4.6x30mm
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
4.6x30mm: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Submachine Gun, Personal Defense Weapon |
| Primer Type | Boxer |
| Used For | Military, Law Enforcement, Close Quarters Combat |
| Case Design | Rimless, Bottleneck |
| Year Introduced | 2001 |
4.6x30mm: At a Glance: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ High velocity for improved penetration
- ✔ Low recoil for rapid follow-up shots
- ✔ Compact size allows for higher capacity magazines
- ✔ Effective against soft body armor
- ✔ Flat trajectory for easier aiming
Cons
- ✘ Limited stopping power compared to larger calibers
- ✘ Not widely adopted outside of specific military/law enforcement units
- ✘ Limited ammunition variety and availability for civilian use
- ✘ Less effective for medium to long-range engagements
- ✘ Higher cost per round compared to more common calibers
4.6x30mm: The Compact Powerhouse
The 4.6x30mm is a unique cartridge developed by Heckler & Koch in collaboration with the German arms manufacturer Dynamit Nobel. It was designed specifically for use in the HK MP7 Personal Defense Weapon (PDW). This compact round offers high velocity, low recoil, and excellent armor-penetrating capabilities, making it ideal for close-quarters combat and personal defense scenarios.
History and Development
The 4.6x30mm cartridge was developed in the late 1990s as part of the PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) concept. Heckler & Koch aimed to create a round that could effectively penetrate body armor while remaining compact enough for use in a small, lightweight weapon system.
The cartridge was designed to compete with FN Herstal's 5.7x28mm round, which was developed for a similar purpose. Both cartridges aimed to replace traditional pistol calibers in certain military and law enforcement roles, offering improved range, accuracy, and armor penetration capabilities.
The 4.6x30mm features a bottlenecked case design, which allows for high velocities despite its small size. This design contributes to the round's flat trajectory and impressive armor-penetrating performance, especially at close to medium ranges.
While the 4.6x30mm has not seen as widespread adoption as its 5.7x28mm competitor, it has been adopted by several special forces units and law enforcement agencies worldwide. Its primary platform, the HK MP7, has gained popularity among these groups due to its compact size and the cartridge's effectiveness against body armor.
Technical Specifications
The 4.6x30mm cartridge has a case length of 30mm and a bullet diameter of 4.6mm. It typically uses lightweight bullets ranging from 25 to 40 grains, with the most common being a 31-grain projectile. These light bullets, combined with the cartridge's high pressure, result in muzzle velocities exceeding 2,000 feet per second from the MP7's short barrel.
The round's high velocity and small, dense projectile give it excellent penetration capabilities, particularly against soft body armor. However, its light bullet weight limits its effectiveness against unarmored targets compared to larger calibers.
4.6x30mm Development and Adoption Timeline:
4.6x30mm Performance Characteristics
The 4.6x30mm cartridge offers unique performance characteristics tailored for its role in personal defense weapons. Here's a breakdown of its key performance attributes:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,350 fps (31-grain DM11 bullet) From HK MP7 with 7.1-inch barrel |
| Muzzle Energy | 378 ft-lbs (31-grain DM11 bullet) From HK MP7 with 7.1-inch barrel |
| Effective Range | 200 meters Maintains accuracy and lethality within this range |
| Armor Penetration | Penetrates CRISAT target at 200 meters CRISAT: 1.6mm titanium plate plus 20 layers of Kevlar |
| Recoil | Significantly lower than 9mm Parabellum Allows for better control in full-auto fire |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common 4.6x30mm loads.
4.6x30mm: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for 4.6x30mm ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (meters) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Military/Close Quarters Combat | 0-200 | Designed for close quarters combat and personal defense weapons |
| Law Enforcement | 0-150 | Effective for urban engagements, good penetration of soft body armor |
| Vehicle Defense | 0-100 | Suitable for use in confined spaces like vehicles |
| Target Shooting | 0-300 | Capable of accuracy at longer ranges with proper loads |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The 4.6x30mm is known for its flat trajectory and armor-penetrating capabilities at close to medium ranges. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for 4.6x30mm
The 4.6x30mm cartridge is designed for specific applications, primarily in military and law enforcement contexts:
4.6x30mm Caliber Comparisons
The 4.6x30mm is a unique cartridge developed for use in personal defense weapons. To understand its capabilities, let's compare it to similar cartridges:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of 4.6x30mm with other popular pistol and PDW cartridges. (Based on a 4.5 lb weapon)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of 4.6x30mm with other popular pistol and PDW cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of 4.6x30mm with other popular pistol and PDW cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of 4.6x30mm with other popular pistol and PDW cartridges over distance.
4.6x30mm Sectional Density
The 4.6x30mm is a small caliber cartridge developed by Heckler & Koch for use in their MP7 personal defense weapon. It's designed for high penetration against body armor.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| 4.6x30mm | 31 | 0.149 |
| 4.6x30mm | 40 | 0.192 |
| 4.6x30mm | 25 | 0.120 |
Note: The 4.6x30mm cartridge has a relatively small bullet diameter of 0.180 inches, which contributes to its high sectional density despite the light bullet weights. This design allows for high velocity and good penetration characteristics, especially against soft body armor.