Russian 220 what exactly is it?

[Grimstod]

The title probably says it all. I never have heard of this round till I came here and even after reading about it here http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/competition-cartridges/ I am still a little confused.
Is this the same things as 5.45x39? 545 is suppose to be a 7..62x39 necked down to 545 and isn't this also what 220 Russian is? Is 220 a spin of of 545? I am confused. :-\

 

[DOGCAPPER]

The 7.62 has large rifle primer, the 220 has small rifle primer and smaller flash hole.

 

[ReedG]

Grim, the .220 Russian is the civilian version of the 5.6x39mm, much the same as the American .223 Remington and 5.56x45 military version. The Russian case is used as the basis for the .22 PPC, 6 PPC, etc. As far as I know, all the brass uses the small rifle primer but I have never used any of the European brands other than Lapua.

 

[Grimstod]

Cool thanks for the info. Always wondered why i could never find load info for the 5.6x39 guess it was staring me in the face but with a different name. Was just reading up on the 545x39s ballistics and terminal kill capabilities. Its pretty beastly to say the least.

 

[ReedG]

The .220 Russian is a very capable cartridge and gives up very little to the .223 Remington. For handloaders, the taper of the case is a problem because it allows the cases to stretch on every firing. It is most popular in the U.S. to blow it out to .22 PPC and then it really sings.

 

[Grimstod]

Reed your talking about the slight taper of the case that gives them that banana shape when stacked right?

 

[stool]

220 russian is a commercial variation of the original 7.62x39....in the 50's..in russia, then commercial by lapua and finnland....both long before the ak74 round......5,45x39....