HK 4.6×30mm
Encyclopedia
The HK 4.6×30mm cartridge is a type of ammunition used in the Heckler & Koch
MP7 Personal Defense Weapon (PDW)
and by the HK UCP
pistol. It is designed to minimize weight and recoil while increasing penetration of body armor. It features a bottlenecked case and a pointed, steel-core, brass-jacketed bullet.
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.
The 4.6×30mm cartridge has been claimed to have low terminal effectiveness, especially by those who disagree with the "energy dump" theory of wound ballistics, such as Dr. Martin Fackler
. Kinetic energy manifests itself in human tissue in temporary stretching of tissue, which most tissue except for liver and neural tissue is able to withstand with little ill effect. Slow motion videos show that the 4.6 mm bullet yaws at impact on soft tissue. This is because the center of mass of the bullet is behind the geometric center, causing the back to come forward at impact, and therefore tumbling through soft tissue, creating much greater damage, according to the "energy dump" theory.
Testing done by HKPro in 2000 indicated that the 4.6×30mm cartridge penetrated deeper in 20% ballistic gelatin
and transferred slightly more energy than the 5.7×28mm cartridge fired from the FN P90
. However, a more recent series of tests performed by NATO in the United Kingdom
and France
indicated that 5.7×28mm was the superior cartridge. The results of the NATO tests were analyzed by a group formed 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.
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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
(13.4 grains
) H2O cartridge case capacity.
4.6×30mm maximum C.I.P. cartridge dimensions. All sizes in millimeters (mm).
Americans would 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
.
According to the official C.I.P. (Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives
) guidelines, the 4.6×30mm case can handle up to 400 MPa (58,015 psi) piezo pressure. In C.I.P. regulated countries every pistol cartridge combo has to be proofed at 130% of this maximum C.I.P. pressure to certify for sale to consumers.
The Belgian 5.7×28mm cartridge introduced in 1993 is probably the closest currently available ballistic twin of the 4.6×30mm.
version of the 4.6×30mm cartridge (DM11 Penetrator) weighs 6.5 g and uses a 2 g CuZn-alloy (brass
) jacketed steel core projectile at 692,5 m/s (2,272 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 300 meters. This ammunition should combine energy transfer in soft targets and very good penetration. The muzzle velocity V0 and V100 indicate a ballistic coefficient
of approximately 0.141 to 0.150 (BC's 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 travelling at approximately Mach 1.25 (425 m/s) under ICAO Standard Atmosphere conditions at sea level (air density ρ = 1.225 kg/m3).
DM11 cartridge technical data:
) 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 should offer decent penetration performance on hard and combined targets like car doors or glass and body armour. The muzzle velocity V0 and V50 indicate a ballistic coefficient
of approximately 0.112 to 0.119 (BC's are somewhat debatable). At the stated effective range of 200 m the 2 g Action projectile will be travelling at approximately Mach 1.67 (586 m/s) under ICAO Standard Atmosphere conditions at sea level (air density ρ = 1.225 kg/m3).
Action Law Enforcement cartridge technical data:
of approximately 0.171 to 0.187 (BC's are somewhat debatable). At the stated effective range of 200 m the 2.7 g Ball projectile will be travelling at approximately Mach 1.36 (463 m/s) under ICAO Standard Atmosphere conditions at sea level (air density ρ = 1.225 kg/m3).
Ball cartridge technical data:
Heckler & Koch
claims that the CPS Black Tip ammunition made by Fiocchi has a muzzle energy of approximately 525 J that would be comparable to 9 mm rounds.
Heckler & Koch
Heckler & Koch GmbH is a German defense manufacturing company that produces various small arms. Some of their products include the SA80, MP5 submachine gun, G3 automatic rifle, the G36 assault rifle, the HK 416, the MP7 personal defense weapon, the USP series of handguns, and the high-precision...
MP7 Personal Defense Weapon (PDW)
Personal defense weapon
A personal defense weapon is a compact semi-automatic or fully automatic firearm similar in most respects to a submachine gun, but firing an armor-piercing rifle round, giving a PDW better range, accuracy and armor-penetrating capability than submachine guns, which fire pistol-caliber cartridges...
and by the HK UCP
Heckler & Koch UCP
The Heckler & Koch Universal Combat Pistol , a double action, semi-automatic handgun also known as the HK P46, was developed under commission for the German Bundeswehr....
pistol. It is designed to minimize weight and recoil while increasing penetration of body armor. It features a bottlenecked case and a pointed, steel-core, brass-jacketed bullet.
