Whistling through Injun country...

I got interested in .22’s carry guns lately. Today there are several levels to consider, some even seriously touted for self-defense. It’s sure better than a stick, that is for sure. I have a selection and have been considering their power levels. Beginning small the tiny Beretta is hampered more by the user’s ability to manage its small size and overcome any inherit reliability issues. I finally found some fodder (CCI Mini-Mags) that it likes. The 40 gr. bullets from the LR ammo clock around 900 fps. About the same as a bullet fired from a .22-250 rifle some 800 yds distant! Not insignificant, a good benchmark for reference. Moving up the delightful 8-shot SP101 Ruger that has sights I can actually see, and it is quite easy to hit accurately. The same ammo runs just under 1100 fps. Easily the heaviest gun here unloaded. I bought a Kel-tec PMR30 after wanting one for years. It’s been very reliable with 40 gr. And 45 gr. ammo showing velocities right at 1300 fps. That happens to be basically what a .22-250 rifle manages at a range of 450-500 yds. I’d happily shoot at varmints with one at that distance. That leaves the FN57. It also shoots a 40 gr. bullet that looks all racy, nominally about 1600-1700 fps. It’s much like a .22-250 moved up to some 350-400 yds., literally the same projectile too. With my experience that is about what a .224 K-chuck will manage in a 6” revolver while Bob Baker’s FA .224-32 will do some 2150 fps. I happened to shoot a Muntjack with a 40 Nosler at 2150 fps. The Hornady 40 gr. or like Nosler BT does not open much at that level. It is no longer “explosive” and does expand a little, depending on what it hits. It penetrated like the devil, sailing on right through. I think the FN57 has that in mind too. It literally is a military and service handgun/cartridge. If so, it performs as planned. The 30 gr. bullets would no doubt go faster and may have the expansion, yet at the expense of penetration.

While I enjoy shooting the non-reload .22 WMR, I piss and moan at the price. Being an old sod I remember when a box of .357 JHP was about the same cost. Such that it is. The 5.7x28 is expensive and nominally $1 per shot at best with factory ammo. Not many reload for it and brass is relatively cheap. I think my loading cost is around $0.35 each. The gun is a “retarded-blowback” action meaning it’s not “locked” breach, and if you goof around with loads too much, you can have an unpleasant surprise. A blown case! Within a relatively narrow margin you can adapt some loading finesse. I did not initially have any powders that were suitable for my first efforts. I found some AA#7 and reference to some use with Unique and Lilgun. THAT interests me. However, I’m once bitten twice shy with blow back actions. I do have some tinkering to try and report. The high PSI (50,000) is way beyond what most cast bullets can withstand but I still have hope for slower and possibly heavier, less pressure, loads that can still cycle the action and not lead the bore. This is Indian territory right here.

I wonder to myself if the excellent Kel-tec 30-shot (!) .22 WMR eclipses the need or use for the FN57? I’ve shot both and actually bought the PMR30. In truth, the FN belongs to Roman, so I play for free. I want to see if reloading the 5.7 is of value for the effort. The Kel-tec has such value for what it is. So light, great sights, accurate, reliable, 30-shots (!) and just belly up to the counter and drop a green and black picture of Ulysses S. Grant for a couple boxes of it’s favored fodder. We are fortunate to have both! Ill keep you posted.