Hi all,

I am looking for some loads for the 5.6x57 using the RWS74gr cone head bullet.
Has anyone got any information on this one?

Sika

I once had a project rifle that was a 224x8mm Mauser. It was an 8x57 case necked down to 22 cal. and the case walls straightened and a 40° shoulder.

Bt the time I had 200 fireformed cases the barrel throat looked like an alligator had taken up residence in there. I was never satisfied with it and re-converted to 22-250 AI.

I used a 1 in 8 twist barrel. My best loads came between 54 to 59 Grains of RL-15 Powder and 80 Grain Sierra Match King Bullets. The 22-250 was much more barrel friendly and I only lost about 400fps velocity and used about 20 grains of powder less.

Best wishes, Bill

If you tell me which powders you have, I can check with Quickload 3.3

SIKA98k

I had used the 5,6 x 57 for years , using RWS 74 gs KS bullets .
It work exceptionaly well in medium size game as deer.
I had used Rottweil 905 powder for it with 43 gs that is the maximun RWS loading book say

Factory RWS ctgs with that bullet have 3350 fps in my 24 " Lothar Walter custom rifle. My reload reach the same vel.

Accuracy with KS bullets is in the order of 1 inch at 100 Mts.
Pressure + - 52.000 cup.

Good luck you will have a GREAT CALIBER

raul

quote:

Originally posted by wildboar:
If you tell me which powders you have, I can check with Quickload 3.3

N150,160,165. H414,H380,VARGET,R19,NORMA 204.
Thanks for the help.

Thanks RAUL, unfortunately no access to RWS powder.I dont think it is imported by anyone.

The old Vihtavuhori manuals contain data on the 5,6x57 (R) and are available on the web, no longer from Vihta but from other sites; just use Google.

Howdy,
I've had success with the RWS 74 grain KS using 41 grains of N160. Shoots into an inch at 100 yards from a Mannlicher M-72 carbine. My best bullet performance comes from the 70 grain Speer. The 5.6x57mm is a fun cartridge, once you have the correct brass and dies.
LLS

Sika, below are some ESTIMATIONS I've got using Quickload 3.3, for the RWS 74 gr. KS bullet:

VV N150, starting 33.5 gr - max 36.5

VV N160, starting 38.5 gr - max 41.5 compressed

VV N165, starting 40.5 gr - max 43 compressed

R 19, starting 38 gr - max 41

N 204, starting 37.5 gr - max 40.5

IMO, the best powders could be the R19 and N204; the N160 and N165 seem to be a little slow, while the N150 seems to be a little fast. The H380, H414 and Varget seem to be too fast, so I skipped them. I've found an old VV reloading chart that roughly confirms the N160 estimation. These are only guesses of course! Hope it helps.

wild boar,

Thanks for these suggestions.It is something to start working on.I will work up a few over the next while and see how they shoot.
Again thanks for your effort,Sika

quote:

Originally posted by sierra2:
Howdy,
I've had success with the RWS 74 grain KS using 41 grains of N160. Shoots into an inch at 100 yards from a Mannlicher M-72 carbine. My best bullet performance comes from the 70 grain Speer. The 5.6x57mm is a fun cartridge, once you have the correct brass and dies.
LLS

Sierra2,
Thanks for that bit of advice.I will give it a try.
Presumably you didnt shoot that kudu with your 5.6x57 ?

It's a pleasure Sika, please let me know the results of your tests .

Howdy SIKA98K,
Nope the Kudu was taken by a .30-06 Mannlicher-Schoenauer MCA rifle with one 220 grain Nosler Partition, 125 yards, off hand. Think a Kudu would be a little much for the 5.6x57mm, unless you did a perfect head shot from say 50-75 yards. I wouldn't risk it, not when a serious trophy is involved. On the other hand, I intend to shoot Texas Whitetails with my 5.6, eventually, and they will be head shots.

I don't think any one will argue that my N160 loads are too hot, but they are pushing the envelope.

LLS

The 2002 Viht relaoding guide gives a maximum load of 40.7 grains of N160 with the RWS 74 grains FMJ bullet for a velocity of 995 m/s.
The RWS manual lists exactly the same data for their cone point bullet and the FMJ.
The only exception is the length of the cartridge; cone point 69.0 mm and FMJ 67.7 mm