Lehigh cc 45 gr

[Fharing45]

HI, I am going to be loading for my 5.7 bolt, 16 inch barrel Pack Rifle. I have Lehigh defence 45 gr CC, and WSR primers, once fired fn 197 brass from rifle. Any suggestions on powder choice or data?

Thank you

[panzermk2]

Did you look in the 5.7 re loading section?

[Fharing45]

Yes all data was for gas systems. With a bolt action I was tempted to use data reduced 5 percent and work up. I think I was reading you advising against that and to treat 5.7 differently because of the quick pressure spikes against locked bolt.
I wanted to try Lil gun, h110, or no 9. With a 22 hornet start load and work up. But I question the sanity of this venture, so I was hoping others has bolt experience.

[panzermk2]

I have tested a fixed bolt 5.7 system a few times and pressures are nuts without the normal shoulder movement.

While Savage created a bolt action that worked they had had to flute the chamber, like a CETME rifle does. That allowed case expansion to deal with the pressure in a locked bolt system. They never put it into production due to cost, mostly related to the fancy chamber.


The pack rifle folks never felt the need to send me one of their rifles to demo.
So I won't buy one just to help support their product.
I have seen pics of the pack rifle bolt and the lugs are massive.
I would love to cast their chamber as I bet they are manipulating the chamber to help deal with the pressures. Most folks don't know this, but the FsN chamber also does not match the un-fired cartridges which is why using the barrel like you would for say 45acp, does not work.


Brownells sells the material to cast the chamber. I would lover to see it cast.


So starting low is smart and chronograph. Also FYI have the chrono at least 10, 15 feet away from the muzzle is better. One of the best is the Pro Chrono. Only the Pro Chrono and my Oehler have worked well over the decades with the 5.7. There is a thread here about my hatred of chronos and a deep dive on how they ALL fail. I have tried them ALL. Oehler is the only one to NEVER have issues. Even the Pro Chrono which I really like, beside eating bullets every now and then, will die from the shock wave frequency of the 5.7. They last about 3 years for me, but they are cheap and easy to replace. Plus their phone app is the easiest and most robust.

[Fharing45]

Thanks for the reply. I'll proceed with caution.