HK 4.6×30mm

The 4.6×30mm (designated as the 4,6 × 30 by the C.I.P.[6]) cartridge is a small-caliber, high-velocity, smokeless powder, rebated, bottleneck, centerfire cartridge designed for personal defense weapons (PDW) developed by German armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch (HK) in 1999. It was designed primarily for the MP7 PDW to minimize weight and recoil, while increasing penetration of body armor. It features a pointed, steel-core, brass-jacketed bullet.

4.6×30mm
From left to right: 4.6×30mm (hollow point), 5.7×28mm, .30 Carbine.
TypePersonal defense weapon
Place of originGermany
Service history
In service2001–present
Used bySee Heckler & Koch MP7 Users
WarsAfghanistan War[1]
Production history
ManufacturerHeckler & Koch
VariantsSee Variations
Specifications
Case typeRebated, bottleneck
Bullet diameter4.65 mm (0.183 in)
Land diameter4.52 mm (0.178 in)
Neck diameter5.31 mm (0.209 in)
Shoulder diameter7.75 mm (0.305 in)
Base diameter8.02 mm (0.316 in)
Rim diameter8.00 mm (0.315 in)
Rim thickness1.10 mm (0.043 in)
Case length30.50 mm (1.201 in)
Overall length38.50 mm (1.516 in)
Rifling twist160 mm (1 in 6.3 in)
Primer typeBoxer small rifle[2]
Maximum pressure400.00 MPa (58,015 psi)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
1.7 g (26 gr) Copper-plated steel bullet AP ("combat steel") 725 m/s (2,380 ft/s) 447 J (330 ft⋅lbf)
2.0 g (31 gr) Copper-plated steel bullet AP (DM11, "ultimate combat") 720.0 m/s (2,362 ft/s) 518 J (382 ft⋅lbf)
2.0 g (31 gr) Copper-plated steel bullet AP (DM31) 680 m/s (2,200 ft/s) 462 J (341 ft⋅lbf)
2.7 g (42 gr) FMJ 600 m/s (2,000 ft/s) 486 J (358 ft⋅lbf)
2.0 g (31 gr) Copper-plated steel bullet AP (CPS Black Tip") 735 m/s (2,410 ft/s) 540 J (400 ft⋅lbf)
Test barrel length: 180 mm
Source(s): HK USA[3] HK USA[4] Modern Firearms, Pistol / SMG ammunition Heckler & Koch Products[5]

Development

The 4.6×30mm cartridge was introduced in 1999 as a competitor to FN Herstal's 5.7×28mm cartridge.[7] Heckler & Koch started the development of a semi-automatic handgun for their 4.6×30mm PDW cartridge, but Heckler & Koch cancelled the Ultimate Combat Pistol (UCP) at the prototype stage.

Overview
HK 4.6×30mm

Compared to standard intermediate cartridges one can carry more 4.6×30mm ammunition due to the lower weight and relatively small dimensions of the cartridge. Also, due to the lower weight of the bullet, aiming in rapid fire is much easier as recoil depends much on the weight of the bullet. CRISAT testing shows that because of the smaller diameter and high projectile velocity of the round, body armor penetration is higher than that of traditional handgun projectiles.

A series of tests performed by NATO in the United Kingdom and France indicated that 5.7×28mm was a superior cartridge.[7] The results of the NATO tests were analyzed by a group of experts from France, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom and the group's conclusion was that the 5.7×28mm was "undoubtedly" the more efficient cartridge.[7]

Among other points, the NATO group cited superior effectiveness (27% greater) for the 5.7×28mm against unprotected targets and equal effectiveness against protected targets.[7] It also cited less sensitivity to extreme temperatures for the 5.7×28mm and cited a greater potential risk of barrel erosion with the 4.6×30mm.[7] In addition, the group pointed out that 5.7×28mm is close to the 5.56×45mm NATO by its design and manufacture process, allowing it to be manufactured on existing production lines.[7] The group also pointed out that 5.7×28mm weapons are more mature than 4.6×30mm weapons, and the 5.7×28mm FN Five-seveN pistol was already in production at that time, while the 4.6×30mm Heckler & Koch UCP pistol was still only an early concept.[7] However, the German delegation and others rejected the NATO recommendation that 5.7×28mm be standardized, and as a result, the standardization process was indefinitely halted,[1][7] though both cartridges would ultimately be standardized by NATO with STANAG 4509 for 5.7×28mm and STANAG 4820 for 4.6×30mm respectively.

Cartridge dimensions

The 4.6×30mm has 0.87 mL (13.4 grains) H2O cartridge case capacity.

4.6×30mm maximum C.I.P. cartridge dimensions; all sizes in millimeters (mm).[6]

Americans define the shoulder angle at alpha/2 ≈ 22 degrees. The common rifling twist rate for this cartridge is 160 mm (1 in 6.3 in), 6 grooves, Ø lands = 4.52 mm, Ø grooves = 4.65 mm, land width = 1.21 mm and the primer type is small rifle.[2]

According to the official C.I.P. (Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives) rulings, the 4.6×30mm can handle up to 4,000 bar (400 MPa; 58,015 psi) Pmax (the nominal maximum) piezo pressure. In C.I.P. regulated countries, every rifle cartridge combination has to be proofed at 125% of this maximum C.I.P. pressure to be certified for sale to consumers, referred to as "PE". This means that 4.6×30mm chambered arms in C.I.P. regulated countries are currently (2018) proof tested at 5,000 bar (500 MPa; 72,519 psi) PE piezo pressure.[6] Despite the relatively high Pmax the bolt thrust of the 4.6×30mm is on a similar level when compared with traditional service sidearm cartridges.

The Belgian 5.7×28mm cartridge introduced in 1993 is probably the closest currently available ballistic twin of the 4.6×30mm.