Development
The 4.6×30mm cartridge was introduced in 1999. It was designed as a competitor to FN Herstal's 5.7×28mm cartridge.Overview
Compared to conventional assault rifle cartridges one can carry more 4.6×30mm ammunition due to the lighter weight and relative small dimensions of the cartridge. Also, due to the lighter weight of the bullet, aiming in rapid fire is much easier as recoilFree recoil
This article is about the energy produced by small arms when discharged. For other uses, go to Recoil Free recoil is a vernacular term or jargon for recoil energy...
depends much on the weight of the bullet. CRISAT
CRISAT
CRISAT, short for Collaborative Research Into Small Arms Technology, is an EU-NATO standard in the manufacture of military equipment. The CRISAT target is defined as a 1.6mm titanium plate supplemented by 20 layers of Kevlar. This target is intended to replicate the personal protection used by...
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.
The 4.6×30mm cartridge has been claimed to have low terminal effectiveness, especially by those who disagree with the "energy dump" theory of wound ballistics, such as Dr. Martin Fackler
Martin Fackler
Dr. Martin L. Fackler is a retired Colonel in the US Army's Medical Corps, he was a battlefield surgeon, and the head of the Wound Ballistics Laboratory for the US Army’s Medical Training Center, Letterman Institute....
. Kinetic energy manifests itself in human tissue in temporary stretching of tissue, which most tissue except for liver and neural tissue is able to withstand with little ill effect. Slow motion videos show that the 4.6 mm bullet yaws at impact on soft tissue. This is because the center of mass of the bullet is behind the geometric center, causing the back to come forward at impact, and therefore tumbling through soft tissue, creating much greater damage, according to the "energy dump" theory.
Testing done by HKPro in 2000 indicated that the 4.6×30mm cartridge penetrated deeper in 20% ballistic gelatin
Ballistic gelatin
Ballistic Gelatin is a testing medium scientifically correlated to swine muscle tissue , in which the effects of bullet wounds can be simulated. It was developed and improved by Martin Fackler and others in the field of wound ballistics. Ballistic gelatin is a solution of gelatin powder in water...
and transferred slightly more energy than the 5.7×28mm cartridge fired from the FN P90
FN P90
The FN P90 is a selective fire personal defense weapon designed and manufactured by FN Herstal in Belgium. The P90's name is taken from 1990, the year it was introduced...
. However, a more recent series of tests performed by NATO in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
indicated that 5.7×28mm was the superior cartridge. The results of the NATO tests were analyzed by a group formed of experts from France, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and the United Kingdom and the group's conclusion was that the 5.7×28mm was "undoubtedly" the more efficient cartridge.
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. 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. In addition, the group pointed out that 5.7×28mm is close to the 5.56×45mm NATO
5.56x45mm NATO
5.56×45mm NATO is a rifle cartridge developed in the United States and originally chambered in the M16 rifle. Under STANAG 4172, it is a standard cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries. It is derived from, but not identical to, the .223 Remington cartridge...
by its design and manufacture process, allowing it to be manufactured on existing production lines. 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
Heckler & Koch UCP
The Heckler & Koch Universal Combat Pistol , a double action, semi-automatic handgun also known as the HK P46, was developed under commission for the German Bundeswehr....
pistol was still only an early concept. 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.
Cartridge dimensions
The 4.6×30mm has 0.87 mlLitre
pic|200px|right|thumb|One litre is equivalent to this cubeEach side is 10 cm1 litre water = 1 kilogram water The litre is a metric system unit of volume equal to 1 cubic decimetre , to 1,000 cubic centimetres , and to 1/1,000 cubic metre...
(13.4 grains
Grain (measure)
A grain is a unit of measurement of mass that is nominally based upon the mass of a single seed of a cereal. From the Bronze Age into the Renaissance the average masses of wheat and barley grains were part of the legal definition of units of mass. However, there is no evidence of any country ever...
) H2O cartridge case capacity.
4.6×30mm maximum C.I.P. cartridge dimensions. All sizes in millimeters (mm).
Americans would define the shoulder angle at alpha/2 ≈ 22 degrees. The common rifling
Rifling
Rifling is the process of making helical grooves in the barrel of a gun or firearm, which imparts a spin to a projectile around its long axis...
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
Percussion cap
The percussion cap, introduced around 1830, was the crucial invention that enabled muzzleloading firearms to fire reliably in any weather.Before this development, firearms used flintlock ignition systems which produced flint-on-steel sparks to ignite a pan of priming powder and thereby fire the...
is small rifle
Rifle
A rifle is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls. The raised areas of the rifling are called "lands," which make contact with the projectile , imparting spin around an axis corresponding to the...
