Looking for the best 5.7×28 ammo? It’s one of the more unique and versatile rounds available today, known for its high velocity and flat trajectory. Initially developed by FN Herstal in the 1990s, the 5.7x28mm met NATO’s need for a new personal defense weapon (PDW) cartridge to penetrate body armor while maintaining low recoil and manageable performance.

Whether plinking at the range, using it for self-defense, or looking for a small, high-velocity round for your rifle or pistol, the 5.7x28mm cartridge offers an intriguing alternative to more traditional rounds like the 9mm.

In this article, we’ll explore the history, ballistics, and specifications of the 5.7x28mm cartridge, compare it to the widely popular 9mm, and help you find the best 5.7×28 ammo for your needs, whether for range shooting or home defense.

Best 5.7×28 Ammo: Plinking & Defense

When choosing 5.7×28 ammo, it’s important to consider the grain weight and bullet type, especially if you’re using the round for different purposes like target shooting, self-defense, or plinking. Keep in mind, that most manufacturers use a 4″ or 4.5″ barrel for testing, so ballistic numbers will vary depending on your gun. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best 5.7×28 ammo available today:

Plinking/Range Ammo

Fiocchi FMJ 40gr

Range Dynamics by Fiocchi offers shooters an affordable option for plinking and training at the range.

Fiocchi’s 40-grain full metal jacket (FMJ) ammo is a great option for plinking and range practice. It’s affordable, consistent, and offers good accuracy. This is a solid choice if you want to spend time on the range without breaking the bank. The lighter bullet weight works well with both pistols and rifles. Fiocchi 40-grain FMJ cartridges leave the muzzle at about 1,700FPS. 

Federal 5.7x28mm 40 Grain American Eagle FMJ - 50 Rounds

$36.85

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Federal American Eagle 5.7x28mm 40 Grain FMJ – 500 Rounds

$309.85

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Federal American Eagle FMJ 40gr

Keep more money in your pocket while training with Federal American Eagle FMJ 5.7x28mm ammo.

Federal’s American Eagle line is known for its reliable performance. Their 40-grain FMJ 5.7x28mm rounds are great for target practice and plinking. It’s a bit more refined than other range ammo, offering cleaner shooting and better accuracy over longer sessions. The projectiles leave the muzzle at about 1,655 FPS. 

Federal 5.7x28mm 40 Grain American Eagle FMJ - 50 Rounds

$36.85

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Federal American Eagle 5.7x28mm 40 Grain FMJ – 500 Rounds

$309.85

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FN SS201 FMJ 40gr

The FN GUNR 5.7x28mm training round puts new targets in reach for 5.7 enthusiasts buying in bulk.

Made by FN Herstal, the same company that developed the 5.7x28mm, this 40-grain FMJ ammo offers top-notch reliability. It’s a premium option for those who want to ensure maximum performance during practice, especially for those using FN firearms. These projectiles leave the muzzle at 1,700 FPS. 

Federal 5.7x28mm 40 Grain American Eagle FMJ - 50 Rounds

$36.85

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Federal American Eagle 5.7x28mm 40 Grain FMJ – 500 Rounds

$309.85

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Self/Home Defense Ammo

Hornady Critical Defense 40gr 

It’s the Critical Defense ammo you love, from Hornady, the American-made company you know, and trust. 

Critical Defense ammo from Hornady ammo provides solid penetration and expansion for self-defense. These projectiles boast 1,810FPS of muzzle velocity, making them one of the fastest options on the market. Their clog-resistant bullets are developed to provide the best performance for defensive or personal protection situations.

FNH 5.7x28mm 27 Grain JHP - 50 Rounds

$54.85

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FN Herstal 5.7x28mm 27 Grain Lead Free JHP – 500 Rounds

$514.85

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FN DFNS SS200 JHP 30gr

FN designed DFNS SS200 ammo for defensive situations, equipping it with a 30gr JHP bullet with a copper-tin powdered core.

Created for personal defense, FN DFNS ammo features a unique 30gr JHP bullet with a copper-tin powdered core. It’s designed to expand quickly, while expending energy quickly, and efficiently into targets. This cartridge features a high muzzle velocity of 1,894 FPS, and delivers 239 foot-pounds of energy.

FNH 5.7x28mm 27 Grain JHP - 50 Rounds

$54.85

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FN Herstal 5.7x28mm 27 Grain Lead Free JHP – 500 Rounds

$514.85

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FN SS197SR V-Max 40gr

The legend lives on. With three decades of trusted use, FN V-Max 40gr ammo still gets the job done.

The FN V-Max 40-grain bullet features a polymer tip designed for controlled expansion, making it excellent for self-defense and small-game hunting. This cartridge leaves the muzzle at 1,738 FPS. It offers a balance of accuracy, speed, and terminal performance.

FN Herstal 5.7x28mm 40 Grain V-MAX - 50 Rounds

$36.85

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FN Herstal SS197SR 5.7x28mm 40 Grain V-MAX – 500 Rounds

$339.85

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Speer Gold Dot JHP 40gr

Speer Gold Dot JHP 40gr is regarded by the industry as the pinnacle of 5.7x28mm self-defense ammunition.

Speer’s jacketed hollow point rounds are a trusted name in defensive ammunition. Their 40-grain 5.7x28mm load is designed for rapid expansion and maximum stopping power, making it ideal for protecting homes or loved ones. They leave the muzzle at 1,800 FPS. 

