Myth Busting: .22 Magnum vs. 5.7×28mm

Inevitably, Kel-Tec's new .22 Magnum (WMR) chambered PMR-30 pistol will be compared to the FN Five-seveN pistol which fires the ballistically similar 5.7x28mm cartridge. If people are not saying it now, they will be soon saying that the .22 Magnum is the same as the 5.7x28mm. I used to say the same thing. It turns out that this is far from the truth.

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Kel-Tec PMR-30 pistol. Photo by Oleg Volk.

fnm0004mb tfb Myth Busting: .22 Magnum vs. 5.7x28mm  photo
FN Five-seveN USG

Kel-Tec have stated [PDF Link] that a 40 grain .22 WMR round should reach a velocity of 1230 fps from the 4.3" barrel of their PMR-30 pistol. This works out to 134.40 ft/lbs of energy.

This is a significantly less than the FN Five-seveN USG (4.75" barrel), which can push a 40 grain bullet at 2009 fps. This works out to 358.57 ft/lbs! Nearly three times as powerful as the .22 WMR! 1

This does not mean that the .22 WMR is not a good cartridge. It simply means that the 5.7mm is optimized to be fired from a pistol, rather than the slower burning .22 WMR loads which are designed to be fired from a rifle.

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5.7x28mm. Image from Wikipedia.

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.22 Magnum / WMR. Image from Wikipedia.

UPDATE: Added correct link to specs on Kel-Tec's website : http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/downloads/SHOT2010_preview_keltec_PMR-30.pdf [PDF Link]


  1. I assume that the 5.8mm load mentioned above it a hot load. I also assume that Kel-Tec will be publishing the results of the best performing ammunition they could find 

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Steve Nov 23rd 2009 ammunition, handguns Tags: , , , , , , , , 55 Comments

55 Responses to “Myth Busting: .22 Magnum vs. 5.7×28mm”

  1. Calebon 24 Nov 2009 at 1:27 am link comment

    One of the best rounds for .22 magnum from a pistol is the CCI TNT 30 grain load. It uses a faster burning powder and generally acts like a “quality” pistol bullet when fired from a pistol.

  2. Steve Doran Trail Bosson 24 Nov 2009 at 2:18 am link comment

    The .22 mag is an excellent cartridge, one of my favorite rifles is a modified bolt action marlin that i had the barrel taken down to 16 1/2 inches. It is not only a tack driver, but will take down just about anything. If i can not kill it on the first shot I will certainly ruin its day.

    I hope the new pistol works well I have never had any luck with 22 mag auto-loaders, they were not reliable and had feeding problems. If it works reliably out of the box it will be one heck on a gun. Time will tell.

  3. Freiheiton 24 Nov 2009 at 2:32 am link comment

    So does that mean then that someone could make a .22WMR ‘pistol’ load that burns faster?

    It seems like a fairly solvable problem.

  4. j t bolton 24 Nov 2009 at 3:36 am link comment

    So if it’s not comparable to .22 WMR, what is it comparable to? .22 Hornet?

  5. Johnon 24 Nov 2009 at 4:41 am link comment

    My credit card is burning a hole waiting for a version in 5.7×28mm!

  6. dogon1013on 24 Nov 2009 at 5:23 am link comment

    I think the confusions stems from comparing 5.7 out of a pistol to .22magnum out of a rifle….These are ballistically similar.

    most velocity specs you find online for .22magnum are from a rifle length barrel, but they may not mention it when they post the specs.

    BTW here is a great write up comparing 5.7 and .22 magnum. http://www.chuckhawks.com/5-7×28_cop_killer.htm

  7. Jasonon 24 Nov 2009 at 5:53 am link comment

    I’d speculate the difference in velocity has less to do with the 22 WRM being “optimized” for a rifle length barrel than the fact that the 5.7 is a centerfire case with approximately twice the pressure as the 22.

  8. Matt Groomon 24 Nov 2009 at 6:09 am link comment

    I think a more important concern for most shooters is “Performance per Penny”. 40 Grain .22 WMR is running about $190 for 1000 rounds on certain websites, whereas 5.7×28 is running $450 per 1000. That’s 19 Cents per round of WMR vs. 45 cents per round of 5.7. That’s a 42% increase in cost per round.