The 4.6×30mm ammunition is produced by RUAG Ammotec, Fiocchi and BAE Systems.

Variations

2 g DM11 Penetrator Ultimate Combat

The German Army version of the 4.6×30mm cartridge (DM11 Penetrator)[8] weighs 6.5 g and uses a 2-g copper-plated steel bullet projectile at 720 m/s (2,362 ft/s) muzzle velocity. The DM11 Penetrator cartridge is designed for the MP7. The Ultimate Combat can penetrate the NATO CRISAT target at more than 200 meters. This ammunition combines energy transfer in soft targets and very good penetration.[9] The muzzle velocity V0 and V100 indicate a G1 ballistic coefficient of approximately 0.141 to 0.150 (BCs are somewhat debatable) making the DM11 projectile aerodynamically more efficient compared to typical service handgun projectiles, but less efficient compared to typical assault rifle projectiles. At the stated effective range of 200 m, the DM11 projectile will be traveling at approximately Mach 1.25 (425 m/s) under International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) conditions at sea level (air density ρ = 1.225 kg/m3).

2 g Action Law Enforcement hollow point

The Action 4.6×30mm Law Enforcement cartridge weighs 6.5 g and is loaded with a 2 g CuZn-alloy (brass) solid hollow point projectile that achieves 700 m/s (2,300 ft/s) muzzle velocity. The cartridge is designed for the MP7. This ammunition is optimized for energy transfer in soft targets and to offer decent penetration performance on hard and combined targets like car doors or glass and body armor.[10] The muzzle velocity V0 and V50 indicate a G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.112 to 0.119. At the stated effective range of 200 m, the 2 g Action projectile travels at approximately Mach 1.67 (586 m/s or 1923 f/s) under International Standard Atmosphere conditions at sea level (air density ρ = 1.225 kg/m3).

Action Law Enforcement cartridge technical data:[11]

  • Temperature range: -30 °C to +52 °C
  • Velocity, energy at 0 m: 700 m/s, 480 joules
  • Velocity, energy at 50 m: 568 m/s, 322 joules
  • Ballistic coefficient C 1: 0.112-0.119 (ICAO)/(Army Metro)
  • Mean chamber pressure: max. 400 MPa
  • Penetration in 20% gelatine: bare at 25 m: < 30 cm
  • Accuracy at 50 m: Ø 5 cm
  • Effective service range: 200 m (656 ft)

2.7 g full metal jacket 4.6×30mm

The ball 4.6×30mm cartridge weighs 7 g and is loaded with a 2.7 g full metal jacket projectile with a PbSb-alloy core and a copper-plated steel jacket that achieves 600 m/s (2,000 ft/s) muzzle velocity. The cartridge is designed for the MP7. This ammunition is optimized for energy transfer in soft targets and offers good precision.[12] The muzzle velocity V0 and V100 indicate a G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.171 to 0.187. At the stated effective range of 200 m, the 2.7 g ball projectile travels at approximately Mach 1.36 (463 m/s) under International Standard Atmosphere conditions at sea level (air density ρ = 1.225 kg/m3).

Ball cartridge technical data:[13]

  • Temperature range: between -54 °C and +52 °C
  • Velocity, energy at 0 m: 600 m/s, 486 Joules
  • Velocity, energy at 100 m: 463 m/s, 320 Joules
  • Ballistic coefficient C 1: 0.171-0.187 (ICAO)/(Army Metro)
  • Mean chamber pressure: max. 400 MPa
  • Penetration in gelatine bare at 25 m: < 35 cm
  • Accuracy at 100 m: Ø 8 cm
  • Effective range:~300 m (984 ft) (HK claims that the FMJ round has more retained energy than the "Combat Steel" due to the FMJ's heavier projectile.)

Others

VBR produces a 4.6×30mm two-part controlled fragmenting projectile that is claimed to increase the content of the permanent wound cavity and double the chance to hit a vital organ.[14] Heckler & Koch claims that the CPS Black Tip ammunition made by Fiocchi has a muzzle energy of approximately 525 J that is comparable to 9×19mm rounds.[15]

See also

References
  1. Gourley, S.; Kemp, I (November 26, 2003). "The Duellists". Jane's Defence Weekly (ISSN 0265-3818), Volume 40 Issue 21, pp 26–28.
  2. "Suppressed Rifle Cartridges". Raygun.10gauge.de. 2007-04-23. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
  3. "Fiocchi - SFN Ram". Heckler-koch.com. Archived from the original on 2012-06-15. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
  4. "Heckler & Koch :: Products". Hkd-usa.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-01. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
  5. "01 December 2011, brochure (Energy and velocity at 10 m)". Retrieved 2012-02-13.
  6. C.I.P. TDCC 4,6 × 30
  7. Oliver, David (2007). "Global Defence Review — In the Line of Fire". GDR Publications. Archived from the original on October 16, 2006. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
  8. jestertoogmailcom (2018-04-12). "4.6mm x 30mm PDW". Military Cartridges. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  9. RUAG Ammotec 2.0 g German Army 4.6×30mm Penetrator DM11 cartridge factsheet
  10. RUAG Ammotec 2.0 g Law Enforcement 4.6×30mm cartridge factsheet
  11. RUAG Ammotec 2.0 g Law Enforcement 4.6×30mm cartridge factsheet
  12. RUAG Ammotec 2.7 g Full Metal Jacket 4.6×30mm cartridge factsheet
  13. RUAG Ammotec 2.7 g Full Matal Jacket 4.6×30mm cartridge factsheet
  14. "The 4.6x30 mm B2F cartridge". Fsdip.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-11. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
  15. "Heckler & Koch :: Products". Heckler-koch.de. Archived from the original on 2010-07-23. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
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