Rifle · CIP
5.6x50mm Magnum
The 5.6x50mm Magnum is a German rimless bottleneck varmint and small-game cartridge introduced around 1970 as the rimless counterpart of the 5.6x50mmR.
- Caliber
- 0.2244″ · 5.7 mm
- Introduced
- 1970
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- 5.6x50mmR
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1970
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Germany
- Inventor
- Günter Frères (approx; per Wikipedia)
- Manufacturer
- Günter Frères (approx; per Wikipedia)
- Standard
- CIP
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Limited
- Case capacity
- 34.6 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:14
- Primer
- Small Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 55,114 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Max range
- 3500 yd
- Recoil
- 3.9–4.3 ft·lb
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for 5.6x50mm Magnum, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- 5.6x50mmR
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Wikipedia · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 5.70 | 0.224 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 6.48 | 0.255 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 9.00 | 0.354 | · |
| Shoulder angle | 23° | — | |
| Base ⌀ | 9.56 | 0.376 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 9.60 | 0.378 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.14 | 0.045 | · |
| Neck length | 6.77 | 0.267 | |
| Case length | 50.00 | 1.969 | · |
| Overall length | 61.30 | 2.413 | · |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 5.6x50mm Magnum is highlighted below.
Missing a dimension for 5.6x50mm Magnum? Some case measurements aren't in a published SAAMI/CIP drawing yet. Have a factory or reamer print? Send it → — verified hard-to-find data earns a free Lindcott sticker.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Rimless version of the 1968 5.6x50mmR for bolt-action rifles.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 5.6x50mm Magnum use?
- 5.6x50mm Magnum typically uses a 1:14 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 5.6x50mm Magnum?
- 5.6x50mm Magnum uses a 0.2244″ (5.7 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 5.6x50mm Magnum still in production?
- 5.6x50mm Magnum is active; typical availability is limited.
- What is 5.6x50mm Magnum used for?
- 5.6x50mm Magnum is primarily used for hunting.
- What is 5.6x50mm Magnum based on?
- 5.6x50mm Magnum is derived from the 5.6x50mmR case.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
