5.7 ammunition identification / coating question

simonrichter · April 23, 2024, 01:09 PM

I could finally get my hands on some rounds of 5.7 x 28.
1.) Since the ammo came in bulk, without boxes, don't know what exactly it is - it can't be the SS190 since that would be illegal here as well, but I found no other one that looks like it outwardly - maybe you can help me out:

- The headstamp simply reads: FNB 5.7x28 21, which I'd take for "Fabrique Nationale Belgium, 5.7x28, produced 2021" and doesn't give away much

- the bullet is a simple FMJ spitzer w/o any color markings

- the primer is brass, not silverish in color

- obviously, it can only be a normal FMJ ball w/o any steel or the like inside

> can anybody tell me which subtype this might be?

2.) If you'd manage to reload these things but scraped off the coating without noticing, what would be the worst thing that could happen when firing it in a pistol? (Ruger 57, that is...)

thx

Shadow9mm · April 25, 2024, 07:19 PM

On point 2, The stuff i saw when i looked into reloading for it a few years back, the guy was saying he was getting around 2-3 reloads with intermittent extraction problems.

It could be steel core. Its probably not, but its not impossible. Stick a magnet on it and find out.

FNB headstamp is probably FN.

According to this website https://forum.cartridgecollectors.or...m-for-fn/11132 it is produced by Fiocchi and distributed through federal in the US.

wild cat mccane · April 25, 2024, 08:37 PM

Bet it is Federal.

simonrichter · May 3, 2024, 12:26 PM

does Federal ammo still have an FN headstamp?

wild cat mccane · May 3, 2024, 12:49 PM

If you look into it there's interesting stories about who actually makes this Federal cases (Fiocchi). Don't know if it's still true.

I had no idea, but started looking. Most complicated case history of any cartridge I can think of.

The "FNB" kinda points to Federal, made by Fiocchi and not FN or Federal.

But Federal is so big, it might not be true any longer that don't make it, but you bag clearly is FNB marked, so that might not matter at all.

**44 AMP** · May 3, 2024, 01:01 PM

Where did you get it, and how was it advertised??

A reputable dealer will know where they got it, what ammo it is, and won't sell ammo that is not civilian legal in the US.

Someone else might not be so careful.

April 23, 2024, 01:09 PM	#1
simonrichter Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2011 Location: Austria Posts: 761	5.7 ammunition identification / coating question I could finally get my hands on some rounds of 5.7 x 28. 1.) Since the ammo came in bulk, without boxes, don't know what exactly it is - it can't be the SS190 since that would be illegal here as well, but I found no other one that looks like it outwardly - maybe you can help me out: - The headstamp simply reads: FNB 5.7x28 21, which I'd take for "Fabrique Nationale Belgium, 5.7x28, produced 2021" and doesn't give away much - the bullet is a simple FMJ spitzer w/o any color markings - the primer is brass, not silverish in color - obviously, it can only be a normal FMJ ball w/o any steel or the like inside > can anybody tell me which subtype this might be? 2.) If you'd manage to reload these things but scraped off the coating without noticing, what would be the worst thing that could happen when firing it in a pistol? (Ruger 57, that is...) thx __________________ "Get off of my lawn!" Walt Kowalski . ISSC PAR .223

April 25, 2024, 07:19 PM	#2
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,986	On point 2, The stuff i saw when i looked into reloading for it a few years back, the guy was saying he was getting around 2-3 reloads with intermittent extraction problems. It could be steel core. Its probably not, but its not impossible. Stick a magnet on it and find out. FNB headstamp is probably FN. According to this website https://forum.cartridgecollectors.or...m-for-fn/11132 it is produced by Fiocchi and distributed through federal in the US. __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload. Last edited by Shadow9mm; April 26, 2024 at 07:23 PM.

April 25, 2024, 08:37 PM	#3
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,642	Bet it is Federal. __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.

May 3, 2024, 12:26 PM	#4
simonrichter Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2011 Location: Austria Posts: 761	does Federal ammo still have an FN headstamp? __________________ "Get off of my lawn!" Walt Kowalski . ISSC PAR .223

May 3, 2024, 12:49 PM	#5
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,642	If you look into it there's interesting stories about who actually makes this Federal cases (Fiocchi). Don't know if it's still true. I had no idea, but started looking. Most complicated case history of any cartridge I can think of. The "FNB" kinda points to Federal, made by Fiocchi and not FN or Federal. But Federal is so big, it might not be true any longer that don't make it, but you bag clearly is FNB marked, so that might not matter at all. __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.

May 3, 2024, 01:01 PM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,901	Where did you get it, and how was it advertised?? A reputable dealer will know where they got it, what ammo it is, and won't sell ammo that is not civilian legal in the US. Someone else might not be so careful. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.