Best 5.7x28mm Ammo
Compare loads for defense, target, competition & more
The 5.7x28mm was developed by FN Herstal in the late 1980s for the P90 personal defense weapon and Five-seveN pistol. The cartridge uses a bottleneck case to fire a .224" bullet at rifle-like velocities from compact platforms. Standard loads push 27-40 grain bullets at 1,650-2,350 fps depending on barrel length.
NATO evaluated the 5.7x28mm alongside H&K's 4.6x30mm for the PDW requirement. FN won the competition, and the round saw adoption by military and law enforcement units worldwide. The Secret Service reportedly uses Five-seveN pistols for protective details. The cartridge's flat trajectory and low recoil make hits easier at extended pistol distances.
Civilian shooters appreciate the 5.7x28mm for its unique characteristics. The FN Five-seveN holds 20 rounds in a flush-fit magazine. Recoil is lighter than 9mm despite higher velocities. The cartridge's performance improves significantly from the PS90's 16-inch barrel, where velocities approach 2,350 fps with light bullets.
All 5.7x28mm Loads
Compare ballistics and prices across 6 products
| PRODUCT ↕ | GRAIN ↕ | VELOCITY ↕ | ENERGY ↕ | BC ↕ | USE CASE ↕ | BEST PRICE ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Federal American Eagle 5.7x28mm 40gr TMJ Ammo
40gr
• 1655 fps
|
40gr | 1655 | 243 | .2 | — | $0.53/rd |
|
Fiocchi Hyperformance 5.7x28mm 35gr Frangible Ammo
35gr
• 1750 fps
|
35gr | 1750 | 238 | .15 | — | $0.99/rd |
|
Fiocchi Hyperformance 5.7x28mm 40gr Polymer Tip Ammo
40gr
• 1750 fps
|
40gr | 1750 | 272 | .2 | — | $0.54/rd |
|
FN Herstal SS195LF 5.7x28mm 27gr Lead-Free JHP Ammo
27gr
• 2132 fps
|
27gr | 2132 | 282 | .12 | — | $0.94/rd |
|
FN Herstal SS197SR 5.7x28mm 40gr V-Max Ammo
40gr
• 2034 fps
|
40gr | 2034 | 256 | .2 | — | $0.71/rd |
|
Speer Gold Dot 5.7x28mm 40gr JHP Ammo
40gr
• 1800 fps
|
40gr | 1800 | 288 | .2 | — | $0.86/rd |
5.7x28mm Trajectory Calculator
Calculate drop, velocity, and energy at any range
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
- High capacity magazines (20 rounds in the Five-seveN pistol)
- Very light recoil despite high velocities
- Flat trajectory makes longer shots easier than conventional pistol calibers
- Reduced risk of over-penetration compared to rifle calibers
- Armor-defeating capability with restricted ammunition (LE/military only)
- Low felt recoil allows fast follow-up shots
Cons
- Ammunition is expensive ($0.50-1.00+ per round)
- Limited firearm options (primarily FN platforms and Ruger-57)
- Terminal performance is debated compared to traditional pistol calibers
- Light bullets may not penetrate intermediate barriers as effectively
- Availability can be inconsistent at local retailers
- Small bullet diameter limits wound channel size