HK 4.6×30mm
4.6×30mm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Afghanistan War[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Production history | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Variants | See Variations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Specifications | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Case type | Rebated, bottleneck | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Bullet diameter | 4.65 mm (0.183 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Land diameter | 4.52 mm (0.178 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Neck diameter | 5.31 mm (0.209 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shoulder diameter | 7.75 mm (0.305 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Base diameter | 8.02 mm (0.316 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rim diameter | 8.00 mm (0.315 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rim thickness | 1.10 mm (0.043 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Case length | 30.50 mm (1.201 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Overall length | 38.50 mm (1.516 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rifling twist | 160 mm (1 in 6.3 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Primer type | Boxer small rifle[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Maximum pressure | 400.00 MPa (58,015 psi) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Ballistic performance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Test barrel length: 180 mm Source(s): HK USA[3] HK USA[4] Modern Firearms, Pistol / SMG ammunition Heckler & Koch Products[5] |
The 4.6×30mm (designated as the 4,6 × 30 by the
Development
The 4.6×30mm cartridge was introduced in 1999 as a competitor to
Overview
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
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. 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
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
According to the official
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
Variations
2 g DM11 Penetrator Ultimate Combat
The
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 (
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]
Platforms
Name | Country | Type | Note |
---|---|---|---|
Heckler & Koch UCP
|
Germany | Semi-automatic pistol | Cancelled at the prototype stage.[16] |
Heckler & Koch MP7 | Germany | Personal defense weapon/Submachine gun | |
ST Kinetics CPW | Singapore | Personal defense weapon/Submachine gun | 4.6 caliber as potential conversion from 9mm.[17] |
CMMG Banshee Mk4 | USA | Pistol/Carbine (as SBR) | First firearm marketed for civilians in 4.6 caliber.[18] |
Tommy Built Tactical T7 | USA | Pistol/Carbine (as SBR) | MP7 clone marketed to civilians in 4.6 caliber.[19] |
References
- ^ ISSN 0265-3818), Volume 40 Issue 21, pp 26–28.
- ^ a b "Suppressed Rifle Cartridges". Raygun.10gauge.de. 2007-04-23. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
- ^ "Fiocchi - SFN Ram". Heckler-koch.com. Archived from the original on 2012-06-15. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
- ^ "Heckler & Koch :: Products". Hkd-usa.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-01. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
- ^ "01 December 2011, brochure (Energy and velocity at 10 m)". Retrieved 2012-02-13.
- ^ a b c C.I.P. TDCC 4,6 × 30
- ^ a b c d e f g h 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.
- ^ jestertoogmailcom (2018-04-12). "4.6mm x 30mm PDW". Military Cartridges. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
- ^ RUAG Ammotec 2.0 g German Army 4.6×30mm Penetrator DM11 cartridge factsheet
- ^ RUAG Ammotec 2.0 g Law Enforcement 4.6×30mm cartridge factsheet
- ^ RUAG Ammotec 2.0 g Law Enforcement 4.6×30mm cartridge factsheet
- ^ RUAG Ammotec 2.7 g Full Metal Jacket 4.6×30mm cartridge factsheet
- ^ RUAG Ammotec 2.7 g Full Matal Jacket 4.6×30mm cartridge factsheet
- ^ "The 4.6x30 mm B2F cartridge". Fsdip.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-11. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
- ^ "Heckler & Koch :: Products". Heckler-koch.de. Archived from the original on 2010-07-23. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
- ^ "pistol-training.com » Blog Archive » Pistol News from Heckler & Koch". pistol-training.com. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
- ^ "STK CPW". 27 October 2010.
- ^ "CMMG Four Six, the world's first 4.6x30mm civilian firearm!". 29 November 2021.
- ^ "T7 Pistol". 10 April 2024.
- C.I.P. decisions, texts and tables (free current C.I.P. CD-ROM version download (ZIP and RAR format))
- RUAG Ammotec 2.0 g German Army 4.6×30mm Penetrator DM11 cartridge factsheet
- RUAG Ammotec 2.0 g Law Enforcement 4.6×30mm cartridge factsheet
- RUAG Ammotec 2.7 g Ball 4.6×30mm cartridge factsheet
External links
- PDW and 4.6 ammo overview on hkpro.com
- JBM Small Arms Ballistics Ballistic Coefficient (Velocity) Calculator[permanent dead link]