    5.7 is a high pressure round, and that means better performance, but it also means more muzzle blast. In testing I have done, I have yet to find a 5.7 round that performs to the level of the numbers you have posted Steve. I think the round may be capable of this (in a Contender or Bolt Action), but nobody is pushing it to that level as of yet. For example, the SS197 which I chrono’d extensively produced a mere 1735 FPS average, which is 268 Ft/Lbs. Average with the 40 grain bullet. Now that’s a gain of about 51% over the Super-X 40 grain load out of the Kel-Tec. That load produces 1230 FPS and 138 Ft/Lbs in the PMR-30. Three times the energy it is NOT. 5.7×28 is optimized for performance out of 10″ SMG barrels, not pistol barrels.

    Many shooters who already own a .22 magnum rifle will be able to use the same ammo in their PMR-30. Five Seven Pistol owners will be able to use that ammo in their AR-57 or their PS-90s if they have that kind of scratch, but most of us can’t afford the pistol, much less the rifle. You could buy the Kel-Tec, 1000 rounds of ammo, and a bolt action .22 Magnum rifle for the cost of the FN Five Seven pistol alone. Maybe that’s why Kel-Tec didn’t simply make a 5.7×28 pistol.

    Considering the price difference between the two pistols and the difference in cost of the two ammo types, the marginal gains of the 5.7 cartridge do not in my mind justify the enormous price disparities.

  9. Rob Tayloron 24 Nov 2009 at 6:43 am link comment

    Even with the lower energy I still covet this. It’ll be cheaper to purchase and feed and if it’s as rugged as Kel-Tec makes them it might be the kind of semi-auto that ends up kicking around the boonies with me or slipped into the glove box.

    I’ve always though the .22 mag was a nice all purpose round. A little hard on tree rats if you’re a meat hunter bvut the trade of is being able to defend yourself from the occasional fox or feral dog.

  10. jdun1911on 24 Nov 2009 at 8:43 am link comment

    DocGKR made that assertion and he does have a Phd, IIRC. Spend his entire career in ballistic testing. He pointed out that the 5.7 has the same “wounding potential at best” to .22lr or .22 mag.

    http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19913

  11. Lanceon 24 Nov 2009 at 8:45 am link comment

    Yeah both rounds still over penetrate and are lousy for real personal defence rounds. 9mm .40 S&W and .45 ACP are 99.99% better rounds to use.

  12. dgon 24 Nov 2009 at 9:15 am link comment

    Why not make a 30rd 22lr? Id buy one of those faster that a 22mag version. 22lr also is cheaper to shoot, smaller cartridge, and wider selection of ammo. Although I do have to admit if reviews on this are any good ill have to pick one up. A 30rd handgun just pushes all my “buy this gun” buttons.

  13. Whateveron 24 Nov 2009 at 9:22 am link comment

    If the 22 WMR achieves about 1200 fps out of a 4-5 inch barrel, then what’s the advantage of a pistol chambered in 22 WMR over one chambered in 22 Long Rifle?

  14. Michaelon 24 Nov 2009 at 9:22 am link comment

    Check the velocity figures for the 5.7×28 out of a Five-Seven pistol.

    A 28gr. projectile at 2040 fps. = 258.9 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy.

    A 40gr. projectile at 1749 fps. = 271.8 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy.

  15. Steveon 24 Nov 2009 at 9:43 am link comment

    JTBolt. .22 Hornet is in another class. It sits between .22 Mag and .223 in the rifle class. It is very powerful (compared to a pistol cartridge).

  16. Steveon 24 Nov 2009 at 9:49 am link comment

    Whatever, good point, but I do not know the ballistics of a .22 out of a 4″ barrel. 40 grain .22LR tend to be the standard velocity (subsonic).

  17. Ermacon 24 Nov 2009 at 10:36 am link comment

    The 5.7×28mm hit less then a 9mm. Why would you want that? You have to draw the line when a caliber is too small.

  18. XxleoxXon 24 Nov 2009 at 1:09 pm link comment

    this gun from kel-tec seems pretty nice :) i just hope its still in existence when im actually old enough to buy one…about 5 years? i have a 5.7 (technically not mine) as for it hitting less than a 9mm,a small bullet traveling at over 700 m/s is sure to atleast make you flinch

  19. Bandito762on 24 Nov 2009 at 1:11 pm link comment

    I think the real issue here is how ugly both of these pea shooters are…

  20. El Duderinoon 24 Nov 2009 at 1:40 pm link comment

    Wow. I missed the original blog post re: the PMR-30. There is nothing on the Kel-Tec site that I’ve seen, and I go there quite a bit as I own a SU-16CA and covet an RFB…

    I’ve always wanted an old Grendel P-30, but I have reservations about getting a handgun with known feeding issues and $100 magazines that no one is making anymore. I guess Kel-Tec read my mind. Now make this pistol and a R-31 style with a 16″ barrel and a folding stock…now yer talkin’! Preorder me for one of each.