Speer Gold Dot 5.7x28mm 40 Grain JHP – 50 Rounds

$54.85

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Speer Gold Dot 5.7x28mm 40 Grain JHP – 500 Rounds

$459.85

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Cartridge Specs: Best 5.7×28 Ammo

Although its velocities exceed those of the 9mm, 5.7×28 cartridge falls behind in energy and stopping power.

The 5.7x28mm cartridge is a bottlenecked centerfire round, offering several advantages in terms of ballistics and versatility. Here are the key specifications of the 5.7x28mm cartridge:

The 5.7×28’s small size and lightweight design allow it to achieve high velocities. Translating to excellent penetration and a flat trajectory. This makes it a highly efficient cartridge for longer-range shots compared to standard handgun rounds like the 9mm.

Ballistics Overview: Where 5.7x28mm Shines

One of the 5.7x28mm cartridge’s most defining features is its impressive ballistics. Because of its small bullet size and high velocity, the round can achieve armor penetration while maintaining a relatively low level of recoil. This makes it easy to handle, even in rapid-fire situations.

• Velocity: With velocities reaching up to 2,500 feet per second (fps) in longer barrels, the 5.7x28mm far outpaces traditional handgun rounds like the 9mm, which typically max out around 1,200 fps.
• Energy: Despite its small size, the 5.7x28mm bullet’s high velocity gives it sufficient energy for personal defense situations. Depending on the bullet weight and barrel length, it typically produces between 250 and 450 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle.
• Penetration: The 5.7x28mm is designed to penetrate soft body armor, making it a unique option for those needing a cartridge that can pass through tough barriers while still being manageable.

Because the 5.7x28mm is a high-velocity round, it is well-suited for longer barrel firearms like carbines and rifles, though it can also be effective in pistols like the FN Five-seveN. When fired from a pistol, expect slightly reduced muzzle velocity and energy, but the cartridge still maintains its ballistic advantages over many other rounds.

Best Uses: 5.7x28mm Cartridge

From plinking on the range, to self-defense, and hunting, the 5.7x28mm cartridge is highly versatile.

The 5.7x28mm cartridge is highly versatile, making it suitable for a range of applications, including:

• Target Shooting and Plinking: The 5.7×28’s flat trajectory and low recoil make it ideal for range practice and recreational shooting.
• Self-Defense and Home Defense: With its armor-piercing capabilities and high velocity, the 5.7x28mm is a great option for personal protection, especially when barriers or soft armor may be a concern.
• Small Game Hunting: The 5.7×28 mm’s high velocity and accuracy make it a solid choice for hunting small game, particularly with expanding rounds like the FN V-Max.

5.7×28 VS 9mm: A Quick Comparison

The 9mm Parabellum is one of the most popular handgun cartridges in the world, and many potential buyers of the 5.7x28mm wonder how it stacks up against this tried-and-true round. Here are some key differences between the 5.7x28mm and the 9mm:

• Velocity: The 5.7x28mm typically has almost double the velocity of a standard 9mm round, with speeds up to 2,500 fps compared to the 1,200 fps typical of 9mm. This makes the 5.7x28mm more capable of long-range shots and better at penetrating soft armor.
• Recoil: Both rounds are known for their relatively low recoil, but the 5.7x28mm often feels lighter due to its smaller bullet and higher velocity.
• Stopping Power: The 9mm generally has greater stopping power because it fires heavier bullets (115-147 grains), whereas the 5.7x28mm fires lighter bullets (27-40 grains). However, the 5.7x28mm makes up for this with its ability to penetrate soft armor and barriers.
• Capacity: Due to its smaller size, firearms chambered in 5.7x28mm can typically hold more rounds than their 9mm counterparts. For example, the FN Five-seveN holds 20 rounds compared to most 9mm pistols, which hold 15-17 rounds standard.

Both cartridges have their strengths, but the 5.7x28mm offers more versatility in range, penetration, and capacity. In contrast, the 9mm remains the go-to choice for raw stopping power and availability.

A Brief History: 5.7x28mm Cartridge

FN Herstal developed the 5.7x28mm cartridge in response to a NATO request in the late 1980s. At the time, NATO wanted a new PDW cartridge to replace the 9mm Parabellum. The requirement was that it offered superior armor-piercing capability with minimal recoil. The result was the 5.7x28mm, designed to penetrate soft body armor while being lightweight and low-recoil, ideal for close-quarters combat.

The first weapon chambered for the 5.7x28mm was FN’s P90 PDW, which gained popularity in military and law enforcement circles. FN also developed the Five-seveN pistol the P90. Making the 5.7x28mm a versatile cartridge suitable for both rifles and handguns.

Although initially designed for military use, the cartridge has since gained a following among civilians for self-defense, target shooting, and even hunting small game. Its unique combination of high velocity, low recoil, and flat trajectory makes it stand out from other cartridges like the 9mm, especially in niche use cases.

Big Fun: Best 5.7×28 Ammo

If the greatest luxury is being able to live life by your own terms, the 5.7x28mm cartridge is living the high life.

There’s no two ways around it, 5.7×28 is a niche caliber. It didn’t end up replacing the 9mm cartridge but created its own following in the personal defense category. Decades after its introduction, myths and wild speculation about its performance have largely been put to rest. However, it has shown to have serious staying power, even though it comes at a cost for enthusiasts. 

The 5.7×28 ammo cartridge offers a unique combination of high velocity, low recoil, and impressive penetration. It’s a versatile choice for a variety of shooting needs. Whether you’re looking for ammo for plinking, self-defense, or specialized purposes, the 5.7x28mm provides options that many other calibers simply can’t match.

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