fired 5.7-28 brass I started out with all came from ps90's.. So probably exact same condition as yours.. And yes, it was a small process of events to get the dies setup correctly..but no more difficult than some other bottleneck cartridges that size. For instance..i reload 218 bee.. It's nearly identical in size..but has a thinner neck..so plenty of care is needed.
I was given my bag of brass because another reloader could not successfully reload it..every case he tried either crushed the neck downwards..or it otherwise would not chamber..so he gifted it to me.
I was reloading it the same day. In the end..it cost me exactly 2 cases. The first one I pushed the neck back too far... After that I was making good cases that all chamber into my 5-7 perfectly. During the reloading session I reloaded a little over 100 cases. Mid batch I had a case neck that didn't get quite enough inside chamfer and the 40gr vmax projectile ripped the neck. Since then I having damaged one..nor made any that didn't chamber or function perfectly. When the guy that gave me the bag of brass heard that, he asked me to prep a hand full of cases and send them to him so he could setup his dies off my dummy cartridges. ( for reference I am using Lee dies..he is using rcbs ). I sent them. He later let me know that as soon as he set his dies pup off my dummies his very first completed cartridge went fine. He is now also reloading them. He still has about 300 1-fired brass. He sold his ps90.. But has both a FN and ruger 5-7 .
So... There's no magic to reloading them..just setup your dies correctly.
I DO have factory FN and AE ammo on hand as well...and yes.. A fired cartridge does sometimes blow the shoulder out and forward depending on what they were fired out of. I find that they have to be trimmed at least after first then second firing..by third..they don't grow very much..but I give every case a ride on the trimmer. I did have to turn/Polish one of my 22cal neck pilots down so that I could run these on my rsbs case trimmer. The stock 22 cal pilot is just a hair big for these 5.7.

Past that... It's just reloading... Clean..case prep..lube..size..trim..chamfer..prime..charge..pr ojectile...boom... Rinse and repeat...

Ps..my cases were sized on my 4 hole Lee turret..0 problems... It's a small case... Nothing taxing... A cheap Lee C alloy frame press would have 0 problems... It's not a belted magnum safari case or anything...

[MrWolf]

Any issues with the cases and the "coating" after reloading with say the Ruger? There were articles warning about aggressive cleaning of the brass and extraction issues.

[Soundguy]

I didn't aggressively clean them..but do lightly clean them. I've read the horror stories about the coatings. I ran 1 mag full in a corn cob walnut mix tumbler for 2 hours.. Wiped down and processed, then loaded..the next batch just wiped down..blew out and processed and loaded.
Absolutely -0- difference. Easy to tell the cases apart as the tumbled one's were matte finish.
Maybe in the original FN guns it made a difference..but makes -0- difference in my Ruger 5-7.

[Soundguy]

Can't edit my post. Should say I don't usually aggressively clean the 5-7 but did tumble 1 batch to see effects. Not sure why I can't edit..