Plinking 5.7x28 ammo? Ever?

Beretta686 · February 2, 2013, 10:31 AM

I strolled across an FN Five-Seven at the PX yesterday at an obscenely low price given that they're pushing $2000 on gunbroker and I pounced all over it. Now that I have this marvelous new toy, I'm also stuck with a technologically advanced, extremely lightweight paperweight which I can dry-fire to my heart's content as there's no ammo to be found.

However, once the current feeding-frenzy subsides and ammo prices start creeping down, I'm wondering if there's anyone out there such as Wolf, Tula, S&B or whatever who's developing a cheaper 5.7x28 plinking round?

I'd love to keep the gun and use it, but if I'm always going to be paying top $$$ to feed a novelty item that's not a machine-gun it doesn't make much sense to keep it.

Crosswire3 · February 2, 2013, 11:48 AM

I just sold mine during the frenzy for the same reason (among others). Even when reloading, it was high cost in components and time for the satisfaction I got from shooting it. Additionally, no matter how careful one is, the coating on the casings required for extraction is flat out fragile (as is the brass itself). Of course you can spray on a replacement but it means stripping the original. In the end it was too much time/$/work to use it as a plinker. That said, it is a fun round. Moving about twice as fast as a standard handgun round makes it fun for longer range pistol shooting.

I hear you on the plinking ammo question...that could really bring it to life!

DPris · February 2, 2013, 11:51 AM

The caliber will never achieve sufficient popularity for major ammomakers to get on board with either low pricing or any great variety of loads.
Denis

PSP · February 2, 2013, 11:58 AM

It seems there would be an appreciative market for a lower powered, cheaper practice ammo. Elite ammo, Georga Arms, ... are you listening? For now, the only way to get a decent price is to buy in bulk. It comes in 2000 cases. Because of the governmental threats though, ammo is scarce.

The Federal ammo may be the closest we'll get.

At least the round has found it's way into several rifles and a couple more handguns.

smee78 · February 2, 2013, 04:02 PM

I always thought the ar uppers for this round were neat, taking the p90 mags and dumping the empties out the ar mag well was an interesting idea.

sigcurious · February 2, 2013, 05:14 PM

Last year or the year before Federal got rights to start producing 5.7 ammo under the American Eagle brand. Before the craziness it was going for about $20/box plus or minus a buck or two.

kinoons · February 3, 2013, 12:14 AM

Once fired brass goes for $0.17, primers are $0.04, bullets maybe $0.24, and only a few cents worth of powder. So first run costs $0.50ish, and following runs are $0.30.

Prior to the madness the going rate was 50rds/$25. Now the rate on the open market is 50/$50-$60.

Venom1956 · February 3, 2013, 12:19 AM

how much is a "good deal" im mainly curious.

Beretta686 · February 3, 2013, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Once fired brass goes for $0.17, primers are $0.04, bullets maybe $0.24, and only a few cents worth of powder. So first run costs $0.50ish, and following runs are $0.30.

Indeed, but you're only counting the direct costs per round. You're not factoring in the time, equipment costs and facilities to reload that factor into choosing to reload.

I'd love to reload, as I love 10mm and the only way to afford to shoot it is to reload. But I don't have the space to do it, without turning my delightful bachelor pad into a workshop. And as much as I love shooting, I like women more.

I think I may regrettably sell this gun even though I'd love to keep it, as I already have enough safe queens.

kinoons · February 3, 2013, 09:35 AM

A simple reloading setup need not be much larger than a potted plant stand. I got into reloading for a Finn m28/76 that was picky, so reloading my 5.7 wasn't a big deal.

I understand if you don't want to reload. However, if not doing so a fiveseven is an expensive duck to feed.

FairWarning · February 3, 2013, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPris

The caliber will never achieve sufficient popularity for major ammomakers to get on board with either low pricing or any great variety of loads.
Denis

Yep. I think it will always be a niche round. If you want something off the beaten path (and I often do), you'll have to be prepared for everything that goes along with it.

m&p45acp10+1 · February 3, 2013, 10:27 AM

Baretta686 you can get a hand press kit, and dies for around $100 plus or minus a few. Add a pound of powder $20 to $25. Bullets, and primers. You can fit the whole set up in a shoe box.

