FN Herstal 5.7x28mm 40-grain Hornady V-MAX Sporting Round (Product Code: SS197SR)

If you are looking for the absolute gold standard in 5.7x28mm performance, the iconic FN Herstal "Blue Tip" SS197SR (SKU: 10700017) is the cartridge that defined the platform. Officially manufactured to strict international defense specifications and distributed by Federal Premium, this is the definitive, high-velocity sporting and defensive load for the 5.7 ecosystem.

Whether you are running a classic FN Five-seveN or PS90, or modern platforms like the Ruger 57, Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7, PSA Rock, or Kel-Tec CMR30, this premium round unleashes the true high-capacity, flat-shooting potential of your firearm.

The "Blue Tip" V-MAX Mechanical Hybrid

While cheap, budget-tier 5.7 target ammunition relies on standard full metal jacket (FMJ) bullets that punch clean, pin-sized holes straight through a target, the SS197SR utilizes premium, explosive material science.

Topped with a genuine Hornady V-MAX projectile, this cartridge features a hyper-concentric copper jacket wrapped around a solid lead core, capped with a distinctive blue polymer ballistic tip. Upon impact, this polymer tip acts as a physical wedge, being driven violently backward into the lead core. This triggers immediate, devastating fragmentation and rapid expansion—maximizing energy dump into the target while completely mitigating the dangerous risk of over-penetration through interior walls.

• Caliber: 5.7x28mm (NATO Standardized)

• Bullet Weight: 40 Grain (The heavy-for-caliber ballistic sweet spot)

• Bullet Type: Genuine Hornady V-MAX (Polymer-Tipped Exploding Core)

• Casing: First-run, premium lacquer-coated brass

• Muzzle Velocity (Pistol): ~1,738 ft/s (Soft-recoiling, high-speed delivery)

• Muzzle Velocity (Carbine): ~2,034 ft/s (Screaming, flat-shooting supersonic velocity)

• Muzzle Energy: ~256 to 340 ft-lbs (Depending on barrel length)

• Packaging: 50 rounds per premium box / 500 rounds per master case

Key Performance Features

1. Dual-Purpose Pistol & Carbine Optimization

The engineering beauty of the 40-grain weight profile is how flawlessly it bridges the gap between handguns and long guns. Fired from a standard carry pistol, it clocks in at a blistering 1,738 ft/s with virtually non-existent muzzle flip. Drop that exact same round into a 16-inch carbine or a Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC), and the longer barrel milks the powder charge for every ounce of energy, screaming downrange at 2,034 ft/s. It allows you to standardize your entire tactical and survival ecosystem around a single box of ammunition.

2. Laser-Flat Trajectory Out to 150 Yards

Because the 5.7x28mm cartridge functions like a miniature centerfire rifle round rather than a traditional fat, slow pistol cartridge, it defies the laws of traditional handgun ballistics. The aerodynamic polymer tip of the V-MAX bullet slices through heavy crosswinds and eliminates base drag. Out to 100 and 150 yards, there is virtually zero noticeable bullet drop, making it the premier choice for long-range target competition, small-game hunting, and varmint eradication.

3. Advanced Low-Friction Case Treatment

Look closely at factory-fresh SS197SR brass, and you will notice a distinct, slightly matte appearance. FN treats these casings with a specialized, proprietary low-friction dry lubricant coating. Because the 5.7x28mm operates at high centerfire rifle pressures inside a blowback mechanism, this advanced coating ensures that the casing releases perfectly from the chamber walls under extreme heat, guaranteeing flawless extraction and zero stovepipe jams under rapid fire.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Premium Hornady V-MAX Projectile: Delivers dramatic fragmentation and immediate expansion, offering elite terminal performance while safeguarding against over-penetration.

• Zero Muzzle Flip: The ultra-lightweight recoil signature keeps your front sight or red-dot reticle locked on target for high-speed, laser-accurate follow-up strings.

• Official FN/Federal Quality Control: Manufactured to rigorous military defense contractor specifications, ensuring absolute priming sensitivity and match-grade powder consistency.

Cons

• Boutique Reloading Profile: Due to the high-pressure bottleneck design and the factory-applied dry case lubricant coating, handloading 5.7x28mm brass requires specialized dies and meticulous component preparation.

The Verdict

The FN Herstal SS197SR 5.7x28mm 40gr Blue Tip strips away the compromises of generic target loads. By marrying a screaming centerfire case with Hornady's unmatched V-MAX bullet architecture, FN created a flat-shooting, high-capacity round that functions flawlessly as a training tool, a small-game varmint drop-down, or a premium personal-defense asset. Fill your magazines with the best.

• The Takeaway: AI can sometimes make mistakes, but it's never a mistake to lock the legendary Blue Tip FN SS197SR into your high-capacity magazines from Eagle Eye Guns.