5.7X28 Bolt Action

[Bullseye289]

Has anyone put together a 5.7x28 bolt gun with a folding or sliding stock? Looking to buy/build one as a compact truck gun for varmint control.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I am not aware of such a rifle, but I think it is a cool idea.

There have been several threads about this, but the sensible argument always seems to be “why?” What do you get from 5.7x28 as opposed to .22 Magnum or .223?

 

[180ls1]

Yup, see below:

Stowaway™ Series by Dark Mtn Arms

Lightweight and packable – the Stowaway™ Ultralight Take-Down Gun is designed to be the most versatile single-shot firearm available.

darkmountainarms.com

 

[RWT]

CMMG builds an AR that is the fastest flash to bang to be useful and accurate.

 

[RockAndSage]

I am not aware of such a rifle, but I think it is a cool idea.

There have been several threads about this, but the sensible argument always seems to be “why?” What do you get from 5.7x28 as opposed to .22 Magnum or .223?

I picked up a S&W 5.7 awhile back to evaluate...it's much more interesting than I thought it would be, both the gun and the cartridge.

My take on the cartridge is that it's kinda like the modern equivalent of .30 carbine, fitting the role between pistol cartridges and rifle cartridges. It'll reach farther and hit harder than rimfire or pistol cartridges, but won't obliterate a rabbit like a .223 will. For a general purpose plinking, small game, or survival rifle, it might be pretty optimum if you're not factoring in emergency ammo availability, or comparative ammo costs.

It definitely won't do what a full rifle cartridge will. But it is a lot hotter and flatter than a standard pistol cartridge or .22mag, especially at distances beyond 75 or 100yds, but nothing like a .223. And you can carry an awful lot of it by weight compared to .223, with not much more of a weight penalty over .22mag. Probably the most minor advantage is that, unlike .22mag, you can handload it and tune a load to your rifle.

The biggest drawback has to be the expense - it's 2x the cost of .22mag, and about the same cost as .223. I also would put it in the same category of .22mag in personal self defense, until proven otherwise by actual field data, with the exact bullets I'd be using. I've heard too much about .mil usage being underwhelming in that role to trust it for that, beyond what I'd trust a .22 mag for.

I'm not sure I'll be keeping mine, but I was surprised at how interesting it was, and at the performance it provided. For a general plinking or really lightweight emergency gun, like in a plane or to keep in an offroad vehicle, it could be a great option, depending on the gun design. I'm far more open to the idea now than I was before I got the S&W.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I picked up a S&W 5.7 awhile back to evaluate...it's much more interesting than I thought it would be, both the gun and the cartridge.

My take on the cartridge is that it's kinda like the modern equivalent of .30 carbine, fitting the role between pistol cartridges and rifle cartridges. It'll reach farther and hit harder than rimfire or pistol cartridges, but won't obliterate a rabbit like a .223 will. For a general purpose plinking, small game, or survival rifle, it might be pretty optimum if you're not factoring in emergency ammo availability, or comparative ammo costs.

It definitely won't do what a full rifle cartridge will. But it is a lot hotter and flatter than a standard pistol cartridge or .22mag, especially at distances beyond 75 or 100yds, but nothing like a .223. And you can carry an awful lot of it by weight compared to .223, with not much more of a weight penalty over .22mag. Probably the most minor advantage is that, unlike .22mag, you can handload it and tune a load to your rifle.

The biggest drawback has to be the expense - it's 2x the cost of .22mag, and about the same cost as .223. I also would put it in the same category of .22mag in personal self defense, until proven otherwise by actual field data could be found, with the exact bullets I'd be using. I've heard too much about .mil usage being underwhelming in that role to trust it for that, beyond what I'd trust a .22 mag for.

I'm not sure I'll be keeping mine, but I was surprised at how interesting it was, and at the performance it provided. For a general plinking or really lightweight emergency gun, like in a plane for to keep in an offroad vehicle, it could be a great option, depending on the gun design. I'm far more open to the idea now than I was before I got the S&W.

What kind of performance - ballistic and terminal - can you get out of a 16” 5.7x28?

 

[RockAndSage]

What kind of performance - ballistic and terminal - can you get out of a 16” 5.7x28?

Rough guess is about 2300fps, with a .40gr vmax. That'll take a coyote out to 100yds with a vitals hit, definitely a goose or a rabbit without excessive meat damage.

The utility for me would be in balancing the handiness and shootability of the rifle (size, weight, dimensions, optic), vs the intended use. If I could get it in a 12-14" barreled gun, or something around the dimensions of a Ruger 10/22 or M1 carbine, it'd be great. Much bigger or heavier than that size of a package though, or for shooting coyotes and bigger, and I'd probably opt for .223.