    As for the ballistic differences…I echo that neither cartridge is optimized for standard pistol length barrels. But, there are a lot of rifles chambered for pistol rounds that do just fine and vice versa. The beauty of the American gun market is particular guns don’t have to be useful or totally efficient, they just have to have buyers. Taurus Judge/Thunder Five I’m talking to YOU!

  21. Steveon 24 Nov 2009 at 1:50 pm link comment

    UPDATE: Added correct link to specs on Kel-Tec’s website : http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/downloads/SHOT2010_preview_keltec_PMR-30.pdf

  22. El Duderinoon 24 Nov 2009 at 1:55 pm link comment

    Oh jeez, to further my last point, I just saw the post for the WTS .50 BMG pistol. More evidence needed???

    I am going to found a company to design a derringer. .500 Nitro Express on the top barrel and a 10 gauge 3-1/2 shell on the bottom. It will be first gun ever made where the muzzle brake is heavier than the rest of the gun. Someone will buy it…

  23. El Duderinoon 24 Nov 2009 at 2:12 pm link comment

    Thanks Steve. Will start saving — and building up Honey Do credits.

  24. Heathon 24 Nov 2009 at 2:49 pm link comment

    Interesting. The 5mm pushes a 30 grain bullet at a reported 2300 fps. No idea if it has the same issues as the 22 Magnum with its being designed for a rifle and not the right powder for a handgun.

  25. Komradon 24 Nov 2009 at 3:08 pm link comment

    I like it. Functional, enough punch for plinking or small game, and enough ammo to take almost anything. If poachers can take deer with .22LR and Eskimos can take polar bear with a .22 hornet logic would hold that on could take elk with a .22 mag. What would make this gun really awesome would be a .17 HMR counterpart.

  26. carteron 24 Nov 2009 at 6:27 pm link comment

    How does one get the 358 ft lb figure if both bullets are 40 grains and are being driven with 21 fps of each other?

  27. matton 24 Nov 2009 at 6:40 pm link comment

    To Matt Groom,

    There are quite a few people who have pushed 40gr .224 bullets in the 5.7×28mm round to 2000-2100fps. Quite a few people have been doing it for some time. Apparently your research isn’t that good. SS190, SS192, SS195LF (white box) and SS198 are all capable of over 2000 fps.

    |———P90———|———-PS90———|——FiveseveN—-|

    SS190 —–(2350 fps)————-(2600 fps)————-(2100 fps)—–
    SS191 —–(2350 fps)————-(2600 fps)————-(2100 fps)—–
    SS192 —–(2350 fps)————-(2600 fps)————-(2100 fps)—–
    SB193 —–(1000 fps)—————————————————-
    T194 ——(2350 fps)————–(2600 fps)————-(2100 fps)—–
    SS195 —–(2350 fps)————-(2600 fps)————-(2100 fps)—–
    NEW SS195-(2220.5)—————(1470.5)————–(1970.5)——-
    SS196 —–(1800 fps)————-(1950 fps)————-(1550 fps)—–
    SS197 —–(1950 fps)————-(2100 fps)————-(1675 fps)—–
    SS198 —–(2500 fps)———————————–(2200 fps)—-

  28. Steveon 24 Nov 2009 at 6:42 pm link comment

    matt, can you please post a link with the source of that ballistic info.

    I am impressed with the P90 performance.

  29. matton 24 Nov 2009 at 6:49 pm link comment

    certainly.

    http://www.fivesevenforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=55

  30. Steveon 24 Nov 2009 at 8:30 pm link comment

    matt, thanks.

  31. Matt Groomon 25 Nov 2009 at 4:01 am link comment

    Matt,

    I’m pretty sure we were talking about pistols, fella. Apparently your reading skills aren’t that good, because if you actually, uhh, READ the tables, or know anything about the cartridges that are listed, you will see that there are NO 40 grain bullets pushed to those velocities from a pistol. Also, they don’t sell those rounds to civilians, so why do you care how fast the can go?

