The 5.6×39mm, also known in the U.S. as .220 Russian, is a cartridge developed in 1961 for deer hunting in the USSR.^[3] It fires a 5.6mm projectile from necked down 7.62×39mm brass. While it originally re-used 7.62x39 cases, once it became popular enough commercial ammunition started being manufactured, both in the USSR and in Finland.^[4][5] When it was introduced to the United States by SAKO it was stamped .220 Russian. Lapua later changed the designation to .220 Russian for the American market as well.^[6][5]

Soviet 5.6×39mm cartridges were loaded with smokeless powder VT (винтовочный пироксилиновый порох ВТ), as well as Soviet 7.62×54mmR and 9×53mmR hunting cartridges.^[7] It is the parent case for the .22 PPC, 6mm PPC, and the 6.5mm Grendel cartridges.^[6]

From Wolf.^[8]

In the Soviet Union, several hunting rifles were designed for this cartridge; MBO-1 target rifle, bolt-action carbine Bars, self-loading carbines MTs-127 (МЦ-127) and MTs-128 (МЦ-128), combination guns IZh-15,^[9] MTs-5-35^[10] and MTs-105-01 (МЦ-105-01).^[11]

The TKB-022PM5 bullpup assault rifle, the IZh-94 "Sever", "Saiga-5.6" ("Сайга-5.6"), and "Saiga-5.6S" ("Сайга-5.6С") have been chambered in 5.6x39mm.^[6]

• List of rifle cartridges
• 5 mm caliber