February 2, 2013, 10:31 AM	#1
Beretta686 Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 761	Plinking 5.7x28 ammo? Ever? I strolled across an FN Five-Seven at the PX yesterday at an obscenely low price given that they're pushing $2000 on gunbroker and I pounced all over it. Now that I have this marvelous new toy, I'm also stuck with a technologically advanced, extremely lightweight paperweight which I can dry-fire to my heart's content as there's no ammo to be found. However, once the current feeding-frenzy subsides and ammo prices start creeping down, I'm wondering if there's anyone out there such as Wolf, Tula, S&B or whatever who's developing a cheaper 5.7x28 plinking round? I'd love to keep the gun and use it, but if I'm always going to be paying top $$$ to feed a novelty item that's not a machine-gun it doesn't make much sense to keep it. __________________ "Our contract called for 16 cases of rifles and ammunition for $10,000 dollars, not a machine gun...........That is our present to the General"-Pike Bishop “When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.”

February 2, 2013, 11:58 AM	#4
PSP Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2006 Location: Bowling Green Virginia Posts: 4,487	It seems there would be an appreciative market for a lower powered, cheaper practice ammo. Elite ammo, Georga Arms, ... are you listening? For now, the only way to get a decent price is to buy in bulk. It comes in 2000 cases. Because of the governmental threats though, ammo is scarce. The Federal ammo may be the closest we'll get. At least the round has found it's way into several rifles and a couple more handguns. Last edited by PSP; February 3, 2013 at 04:31 PM.

February 2, 2013, 04:02 PM	#5
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	I always thought the ar uppers for this round were neat, taking the p90 mags and dumping the empties out the ar mag well was an interesting idea. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

February 3, 2013, 12:19 AM	#8
Venom1956 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2008 Location: WI Posts: 3,656	how much is a "good deal" im mainly curious. __________________ E-Shock rounds are engineered to expend maximum energy into soft targets, turning the density mass into an expanding rotational cone of NyTrilium matrix particles, causing neurological collapse to the central nervous system.- Yeah I can do that. I guarantee you will know it if a bicyclist hits your house going 1000 mph. -Smaug

February 3, 2013, 10:27 AM	#12
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	Baretta686 you can get a hand press kit, and dies for around $100 plus or minus a few. Add a pound of powder $20 to $25. Bullets, and primers. You can fit the whole set up in a shoe box. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

February 2, 2013, 11:48 AM	#2
Crosswire3 Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Posts: 49	I just sold mine during the frenzy for the same reason (among others). Even when reloading, it was high cost in components and time for the satisfaction I got from shooting it. Additionally, no matter how careful one is, the coating on the casings required for extraction is flat out fragile (as is the brass itself). Of course you can spray on a replacement but it means stripping the original. In the end it was too much time/$/work to use it as a plinker. That said, it is a fun round. Moving about twice as fast as a standard handgun round makes it fun for longer range pistol shooting. I hear you on the plinking ammo question...that could really bring it to life!

February 2, 2013, 11:51 AM	#3
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	The caliber will never achieve sufficient popularity for major ammomakers to get on board with either low pricing or any great variety of loads. Denis

February 2, 2013, 05:14 PM	#6
sigcurious Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2011 Posts: 1,755	Last year or the year before Federal got rights to start producing 5.7 ammo under the American Eagle brand. Before the craziness it was going for about $20/box plus or minus a buck or two.

February 3, 2013, 12:14 AM	#7
kinoons Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2008 Location: las vegas, NV Posts: 409	Once fired brass goes for $0.17, primers are $0.04, bullets maybe $0.24, and only a few cents worth of powder. So first run costs $0.50ish, and following runs are $0.30. Prior to the madness the going rate was 50rds/$25. Now the rate on the open market is 50/$50-$60.

February 3, 2013, 09:35 AM	#10
kinoons Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2008 Location: las vegas, NV Posts: 409	A simple reloading setup need not be much larger than a potted plant stand. I got into reloading for a Finn m28/76 that was picky, so reloading my 5.7 wasn't a big deal. I understand if you don't want to reload. However, if not doing so a fiveseven is an expensive duck to feed.