    Also, I’ve done actual testing with a real chronograph and a real gun and real bullets, fanboy. So yes, my “research” of scanning the internet for information is apparently lacking due to my heavy reliance on real world data obtained through the scientific method.

    You will also note that the actual numbers I published are slightly higher from the Five Seven pistol than the numbers published by DML5. Energy=Mass x Velocity Squared. That means if the numbers posted for the 40 grain SS196 and SS197 do not meet much less exceed the numbers I got, that it still is not capable of producing “three times” the muzzle energy out of a pistol. Perhaps it isn’t my research skills that are challenged after all.

  32. Mehul Kamdaron 25 Nov 2009 at 6:23 am link comment

    As the 5.7 mm is a centerfire round, it can be loaded to much higher pressures than the 22 WMR which has to be fired via a priming compound in the rim. This is why a major revolution in the history of firearms came about when gunmakers switched from large bore rimfires (IIRC the biggest rimfire rounds were .577 cal before gunmakers stopped building guns for them) to centerfires.

    That said, the Kel Tec pistol does look interesting and it could be a fun pistol to own if someone has a rifle in the same caliber. As Heath has pointed out, the 5mm rimfire was much more powerful – since Aguila makes 5mm RF ammunition again and sells it in the USA, maybe Keltec could look at chambering their pistol for it? I keep hearing rumors on some forums about some gunmaker or the other planning to offer the 5mm rimfire but have seen nothing to suggest that there is anything imminent. Sad!

  33. matton 25 Nov 2009 at 1:19 pm link comment

    Matt Groom,

    I was merely posting factory ammunition tables to show velocities of all factory 5.7 ammo. SS192/195 is available to civilians btw. SS198 can be had also, but isn’t worth the cost, and even for $700 you can get your hands on SS190. The table was in response to your statement:

    ” I have yet to find a 5.7 round that performs to the level of the numbers you have posted Steve I think the round may be capable of this (in a Contender or Bolt Action), but nobody is pushing it to that level as of yet.” You make no mention of the SS197SR round before you stated that, so I took it as you meant that there are no 5.7 loadings that are over 2000 fps in the FSN. Which as the table shows there are. I agree that the three times is off. It’s two times.

    and You didn’t read my reply. I said “There are quite a few people who have pushed 40gr .224 bullets in the 5.7×28mm round to 2000-2100fps. Quite a few people have been doing it for some time.”

    Quite a few people (I didn’t says FNH themselves) have pushed 40gr 5.7 loadings to over 2000fps. EA’s Protector Round (40gr) has published 2080 fps again from the FSN. they also achieve 1900 fps from a 45gr loading also. They have achieved 2500-2600fps from their 28gr loading. GunBlast did an article on the FSN. You can find his velocity figures of all civilian ownable ammo here:
    http://www.gunblast.com/FN-FiveseveN.htm

    Just because I don’t have the time and money to spend on a chrono, doesn’t mean I should be called a fan-boy because I simply have interjected Facts into the discussion.

    I’m waiting to see what kind of loads are developed for this pistol. It’s obvious that current .22WMR rounds are meant for long barrel rifles.

  34. Matt Groomon 25 Nov 2009 at 2:29 pm link comment

    Matt,

    So, what you’re saying is, you decided to attack my statement and my research abilities before you even finished reading my entire comment?

    “Quite a few people have been doing it for some time.” First of all, the expression ‘quite a few’ indicates several people or at least more than one. You only cite one company, and while it is little defense, I myself have never heard of them before this blog entry.

    Second, I clearly state that I did not think those numbers were impossible, simply that I had not found ammo that produced those numbers from factory ammo and no, boutique operations do not count as ‘factories’. I hope Elite Ammunition does very well, but at $44.95 per 50 round box, I do not perceive of any possibility that I will ever be buying this ninety-cent-a-round brand myself. I mean, that’s double the price of the FN loadings made by Fiocchi.

    Third, none of the Elite Ammo is listed in the charts you linked to.

    Fourth, why is it the people who designed the pistol, the cartridge, and everything related to the metrics of the loadings in question, don’t push it to those levels even in their military loadings? Could it be that its not very safe?

    All of the pictures appear to have been removed, possibly as part of a settlement agreement, but here’s the link to at least one unfortunate victim of overpressure 5.7 ammo:

    http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=362563

    But on the internet, our words live forever!

    http://braingoodbye.com/with-guns-like-these-who-needs-enemies

  35. matton 25 Nov 2009 at 3:31 pm link comment

    Matt G,

    check the link to gun blast the chart is there.

