5.7 x 28mm for small game

S

Silent Titan

New member
So im going to a wedding in nebraska later this summer and have been informed that there will be plenty of time for exploding small game on thier farm. I could take my .308 out with me, but thats kinda overkill and I want to do something a little different. So what do you all think of the 5.7 x 28mm as a varmint round? I know the savage 25 is chambered in it and I could get one for about $400.
 
It's close to the performance of the 22 hornet out of a rifle. Anything that the Hornet can do the 5.7 should be able to do with proper bullet selection.
 
the .22 hornet was my other choice, i havent looked but im almost sure that there is a better bullet selection for the .22 hornet. I dont have my heart set on anything yet, im just looking for options. Im really using it as an excuse to buy another rifle. I want a small center fire round but other than that im open to anything that does minute of small animal out to 200yd
 
I've been eyeballing one of those Savages as well. I'm glad someone has finally released a bolt gun in that caliber. Seems like a pretty good small game/fun plinking round to me. Ammo is at a reasonable cost compared to most centerfire ammo too. I'm definetly intrigued by this option. I don't know much about the 22 hornet and how it compares to the 5.7, but around here 22 hornet ammo isn't all that common in many of the stores.
 
I think the 5.7X28 would be a great mid-range varminting round. While I am glad someone finally got around to making a bolt rifle in 5.7X28mm, I wish it had a bit more eye appeal. I am sure the Model 25 is accurate, but it looks like a toothache feels.
 
LOL!! :D
I completely agree! Probably a good gun, but not a good looking one! That's the only reason I haven't bought one yet. Just waiting to see if anyone else will chamber a bolt gun for it that looks a little better. If not I may try to pick one up anyway.
 
A .22 magnum will definitely handle your needs and you will be real happy with that choice. Ammo is cheap and you get more bang for your buck than using a .22 lr. I love the .22 magnum also because its louder. I own several Marlin .22 mags :)
 
Does the model 25 have the floating bolt head or the barrel nuts like the other savage rifles?

In other words, what does it share with other savages that would likely make them just as accurate (besides the accu-trigger)
 
Does the model 25 have the floating bolt head or the barrel nuts like the other savage rifles?
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The M25 looks like a beefed up version of their rimfire rifles. I've never held one to tell you if it has a floating bolt head, but there is no barrel nut. I agree with Scorch's opinion of the rifle, it is ugly but it probably shoots well enough.
 
WHAT!!! ... A bolt action 5.7 ???

COOL:cool:

to the OP... either the Hornet or the 5.7 would make great small game plinkers...

I've got 5-6 Hornets in different configurations... my lastest expiriements have been Hornets with fast twist barrels & heavy bullets ( I have a Taurus "Raging" revolver converted to Dan Wesson style switch barrel configuration with a 6" 1 in 9 twist barrel & a Ruger 77-22 with a heavy 1 in 9 twist barrel on it, as well as 4 or so other "regular 22 Hornets" either way a very fun & capable cartridge...

butt... I've also been playing with the 5.7 & have an FN pistol, as well as a custom Contender barrel... I've been wanting a bolt action in that caliber for a while... I didn't know Savage was doing it... it's now at the top of my too buy list...

either would be fun... of course so would a 22 Mag, or one of the 17's either Mach 2 or HMR... BTW... also have a 17 K Hornet Contender, & while that's also a fun cartridge, if I didn't already have the barrel as part of my Contender barrel collection, I'd be shooting the 17 Fireball, which would also make an awesome choice
 
At this point I think I will shuffle a 5.7 savage into the short list of things to buy this year. I figure i'll throw some vortex glass on it, get a few cases of ammo and it will be to go. It will be another month or two befor i get to it, but i'll post pictures once its set up.
 
And possibly the first practical use of the round...
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In a bolt action you won't have to put up with the short case life caused by blow-back guns. I hear that people can only get 2-3 loadings per case before it stretches too much. The improved case live in a bolt gun will certainly give it an advantage over the Hornet.
 
I thought the main reason the 5.7 is impractical to reload is the coating on the brass. The coating gives it just the right "slip" to function in the 90 degree turn magazine. Once you lose the coating your ammo won't work in the PS90.
 
in my 5-seven pistol, the shoulder moves forward almost 1/8" coupled with the laquer coating makes reloading a challenge... reloading the cartridges I've shot in the Contender are a piece of cake without having to bump the shoulder back... I have some cases I've loaded 6-7 times ( that have been used in the Contender ) if I were able to buy new brass & not have to bump that shoulder the 1st time ( I bought 1000 once fired cases... & haven't tested new factory ammo only in the Contender... yet ) I'd suspect case life would definately outlast Hornet case life...

plus with the already fast twist barrel, reloading heavy bullets ends upn about the same as my fast twist Hornet
 
I thought the main reason the 5.7 is impractical to reload is the coating on the brass. The coating gives it just the right "slip" to function in the 90 degree turn magazine. Once you lose the coating your ammo won't work in the PS90.
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Yup, that is how I understand it and you will even have problems in the 5.7 pistol without the coating. Militaries rightfully frowned on weapons that required lubricated ammunition in the past because they all tended to attract dirt, grit, and clog up weapons. Newer technology gave the necessary lubrication without the dirt attracting properties. That works great if you only shoot the ammo once, but a serious problem for reloaders.

I have some cases I've loaded 6-7 times ( that have been used in the Contender ) if I were able to buy new brass & not have to bump that shoulder the 1st time ( I bought 1000 once fired cases... & haven't tested new factory ammo only in the Contender... yet ) I'd suspect case life would definately outlast Hornet case life...
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I don't see how it wouldn't outlast Hornet case life, especially with only neck sizing.
 
The long tapered thin walled Hornet case would not last as long a modern 5.7 case. I have a 22 Hornet but since getting a 221 Fireball which is eazy to reload the Hornet set in the cabnit. If CZ would come out with a 5.7 rifle with 1-14 rifleing I would give it a try.
 
I've got a 221 Fireball Contender barrel, but have never loaded for that one yet... I wish my 17 K Hornet barrel was actually a 17 Fireball barrel... I think that cartridge having found a short factory chambering life is alot easy to reload than the K Hornet, & much more practical...
 
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