I'm in the same boat, maybe a bit more 5.7 ammo stashed and happy I'm not needing to panic buy.
MidwayUSA told me that the FN 5.7x28mm 40gr ammo has been discontinued
I have previously bought the 5.7 FN ammo at MidwayUSA. They don't list it anymore and a via webchat was told it is a discontinued product. I had some bought American Eagle 4 or 5 years back but had problems with the ammo, the COL was variable and I could literally pull some of the bullets out of the case by hand. I still have that ammo. What do people know about this and any success reloading?
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Any updates?? I want to hit the range but i dont want to use up my 197s if they are Discontinuedlet me ask him. I have friends who have decently positioned people at ATK/Federal, and getting answers like this few, far, and in between.
Zero response from FN as always. Still waiting to get some other people to respond
Looks like there is plenty of supply on the 40 gr. vmax, so will just have to stick to loading my own if they are going to indeed stop producing it. Does mean that the chances of getting the blue tipped over run bullets for a really good price is likely gone, but the red tipped ones work just as well.
thanks brother please keep us updated.Zero response from FN as always. Still waiting to get some other people to respond
The ss196 had red tips in 07 i shot all my 196s thinking i could get more but they were discontinuedLooks like there is plenty of supply on the 40 gr. vmax, so will just have to stick to loading my own if they are going to indeed stop producing it. Does mean that the chances of getting the blue tipped over run bullets for a really good price is likely gone, but the red tipped ones work just as well.
I got about 1000 rounds of SS197, but I normally use that for planking target shooting and stuff like that.
I Zero with my SS195 and use 198s and 195 for any form of actual use
I have sufficient quantities of good 5.7x28 ammo now, but I wonder if it is slowly becoming like the 10mm (or worse). I am very concerned that the price of 5.7x28 good ammo is steadily increasing as its supply availability appears to be decreasing. When the price of a particular ammo increases rapidly but its supply availability is also decreasing, this is typically an early indication of a cartridge that is sunsetting.
In contrast, supplies of good 9mm and for that matter good 45 acp, have both bounced back from low pandemic levels.
In contrast, supplies of good 9mm and for that matter good 45 acp, have both bounced back from low pandemic levels.
One good thing about 57 is that is was recently accepted as a NATO cartridge. I thought that would have helped with supply and price but it didn’t so far?
I also expected more 5.7 products to rush to market since NATO announcement.One good thing about 57 is that is was recently accepted as a NATO cartridge. I thought that would have helped with supply and price but it didn’t so far?
As @kmiles noted, Hornady V-max seems to be more available now than any other point since covid.
Any thoughts between the utility between SS198 and hand loaded with barnes varmint grenades? And still puzzled by lack of love for SS197 where in its case we have real and noteworthy data on efficacy.
Overall i like the SS197 round. It is the solve all round? No, but it is a better round then AE TMJ by light years. I really hope it does not disappear, because if it does except 195’s to rise in price due to demand.I also expected more 5.7 products to rush to market since NATO announcement.
As @kmiles noted, Hornady V-max seems to be more available now than any other point since covid.
Any thoughts between the utility between SS198 and hand loaded with barnes varmint grenades? And still puzzled by lack of love for SS197 where in its case we have real and noteworthy data on efficacy.
But why shoot 195 over 197? I understand the Belgian LF ammo to have a better track record of consistency, but practical ballistics?Overall i like the SS197 round. It is the solve all round? No, but it is a better round then AE TMJ by light years. I really hope it does not disappear, because if it does except 195’s to rise in price due to demand.
And surely we could at home assemble more capable cartridges than 195?
SS198 and hand loads with any of the frangible bullets are quite different in capability. They both have their advantages and disadvantages, but they are not really interchangable if you are looking for a similar end result. The 28gr bullet in the 195 and 198 tumbles when it hits where the frangible bullets break into many small pieces as they shed their energy after impact. There is not really a good commercial bullet substitute in the 28gr range for the 195/198 bullet that I have found. I use the 45gr controlled chaos solid bullet for similar performance to the 195/198, just a bit slower because of the much higher weight. It used to be pretty easy to find the 28gr bullets for sale as folks were pulling them down and reloading with a different bullet, but have not seen that for quite a few years at this point.I also expected more 5.7 products to rush to market since NATO announcement.