    AMMUNITION BULLET WEIGHT VELOCITY ACCURACY
    Elite PenetraTOR 55 1464 3.375″
    Elite ProtecTOR 40 2009 3.000″
    Elite VarminTOR 36 2104 2.500″
    Elite Ultra RapTOR 28 2518 2.875″
    Elite IlluminaTOR 53.5 1470 3.125″
    FNH SS195 LF 27.5 2040 3.250″
    FNH SS197 SR 40 1749 1.625″

    You’ll note Jeff was able to achieve over 2000fps with SS195LF. Factory ammo is more than capable of 2000+ FPS, as original chart showed. EA has been around for at least 3yrs to my knowledge. I only used thier loadings as one of the “few” people who have been able to pump out good loads for this caliber. I make no claims about their pricing. They’re the only ones doing it on a larger scale, so they easily get what they do for their products.

    reloading information is abundant on the FSN forum. I will dig up some loadings of 1800-2000+ fps in .40gr. for comparison, I’ve limited it to 40gr as both loadings exist in each caliber.

    That blown up IOM was a result of a double charged round (reloaded). FNH duplicated the failure, and replaced the guy’s gun with a new one.

  36. matton 25 Nov 2009 at 6:24 pm link comment

    “Out of the FsN, the most you can expect out of a quality 45gr bullet is about 2000fps (…and thats pushing things). For a 40gr bullet you can get in the vicinity of 2080fps with Blue Dot, Acc#7, or HS-7″ One reloader.

    Another was just shy of 2000fps using a .40gr

    Powder: Blue Dot, 6.9 gr
    Bullet: Hornday V-Max, 40 gr
    Case: 1x SS197SR
    Case Length: 1.135″
    Overall Length: 1.585″
    Primer: CCI 400
    No Crimp, No Glue

    AVG from 15 feet 1965 FPS.

    Another:

    Blue Dot

    45gr Barnes TSX. Trim: 1.135″ OAL: 1.575″ Primer: CCI 400
    Avg 1950FPS

    And Another:

    40gr Combined Technology Ballistic Silvertip Trim: 1.135″ OAL: 1.580″ Virgin SS197 brass/primer

    8.5gr: 1991fps
    8.6gr: 2007fps
    8.7gr: 2015fps
    8.8gr: 2000fps

    There are more too, but it’s quite obvious ~2000fps loadings can be accomplished with commercially available components. Like I said I stuck with the .40-45gr loadings to stay close to the .22WMR loadings being discussed.

    Like I said I agree that the figure given for SS197SR in the main blog is from that of a PS90 or P90, and not from a FSN, resulting in the correct statement to be two times, not three times.

    I’d like to see if anyone develops better loadings for the .22WMR to see how close they can get to 5.7 numbers. As shown in the original chart, Factory 5.7 loads in the FSN are capable of over 2000fps.

  37. jdun1911on 25 Nov 2009 at 7:27 pm link comment

    Matt G,

    I remember that. I collect KB! pictures and for some reason I didn’t get the chance to save them.

    IIRC he did some videos that shows the fiveseven can go out of battery easily. I think that videos were also removed.

  38. Matt Groomon 26 Nov 2009 at 12:39 am link comment

    Matt,

    Stop cherry picking the data you cite in order to find your velocity based argument. If it doesn’t have a 40 grain bullet, isn’t fired from a pistol, and doesn’t come from factory ammo, it is irrelevant to this argument and my initial statements.

    I have already conceded that the Elite Ammo can achieve these numbers possibly at the price of safety. I also said in my original post that I thought those numbers were perfectly possible, just that it wasn’t done in factory ammo yet. You have yet to disprove this statement. You can do it with reloads? Good for you. I never said you couldn’t. I never said it was impossible. I said factory loads don’t achieve that kind of energy out of pistols. And they don’t. SS195 is a 27 grain bullet. It is irrelevant as data, as it does not achieve the energy figures I originally questioned. This is not Global Warming and you can’t just pick whatever figures you want to suit your argument.

  39. matton 26 Nov 2009 at 4:33 pm link comment

    MG,

    your later reply was questioning whether or not my statement about people pushing 40gr bullets to ~2000fps, which is why I posted those loading stats. I never stated anywhere factory SS197SR was capable of 2000fps in the pistol. Read my previous statement, that I agreed that the original blog #s are fudged and they are form the P90, not the pistol.

