Reloading equipment for 5.7x28mm

[SandmanV12]

I waited out a five week backorder at Midway USA for my Lee dies. They were delivered in early March; a local gun shop got me a set of RCBS dies in about the same time through his rep.

I looked today on Midway and it didn't even list them.

[Rapier1772]

I don't think they make the Pacesetter for the 5.7, it's not on their list anyway. Think you're stuck with regular dies like the rest of us :p

[500SWfan]

I waited out a five week backorder at Midway USA for my Lee dies. They were delivered in early March; a local gun shop got me a set of RCBS dies in about the same time through his rep.

I looked today on Midway and it didn't even list them.

MidwayUSA lists them (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/261573 ... 57x28mm-fn" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). They're just categorized as rifle dies, rather than handgun dies. That's probably because they're listed as Pacesetter dies.

[fd57]

Lee does offer their Pacesetter dies for the 5.7x28 cartridge. Just a heads up. They're a mutha to snag though. Scored a couple a few months back.

Here's what the package looks like (minus the spare decapping pin in bottom right of snap):

[Rapier1772]

How does a pacesetter different from regular dies? Other than the powder dipper & shell holder included.

[500SWfan]

How does a pacesetter different from regular dies? Other than the powder dipper & shell holder included.

I think that is the difference...the extras. Most of their Pacesetter rifle die sets also come with a third factory crimp die. But for the rarer calibers like the 5.7 or 204 Ruger where they haven't developed a factory crimp die (yet?), they just sell it as a two die set with the extras, as opposed to their RGB (really great buy) sets, which only come with the two dies.

[Rapier1772]

That's what I thought. So unless they've fixed their shell holder for the 5.7x28, it's not worth the hassle.
Buy the regular dies and an RCBS shell holder.

[500SWfan]

Actually, they only offer it as the Pacesetter set, and even then it's always classified as a "Very Limited Production" set. They don't even list it as one of the available calibers on their web site (http://leeprecision.com/reloading-dies/ ... 2-die-set/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). :facepalm:

Edit: My bad. It is shown far below (http://leeprecision.com/v-ltd-2-die-5.7x28.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), it's just not shown in the preliminary list. I notice it says powder dipper and load data are not included, but that's not true. The set I just got from Ammodepot included the dipper, and load data identical to that in the latest Lee reloading manual (2nd edition Rvsd).

[Red Dog]

I found the RCBS #45 shell holder at Precision Reloading. Only had to wait three weeks for it. I don't plan to use the Lee shell holder that came with the dies after reading all the negative posts here.

[fd57]

No issue with the shell holder included in the Pacesetter die set here.

[Hobknob]

Something I hadn't seen listed anywhere is a powder checker or lockout die.

I've used the RCBS Powder Check die as well as a RCBS lockout die (modified) and they both work quite well.
If you're using a single stage it's really not necessary, but on a progressive it is a nice monitoring method.

The lockout is nice in that it locks the press out if you get a significantly higher or lower volume of powder in the case, while the check die just shows you if the current powder level is close to what you set the die at.

[Jim300]

I purchased the case gauge and dillon 550 shell plate a few weeks ago but could not get the RCBS trim plate. The trim plate is now in stock along with some bullets (not loaded ammo). Glad to see a few things back in stock.

[Beecher Tool]

As mentioned in another post, I picked up a Five Seven this week and am starting the process of setting up to be able to reload. My basic reloading set up is:

Redding Ultramag Single Stage Press - I ordered a couple of Redding #35 shellholders which I understand will work with 5.7x28

Hornady LNL Progressive Ammo Plant - I ordered a custom shellplate from Hornady for the LNL press...and I am well aware of and understand that decapping/primer seating must be done in the single stage press

Most of my die set are the three piece Redding Titanium Carbide Competition sets. Redding doesn't make a set like that for 5.7x28 so I ordered a Redding three piece Deluxe Die Set [Redding Part# 84477, brownells.com Part# 749-007-802WS].

I use an LE Wilson Stainless Trimmer for case length trimming....they don't make collets for 5.7x28 as a standard size, but will make custom collets if three cases are provided. My sense is that the way to submit cases is to wait until I have the dies in hand, and size the cases using the actual dies in my set up rather than send spent cases so the gauge track the sized cases I would intend to use.

Has anyone gone down this path and would care to share experiences? Thanks in advance.

[flyingirish04]

I wouldn't by the Redding die set. I wouldn't buy the RCBS, unless I can't buy the Lee dies.

[Beecher Tool]

Thanks for the thoughts....at present I have owned and use Redding dies in 5.56x45, 7.62x51, .338LM, 9MM, .40S&W, and .45ACP....and LE Wilson press type dies in the three rifle calibers. I have had nothing but less than experiences with Lee and RCBS dies in 30 years of reloading obviously with various differences in intensity. So my decision as to dies is done, the question really focuses on case trimming...thanks for the input.

[SandmanV12]

Thanks to one of the members on here I now have a pacesetter die set, Thank you.

[500SWfan]

For those who still need a set, MidwayUSA just got the Lee dies in stock.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/261573 ... 57x28mm-fn" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[xxstincexx]

I use the hornady can lock trimmer. Once its set it stays set. Just ordered the power adapter for it.

[xxstincexx]

Cam * (smart phone is not so smart)

[Oceansblue]

The list at the top of this post is pretty comprehensive, and has helped me narrow my shopping list, but I'm not quite set up just yet. I'm having some difficulty figuring out which pieces of the list are interchangeable, and which are required. I already have the following items:

Dillon 550B w/ the shell holder from elite ammunition
Lyman 3 piece dies
RCBS trimmer w/ elite ammunition's shell holder

The question I have specifically, is whether or not I need a primer/de-primer in addition to this set of dies, or does one of the lyman dies do this? (Lyman's website doesn't specify)
If the lyman dies don't deprime/prime, is there something I can use that fits the Dillon? (it seems silly to buy a standalone primer/deprimer instead of using the Dillon's 4th station)
If I have to buy the priming stuff seperately that's fine, I just want to avoid buying more equipment if I can use the Dillon's 4th station.

I hope this hasn't already been asked, but if anyone is using a similar setup and can help me out, I'd appreciate it.