Interferometric data were obtained in the 10 cm × 18 cm hypervelocity shock tube of oblique shock-wave reflexions in argon at initial temperatures and pressures of nearly 300 °K and 15 Torr. The shock Mach-number range covered was 2 [les ] Ms [les ] 8 over a series of wedge angles 2° [les ] θw [les ] 60°. Dual-wavelength laser interferograms were obtained by using a 23 cm diameter field of view Mach-Zehnder interferometer. In addition to our numerous results, the available data for argon and helium obtained over the last two decades were also utilized. It is shown analytically and experimentally that in non-stationary flows six domains exist in the (Ms, θw) plane where regular reflexion (RR), single-Mach reflexion (SMR), complex-Mach reflexion (CMR) and double-Mach reflexion (DMR) can occur. The transition boundaries between these regions were all established analytically. The experimental results from different sources substantiate the present analysis, and areas of disagreement which existed in the literature are now clarified and resolved. It is shown that real-gas effects have a significant influence on the size of the regions and their boundaries. In addition, isopycnics (constant density lines) are given for the four types of reflexion, as well as the density distribution along the wedge surface. This data should provide a solid base for computational fluid dynamicists in comparing numerical techniques with actual experimental results.