    How have you conceded that about EA? That blown up IOM you posted pictures of, was of that gentlemans own reloads, not someone else’s and not elite ammunition. I guess our discussions went different ways as I took your original statement of “numbers” to refer to velocity only. It’s already well stated that the .22WMR currently falls short in pistol form compared to any factory, civilian attainable 5.7 ammo. Like I said it will be interesting to see if a manufacturer is able to push .22WMR faster out of the pistol. Kind of like the Person Defense .410 pistol ammo they have for the judge.

  40. Whiton 29 Nov 2009 at 11:27 am link comment

    Too many numbers for me. I just want one to add to the collection. I have 3 KT’s and all are fun as is the Judge and Saiga 12.

  41. JWolfon 30 Nov 2009 at 11:29 am link comment

    EA ammo is factory ammo. We manufacture 5.7×28 and beside FN contract makers we are the only ones.

    Our loads are not over pressure and that FB of a FsN pistol was done by the owner himself owns hand load.

    FsN Pistol
    S4 UltraRapTOR 2,600fps 28gr
    ProtecTOR Personal Defense 2,092fps 40gr V-max
    PenetraTOR Tac-Op 1,800 fps 55gr FMJBT Mil Spec
    IlluminaTOR Tracer 1,800 fps 55gr Mil Spec tracer
    QuieTOR Subsonic 912 fps 55gr FMJBT
    VarminaTOR 2,202 fps 36gr Barnes V.G.
    X-TerminaTOR 1,975 fps 45gr Barnes TSX
    SinTOR 1,850 fps 36gr SinterFire bullet

    Our numbers have been confirmed by many third party testers including the Feb edition of Combat Handguns who did an article on the FsN and EA ammunition.

    You can find out more factual information at http://www.fivesevenforum.com

  42. Steveon 30 Nov 2009 at 12:12 pm link comment

    JWolf, thanks for the comment.

  43. JWolfon 30 Nov 2009 at 1:55 pm link comment

    Oh and yes I think that Kel-Tec is cool and YES I will buy one!

  44. Seanon 30 Nov 2009 at 6:48 pm link comment

    Feh. If I a want heavy and slow, “knock ‘em down with a flying ashtray” caliber I reach for my 1911.

    If I want to push a little 85 grain pill at 1600 feet per second, I reach for my Polish Tokarev. Both the pistol and surplus ammo are incredibly well made and incredibly affordable. Nearly the energy of a 45, too. There are hollowpoints made by numerous companies in 7.62×25 that do damage that has to be seen to be believed.

    Re-inventing the wheel, is all that silly, overpriced 5.7×28 Blueshirt Bullet is, really.

  45. matton 01 Dec 2009 at 4:59 am link comment

    I see from gel tests they penetrate on average the same amount as standard 9mm, .40, .45ACP.

    Here’s wolf JHP

    http://www.brassfetcher.com/Wolf%2085gr%20Copper%20JHP.html

    The FMJ on the other hand penetrates quite well, which ideally is too much for self defense purposes.
    http://www.brassfetcher.com/762×25mm.html

    I’d be interested to see if non steel core FMJ 7.62×25 could penetrate body armor.

  46. Anonon 14 Dec 2009 at 2:02 pm link comment

    So the Fiven-seveN achieves more energy then the .22 Magnum out of a Rifle is what you should be saying. That puts it in better perspective.

    And please do include Elite Ammunition in the comparison otherwise that’s like saying the 10mm can do no better then the .40 S&W because that was the only main manufacturer loading for a long time despite it’s real capability. Boutique or not, if it can safely reach high levels those should be what are measured.

  47. ronon 15 Dec 2009 at 3:38 pm link comment

    What may be the source of confusion is that the ballistics of the 5.7 PISTOL are actually VERY close to the ballistics of a 22 Magnum Rimfire out of a RIFLE.

    Similarly, confusion exists betwen 5.7 carbine ballistics and 5.7 pistol ballistics, causing some people to claim that velocities out of the pistol are higher than they really are, when in fact they are erroniously substituting 5.7 carbine ballistics for 5.7 pistiol ballistics.

    Generally, 22 magnum ballistics out of a PISTOL will be the equivelent of 22 Long rifle ballistics out of a Rifle.

