FN PS90--whos got one and likes it?

Girodin said:

That is part of why I have not used it. If it is truly getting 1000 FPS more than factory ammo it makes me wonder how good it can be for the gun to shoot it. If I need a 40 grain bullet to get up near 3000 FPS I have rifles in 5.56 or 22-250 if I need even more velocity.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_5.7%C3%9728mm

"According to the official Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives (CIP) guidelines the 5.7×28mm case can handle up to 345 MPa (50,037 psi) piezo pressure.[8] In CIP-regulated countries every rifle cartridge combo has to be proofed at 125% of this maximum CIP pressure to certify for sale to consumers."

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C.I.P = the European version of SAAMI

Note that this is the maximum recommended pressure for the cartridge, it is not what will blow the gun apart. A lot of over-pressure warnings occur to the cartridge notifying a reloader that he/she is pushing things too far loooong before you would ever be in danger of firearm damage or destruction. Experts point to about 80-90,000 psi as the pressure limit on the gun - basically a double-charge.

Jay (owner of Elite Ammunition) posted his pressures on many of the rounds he sells:

S4M 48,500 psi 62F 33%H BAR

Devestator 48,000 psi 70F 42%H

Penetrator 49,000 psi 80F H missing on form

Pro1 49,886 psi 81F 49%H

Pro2 48,378 psi 75F 48%H

Pro3 47,000 psi 70F 47%H

Var1 48,715 psi 70F 48%H This is from our older Barnes load, the newer Berger are just a shade lower since I left the powder charge the same.

Var2 25,000 psi 70F 46%H

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Note that FNH SS197 averages around 38,000 psi and that, along with SS195, would be considered FN's weakest offerings. FNH also makes the military SS190 AP round and the SS198 LEO round which are much hotter.

If you compare the kinetic energy of SS197 to SS190, SS190 has 30% more ft-lbs than SS197. While I'm not sure how that would translate to psi, I am sure that SS190 (& SS198) generate substantially more pressure than SS197.

EA's pressure numbers are roughly 30% greater than SS197's. EA's military and police lines of ammo (SS190/SS198) are surely closer to EA's pressures than SS197's.

EA's ammunition offerings could be compared to +P in other calibers.

Note that this is the maximum recommended pressure for the cartridge, it is not what will blow the gun apart. A lot of over-pressure warnings occur to the cartridge notifying a reloader that he/she is pushing things too far loooong before you would ever be in danger of firearm damage or destruction. Experts point to about 80-90,000 psi as the pressure limit on the gun - basically a double-charge.

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Doesn't cartridge brass fail at ~65k psi? The gun's limits don't mean much if the brass allows gas where it doesn't belong.

BSW

Brass

Doesn't cartridge brass fail at ~65k psi?

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I don't believe so, given that the SAAMI max avg. pressures for some CF cartridges is right at 65K psi. Proof testing would require yet higher pressures.
.300 WBY Mag. 65k psi
.300 Win. Mag. 64K psi.
8mm Rem. Mag. and .416 Rem. Mag. 65K psi.
.308 Win. and .30-06 Springfield, at 62K psi and 60k psi, respectively.
Proof testing requires pressures at least 30% higher than maximum average pressure. Higher than 65k. I believe that the proof cartridges are brass.
Pete

Magazines are very expensive for the PS90, around 60$

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Nonsense, just ordered a pair of FN brand 50 rounders from Midway for $24 each.

I'm not aware of any "well documented stories of people having significant problems with EA ammo". I do know they had a problem employee many years ago who is now long gone. Since that employee was fired, as far as I know, EA's reputation has been sterling. I carry their ammunition with pride and confidence.

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If you haven't had problems.... then good luck to you. You seem to be carrying the banner for EA with that sig line, hopefully they are paying you to push their product.

For those who want hotter ammo there is plenty of SS198 out there.