5.6 x 50 R Mag. Load Data

The 5.6 x 50 R Mag (often written 5.6x50R Magnum) is a rimmed, bottleneck centerfire cartridge developed in Europe in the latter half of the 20th century to fill a niche between small-bore rimfires and larger centerfire game cartridges. It was introduced as a magnum-class .22-caliber option for break-action and combination firearms popular with European hunters, and manufacturers targeted it toward shooters who wanted flatter trajectories and more terminal energy than typical .22 centerfires without stepping up to much larger calibers. For ammunition reloaders this cartridge represents a somewhat specialized but attractive platform—brass is available from a handful of European makers and handloaders prize its clean-burning, efficient case capacity and rimmed design, which suits single-shot rifles and double rifles.

In practical application the 5.6 x 50 R Mag shines in short to medium-range hunting and varmint work where quick follow-up and reliable extraction are necessary. Its rimmed case is ideal for break-open actions, combination guns, and single-shot rifles that are common across Europe and among specialty hunters and collectors. For reloaders, the cartridge is forgiving with a variety of bullet profiles—spitzer, soft-point, and bonded projectiles all work well—while its moderate recoil makes it suitable for extended shooting sessions and precise development of handloads. Availability of components can be more limited than mainstream calibers, so reloaders often plan batch loading and brass maintenance carefully.

Target species for the 5.6 x 50 R Mag tend to be small deer, chamois, roe deer, and medium-sized predators and varmint. It is commonly used on European game where ethical kills at typical engagement distances are expected; it delivers enough energy and terminal performance for clean takes on animals in that weight class when properly placed. Hunters who reload appreciate the cartridge for its combination of flat trajectory and manageable recoil, which allows for accurate shot placement on skittish game and for dialing in bullet selection to match specific regional quarry and hunting regulations.

Typical bullet weights for the 5.6 x 50 R Mag generally occupy the .22-caliber centerfire spectrum—commonly in the roughly 50–70 grain range—allowing reloaders to choose lighter, fast-flattening bullets or heavier, higher-section-density bullets for deeper penetration. Key caliber characteristics include a rimmed, bottleneck case designed for reliable extraction in break-actions, a .224-inch (5.6 mm) bore diameter, and a case capacity that lends itself to efficient powder use and a balance of velocity and pressure. For reloaders, attention to brass conditioning, consistent primer seating (small rifle primers are typical), bullet seating depth, and careful chronographing will yield repeatable accuracy; always consult manufacturer data and recognized load manuals rather than improvising recipes.