    Most all cartridges gain 25 to 45 fps of velocity for every inch of barrel added an dlose that amount for every inch of barrel length subtracted, depending on the expansion ratio of the individua cartridge which is the relationship between bore size and case capacity.

  48. JWolfon 16 Dec 2009 at 5:36 am link comment

    That would be why I included the ballistic tables. You also have to take into account the type of projectiles used and their performance over 22mag projectiles.

    The 28gr Aluminum cored bullet is actually longer then a 62gr FMJ .223 bullet.
    Giving it a very good BC and startling performance on target.

  49. ronon 17 Dec 2009 at 7:35 am link comment

    To JWolf: You’re absolutely right that the larger capacity center fire cartridge has an advantage when it comes to projectiles, but it’s a moot point since in comparing the two pistols, the 5.7 FN is developing approximate 22 magnum rimfire rifle velocities out of a pistol while the kel-tec 30 is producing 22 LR RIFLE ballistics out of pistol and that’s not even comparable.

    That being said, I wouldn’t want to be shot 30 times with a 22 LR rifle, and in that regard the new keltec will prove to be a formidable weapon as long as they work out all the technical bugs and end up with something that absolutely without exception goes bang! every time the trigger is squeezed, just like the kel-tec 32 that I’ve owned and have carried daily for the past six years always does. Ditto for their 9mm carbines, total reliability.

    Keltec has also come out recently with a bullpup, forward ejecting .308 rifle that will sell for about $1200 bucks. They are fast becoming a serious cutting edge manufacturer of top quality firearms.

  50. Arielon 23 Jan 2010 at 7:05 am link comment

    So, “current” .22 mag loads don’t perform like the 5.7 out of a pistol. But, if .22 mag pistols take off, is there any reason .22 mag pistol loads could not be developed that would approximate the 5.7. I don’t see why not.

  51. JWolfon 24 Jan 2010 at 9:22 am link comment

    Case can’t handle the pressure and neither could the gun. Rim fire primer would give you problems also. That’s why it was dropped many years ago in favor of modern primers.

  52. Dave in Dallason 24 Feb 2010 at 11:03 am link comment

    I”m guessing here, but the .22 mag is a rifle cartridge and if they made it with faster burning powder it would probably be too much of a peak pressure cartridge for a pistol. Or at least for a pistol without a gigantic chamber/barrel forging to hold in the pressure.

    Thus being too heavy and unpleasant, and prompting the question – why not just get a 9mm?

    But because it’s a rifle cartridge, the longer the barrel, the faster the bullet. And since a .22 LR is not a slow burner, it sort of ‘catches up’ to the .22 mag in a short barrel situation. THe mag’s powder charge explodes outside the barrel, making a big boom and a nice flame blast but not contributing to the speed of the bullet. THe .22LR is mostly finished burning when the bullet comes out of the barrel, so less flame and bang but more efficient use of its powder.

    the magnum is faster, but not twice as fast, from a pistol barrel. Probably 1/4 faster or less.

    THat said, I”m buying this new Keltec as soon as I can. LOVE the .22 mag, even from a pistol. Love the boom, love the flames. Supersonic. a 30 grain probably will get better than 1400 fps at the muzzle from this pistol, better than a revolver because there’s no cylinder gap to weaken the push.

  53. Kalanion 12 Mar 2010 at 6:33 pm link comment

    The five-seven has bullets that are pushed to the 2300fps or higher, made my speciality remanufaturers. Such as Elite Ammo and Desert ammo supply. In fact Desert ammo loaded me some custom 50 grain flat nose bullet going 1950 ft.

  54. JWolfon 14 Mar 2010 at 8:37 am link comment

    Desert ammo supply, I would love to see that ammo chronographed since they are using Dillon 550 shell plates bought from us and 1x brass.

    Is that 1950 from a pistol or PS90?

  55. Rod Donovanon 16 Mar 2010 at 8:58 am link comment

    Whoa! I just saw the new PMR 30 pistol from Kel-Tec. I can at least stop crying now that I will be able to buy a replacement of my lost Grendel P-30. I loved that gun. I hope I can still find one somewhere. It did have a propensity to move the safety from fire to safe during shooting. Other than that and “Oh me God! When will this thing run out of bullets? I wanna go home…….. The price is a little steep though, considering all the $350-400 guns going around with larger calibers. As for a 22LR, don’t pay attention to these cheap penny pinchers. 22 mag it is. Can’t wait..

    Master Rod

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