HK SD9 Tactical,
You are right, the OOB will ultimately resolve itself. But you also previously stated that this was not a reloading problem, Then you state it was just the wrong choice of bullet weights. I’m sorry sir, but in my book, that directly makes it a reloading problem.
However:
First of all, if this had been an OOB incident, the failed case would have appeared completely different.
Most autoloaders, (not all) have an AREA of the chamber that leaves the case completely unsupported. This unsupported area in the chamber facilitates the autoloading process. However, this unsupported area of the case, means the case ITSELF must withstand the pressures generated. Quite often, a reloader will notice a case that he is going to reload with a very noticeable bulge on one side. This means that while the case will resize, if the reloaded round happens to load into the chamber with this same weakened area situated over the unsupported area in the chamber, there is a strong possibility that the case will rupture, the gun will dismantle itself in your hand(s) and the grief begins. The case ruptures in many directions.
In the above instance, the unsupported part of the case can always be considered OOB.
For conversation, lets just pick the most glaring error that has caused so much concern to all of us. That is, the OP admitted that this case COULD have been reloaded once, possibly twice. If twice, that means it failed on the third firing. In reality, he admitted he didn’t know. A fatal error on this round. While I dearly love my two Lee Hand Presses, they are not designed to withstand the pressures required to set back the shoulder of a case by as much as .050". When attempting to do this, the press itself flexes considerably, and during the flexing, the ram and shell holder are no longer square with either the die or press body. Depending on the amount of flexing of the press, weakens the case head, let alone failing to reset the shoulder properly. Now, when the case is withdrawn from the die, the neck sizing pin may not enter the neck square, thereby resizing the neck incorrectly, or if it is square, undue pressure can easily be experienced by the case head, which is now out of square due to the flexing of the press on insertion. This press cannot resize a shouldered case with any degree of consistency that ALL reloaders I know, demand.
As a reloader myself, I would consider reloading this round, well within the recommended data. That means, for me, the case would ultimately be fired twice. And I would only do this, if the purchase of the dies and other components offered a savings. Otherwise, it is not worth the effort.
In my humble opinion, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the FiveseveN. In reality, I have shot this CALIBER (not the round) for years. I load many of the same bullets in 22-250, which is a much hotter round. Although these rounds operate in a completely different system to the 5.7, it does not mean that through an error on my part, a self dismantling gun will not appear in my hands.
I’ve said this before. If one has not read, AND UNDERSTANDS the patents for the 5.7, they have no business reloading the round.
Interestingly enough, both the chamber and barrel of the 5.7 will easily support bullet weights considerably greater than 55gr as the rifling supports. The case is the problem here, and the data used for reloading a BT bullet.
Bottom line:
Reloads voids warrantees.
Reloads from outside venders voids warantees
Because reloads were used, regardless of origin, FNH was under no obligation to the OP. The mere fact the OP posted this all over the internet speaks volumes as to his, and possibly others intentions, is available for everyone to see, if they choose to look.
Rant off
Chris
