The 5.6×57mm cartridge is a rifle round developed primarily for hunting and target shooting. Originating in Germany, it was introduced by Rheinisch-Westfälische Sprengstoff-Fabriken (RWS) in 1964. The cartridge features a bottleneck case design that allows it to achieve high velocities, making it suitable for long-range shooting.
Commonly used in Europe, especially for hunting small to medium-sized game such as roe deer and foxes, the 5.6×57mm is known for its flat trajectory and precise accuracy. Typically, it is loaded with bullets weighing around 3 to 4 grams (approximately 45 to 60 grains), and velocity can reach up to 1,100 meters per second (3,600 feet per second).
Its performance is often compared to the .220 Swift and .22-250 Remington, offering similar advantages in terms of speed and downrange accuracy, but with slightly different ballistic characteristics.
However, it is not as commonly found in North America and might be considered a specialty cartridge outside of its primary regions of use. The 5.6×57mm R variant is also available, which features a rimmed case for use in break-open rifles and combination guns.