As @kmiles noted, Hornady V-max seems to be more available now than any other point since covid.
Any thoughts between the utility between SS198 and hand loaded with barnes varmint grenades? And still puzzled by lack of love for SS197 where in its case we have real and noteworthy data on efficacy.
Yes, the 198 28gr bullet most definitely tumbles. I recovered several from soft rotten tree stumps used as a backstop for target practice. The bullets are typically recovered with the bullet base forward in the stump embedded with wood material from the stump. Gel tests don’t seem to show this.The 28gr bullet in the 195 and 198 tumbles when it hits
Gel tests most certainly show this. They typically tumble at least 1 to 2 times...Yes, the 198 28gr bullet most definitely tumbles. I recovered several from soft rotten tree stumps used as a backstop for target practice. The bullets are typically recovered with the bullet base forward in the stump embedded with wood material from the stump. Gel tests don’t seem to show this.
Thanks, good to know.Gel tests most certainly show this. They typically tumble at least 1 to 2 times...
I like the 32gr controlled chaos as well. Can get it going 2100-2200fps without over pressure signs. Seems like since Wilson Combat bought Lehigh Defense the prices went up a bit.SS198 and hand loads with any of the frangible bullets are quite different in capability. They both have their advantages and disadvantages, but they are not really interchangable if you are looking for a similar end result. The 28gr bullet in the 195 and 198 tumbles when it hits where the frangible bullets break into many small pieces as they shed their energy after impact. There is not really a good commercial bullet substitute in the 28gr range for the 195/198 bullet that I have found. I use the 45gr controlled chaos solid bullet for similar performance to the 195/198, just a bit slower because of the much higher weight. It used to be pretty easy to find the 28gr bullets for sale as folks were pulling them down and reloading with a different bullet, but have not seen that for quite a few years at this point.
When they changed the metal makeup of the 45 gr bullet and were selling the "old" versions at a discount, I bought like 1500 of them, so I have not bought any for quite a while. I looked at the 32 gr at one time, but did not think they were going to be long enough to preserve an OAL close to factory length. Would be interested in what you are using for an OAL with the 32 gr.I like the 32gr controlled chaos as well. Can get it going 2100-2200fps without over pressure signs. Seems like since Wilson Combat bought Lehigh Defense the prices went up a bit.
I’m at 1.58 oal.When they changed the metal makeup of the 45 gr bullet and were selling the "old" versions at a discount, I bought like 1500 of them, so I have not bought any for quite a while. I looked at the 32 gr at one time, but did not think they were going to be long enough to preserve an OAL close to factory length. Would be interested in what you are using for an OAL with the 32 gr.
I also reload the 5.7X28 (Ruger 57), mostly because of the short supply and very high cost of factory ammo. However, primers are almost as hard to find. Even though Houston is a huge area, I get laughed at when I try to find them locally. Online, either you need a minimum of $200 or the business is a scam (that is, ALL companies who only accept Zelle, Venmo, etc.) Beware of these, since once you send the money, there is no recourse on recovery of your payment if the order is not sent. For some reason, the scam artists seem to be particularly active in "offering" 5.7 ammo and its components.
Does anyone know of a reliable online source? I will soon be running out of small pistol, small pistol match, small pistol magnum and small pistol magnum match!
Does anyone know of a reliable online source? I will soon be running out of small pistol, small pistol match, small pistol magnum and small pistol magnum match!
No but i do sell once fired ss197 and ss195 (BRASS not the ammo) on the forum often. A normal range trip for me i use 500 to 1000 rounds of 5.7, 9mm, LC 5.56 etcI also reload the 5.7X28 (Ruger 57), mostly because of the short supply and very high cost of factory ammo. However, primers are almost as hard to find. Even though Houston is a huge area, I get laughed at when I try to find them locally. Online, either you need a minimum of $200 or the business is a scam (that is, ALL companies who only accept Zelle, Venmo, etc.) Beware of these, since once you send the money, there is no recourse on recovery of your payment if the order is not sent. For some reason, the scam artists seem to be particularly active in "offering" 5.7 ammo and its components.
Does anyone know of a reliable online source? I will soon be running out of small pistol, small pistol match, small pistol magnum and small pistol magnum match!
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