RWS 5.45x39 Hollow Point, Dynamit Nobel-East German (x50)

RWS .215 / 5.45×39mm Vintage Ammunition

RWS .215 is an uncommon commercial variant of the 5.45×39mm cartridge, produced by RWS in Germany during the early 1990s. Its development was associated with the emergence of commercially available former East German 5.45×39mm firearms following German reunification, including the SSG 82.

The cartridge is of particular interest to most collectors or shooters because of its relatively short production history and the scarcity on the public market. RWS examples are typically found with lacquered steel cases and a lead-core projectile, and original factory packaging adds considerably to their historical and collector appeal.

From a ballistic perspective, the .215 is closely related to the Soviet 5.45×39mm cartridge but was produced as a civilian commercial loading to the applicable German/CIP specifications of the period. It represents an interesting example of how the military 5.45×39mm cartridge was adapted for the European commercial market after the Cold War.

original RWS examples are relatively difficult to find, particularly in complete factory boxes.