Handloading SS109s into a .22 TCM or 5.7x28

[Unlicensed Dremel]

Anyone try this? That's a big 62 grainer so you wouldn't have much powder capacity, but it'd be interesting.

Probably have to be really careful not to spike pressures.... maybe as a subsonic?

 

[Kp321]

The SS109 bullet, having a steel core, is longer than a lead core 62 grain bullet. This bullet is the reason the Army had to go to a 1-7 or 1-8 twist rate. Unless your TCM or 5.7 has a similar twist you won't be able to stabilize the bullets.

 

[Unlicensed Dremel]

Oh yeah; didn't think that one through. Thanks. Although 1 in 9 is fine for SS109. (no rhyme intended)

However, question: Is this even *legal*? Or would it run afoul of the "armor piercing" BS federal law? Don't want to do anything illegal.

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't know for sure, but am leery.
The steel penetrator makes it an armor piercing handgun bullet defined by material of construction, not performance.
The law can be parsed as to just what is not legal.
According to some of the U of Internet lawyers, while making, importing, and dealing in pistol AP are illegal, simple possession is not. But if you came to official notice, you might get to pay a real attorney to explain how you came by your arsenal of cop killer bullets.

 

[dogmush]

I'm not a lawyer, but if SS109 isn't illegal to own in 5.56, why would it be in 5.7X28? There's a ton of pistols out there chambered in 5.56.

 

[rcmodel]

5.56 SS109 and M855 NATO rounds, with steel penetrator tip is not 'armor piercing' under the ATF interpretation of the law.

rc

 

[dogmush]

Right, I'm tracking on that. Why then the fear that that projectile becomes AP in 5.7? The law is based on construction of the projectile, not the case is loaded in.

 

[barnbwt]

"5.56 SS109 and M855 NATO rounds, with steel penetrator tip is not 'armor piercing' under the ATF interpretation of the law."
And let's all think about the logic underpinning that statement of fact. A "penetrator" is not legally "armor piercing" --it really isn't!

"Why then the fear that that projectile becomes AP in 5.7? The law is based on construction of the projectile, not the case is loaded in."
Because our leaders are idiots and enact legislation on subjects they don't understand. Practically any projectile from a 223 is more penetrative than any 5.7 could ever hope to be, yet for some reason the press keyed in on FNH's aluminum penetrator, while ignoring the 5.56's steel core (and far, far, far greater ballistic power). Both are 22 caliber, so I believe both are therefore exempt from at least some of the rules regarding jacket construction. Technically Rusky 7N6 is supposedly exempt, too, but was banned from import for the children, regardless

In any case, 5.7 is not illegal in its armor penetrating incarnation; FNH merely chooses to limit sales to LEO/MIL customers only. For the children (and their bottom line). An aluminum core is not considered armor piercing, even if its booking it fast enough to punch right through Kevlar :banghead:

TCB