 

[RWT]

I’ve been interested in one as I can see a use case for them. If and when I am in bear country I intend to try the S&W 5.7 as my side arm. I agree with Forms take on quantity counts for bear defense. That and likely pucker factor mean I want to exponentially increase my chance of a hit.

The round seems to shoot better than any pistol cal carbine from 100-150’yards

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Ruger LC Carbine comes in 5.7. It's OK round but it was designed to be used with armor piercing rounds. Ammo availability and cost became a PIA so I sold my P90 and all the ammo.

 

[TxLite]

Probably the most minor advantage is that, unlike .22mag, you can handload it and tune a load to your rifle.

I’ve always heard this was a nightmare due to the lacquer coatings?

 

[LongWayAround]

Rough guess is about 2300fps, with a .40gr vmax. That'll take a coyote out to 100yds with a vitals hit, definitely a goose or a rabbit without excessive meat damage.

Where can a person legally shoot a goose with a rifle?

 

[NM13]

The S&W M&P FPC folding carbine with a 16" barrel folds down to a hair over 16" and weighs about 4#'s. Comes with 3 22rd metal mags (same mags as the 5.7 pistol) that all store on board. Pretty slick and handy carbine.
I think I read somewhere that the lacquer was required for ejection with the P90 but wasn't for the newer guns.

 

[RockAndSage]

Where can a person legally shoot a goose with a rifle?

It was said in the context of being an emergency or survival gun. That said, IIRC, I've seen clips of guys using .17hmrs on geese in New Zealand.

 

[RockAndSage]

The S&W M&P FPC folding carbine with a 16" barrel folds down to a hair over 16" and weighs about 4#'s. Comes with 3 22rd metal mags (same mags as the 5.7 pistol) that all store on board. Pretty slick and handy carbine.
I think I read somewhere that the lacquer was required for ejection with the P90 but wasn't for the newer guns.

Man, that's just about the perfect application of cartridge and gun size.

 

[UnckleBob]

The S&W M&P FPC folding carbine with a 16" barrel folds down to a hair over 16" and weighs about 4#'s. Comes with 3 22rd metal mags (same mags as the 5.7 pistol) that all store on board. Pretty slick and handy carbine.
I think I read somewhere that the lacquer was required for ejection with the P90 but wasn't for the newer guns.

That might be a good gun to make into a SBR. With stamps at $0, why not.

 

[StupidLightweight]

Good luck in your quest, OP. It would be a cool little package. The reason very little (or none) exist is due to what Q_Sertorius said. A bolt-action 5.7 will do nothing that a .22 Mag or .223 can't already do. It would be relatively easy to make one, especially with a variety of pistol magazine options, but putting in the time and money would require an investment that a company would have to recoup in sales.

I have an LC Charger in 5.7x28 that I use as a cheek pistol. It's a wicked little package that's only 16 inches in total length. With a folding stock, it would make a fine varmint gun for close range work.

 

[RWT]

Good luck in your quest, OP. It would be a cool little package. The reason very little (or none) exist is due to what Q_Sertorius said. A bolt-action 5.7 will do nothing that a .22 Mag or .223 can't already do. It would be relatively easy to make one, especially with a variety of pistol magazine options, but putting in the time and money would require an investment that a company would have to recoup in sales.

I have an LC Charger in 5.7x28 that I use as a cheek pistol. It's a wicked little package that's only 16 inches in total length. With a folding stock, it would make a fine varmint gun for close range work.

That ruger 5.7 charger has Chinese Mall ninja Gangsta written all over it. It looks like $100 of fun all day. Yes I want one.
I wish they made a 10/22 in 5.7. I assume it would handle the pressure as they made a 44mag version years ago.

 

[Jrkotz]

I like 5.7x28.. a lot. I have a FN 57, owned a PS90, have an AR57 upper, and a CMMG banshee. I'll be buying another of the full size pistol options, the new PR57, and when PSA finally gets off their ass, I'll be picking up an XM57

That being said, I think for a bolt truck gun, you'd be better suited building a ULUL bolt AR in 223, or something like a Howa mini in 223. There's just not great options in 5.7 that offer enough benefit over 223 offerings in a bolt rifle

Savage did offer their model 25 in 5.7x28, but it's since been discontinued.

My solution for this use case is a Savage LWH in 223 and a CZ527 in 20 Vartarg. Both are light and handy, and the 40 gr VMAX and 32 gr BlitzKing both perform exceptionally well on varmints at moderate ranges