5.6 x 61 VHSE
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The 5.6 x 61mm SE, an abbreviated form of its full designation, the 5.6 x 61mm [Vom Hofe] Super Express, is the most powerful .22 centrefire rifle cartridge ever to have been made available commercially.
The 5.6x61 VHSE cartridge case is in many respects dimensionally identical to a .30-'06 case necked down to accept a 5.6mm/.228in diameter bullet, although the long case neck area is distinctively contoured thanks to its venturified profile. It should be noted that the 5.6 x61mm SE uses a .228in diameter bullet (as also does the .22 Savage Hi-Power, unlike the more common .224in bullets used for most .22 centrefire cartridges.
5.6x61 VHSE ammunition is still available (2007) from Walter Gehmann, Karlsruhe, Germany. No mass-produced rifles are currently offered in this chambering, but custom riflemakers will chamber for it; and the calibre has a loyal if specialised following, especially among handloading long-range hunters of roe deer and chamois, although the cartridge has accounted for very much larger deer and antelope.