.
According to the official C.I.P. (Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives
Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives
The Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives is an international organisation whose members are 14 states, mainly European....
) guidelines, the 4.6×30mm case can handle up to 400 MPa (58,015 psi) piezo pressure. In C.I.P. regulated countries every pistol cartridge combo has to be proofed at 130% of this maximum C.I.P. pressure to certify for sale to consumers.
The Belgian 5.7×28mm cartridge introduced in 1993 is probably the closest currently available ballistic twin of the 4.6×30mm.
2 g DM11 Penetrator Ultimate Combat
The German ArmyGerman Army
The German Army is the land component of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. Following the disbanding of the Wehrmacht after World War II, it was re-established in 1955 as the Bundesheer, part of the newly formed West German Bundeswehr along with the Navy and the Air Force...
version of the 4.6×30mm cartridge (DM11 Penetrator) weighs 6.5 g and uses a 2 g CuZn-alloy (brass
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin...
) jacketed steel core projectile at 692,5 m/s (2,272 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 300 meters. This ammunition should combine energy transfer in soft targets and very good penetration. The muzzle velocity V0 and V100 indicate a ballistic coefficient
Ballistic coefficient
In ballistics, the ballistic coefficient of a body is a measure of its ability to overcome air resistance in flight. It is inversely proportional to the negative acceleration—a high number indicates a low negative acceleration. BC is a function of mass, diameter, and drag coefficient...
of approximately 0.141 to 0.150 (BC's 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 travelling at approximately Mach 1.25 (425 m/s) under ICAO Standard Atmosphere conditions at sea level (air density ρ = 1.225 kg/m3).
DM11 cartridge technical data:
- Temperature range: between -54°C and +52°C
- Velocity/energy at 0 m: minimum 692,5 m/s / 476 Joule
- Velocity/energy at 100 m: 545 m/s / 297 Joule
- Velocity/energy at 100 m (with 240 mm barrel): 625 m/s (2050 ft/s) / 365 Joule (270 ft·lbf), with CRISAT target after 100 m: 504 m/s (1676 ft/s) / 224 Joule (182 ft·lbf)
- Velocity 100 m (behind CRISAT target): 432 m/s (1417 ft/s)
- Energy at 100 m (behind CRISAT target): 186 J (138 ft·lbf)
- Ballistic coefficient C 1: 0.141 - 0.150 (ICAO)/(Army Metro)
- Mean chamber pressure: max. 400 MPa
- Penetration at 50 m: mild steel plate 9 mm thickness
- Penetration at 200 m: CRISATCRISATCRISAT, short for Collaborative Research Into Small Arms Technology, is an EU-NATO standard in the manufacture of military equipment. The CRISAT target is defined as a 1.6mm titanium plate supplemented by 20 layers of Kevlar. This target is intended to replicate the personal protection used by...
NATO target (1.6 mm titanium plate + 20 layers of Kevlar) - Penetration in gelatine bare at 25: < 35 cm
- Accuracy at 100 m: Ø 10 cm
- Effective range: 200 m (656 ft)
- NATO CRISAT Armour penetration: +300 m (984 ft)
- Energy at 100 m (behind CRISAT target): 186 J (138 ft·lbf)
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 (brassBrass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin...
) 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 should offer decent penetration performance on hard and combined targets like car doors or glass and body armour. The muzzle velocity V0 and V50 indicate a ballistic coefficient
Ballistic coefficient
In ballistics, the ballistic coefficient of a body is a measure of its ability to overcome air resistance in flight. It is inversely proportional to the negative acceleration—a high number indicates a low negative acceleration. BC is a function of mass, diameter, and drag coefficient...
of approximately 0.112 to 0.119 (BC's are somewhat debatable). At the stated effective range of 200 m the 2 g Action projectile will be travelling at approximately Mach 1.67 (586 m/s) under ICAO Standard Atmosphere conditions at sea level (air density ρ = 1.225 kg/m3).
Action Law Enforcement cartridge technical data:
- Temperature range: -30°C to + 52°C
- Velocity/energy at 0 m: 700 m/s /480 Joule
- Velocity/energy at 50 m: 568 m/s / 322 Joule
- 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 steel copper plated 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 should offer good precision. The muzzle velocity V0 and V100 indicate a ballistic coefficientBallistic coefficient
In ballistics, the ballistic coefficient of a body is a measure of its ability to overcome air resistance in flight. It is inversely proportional to the negative acceleration—a high number indicates a low negative acceleration. BC is a function of mass, diameter, and drag coefficient...
of approximately 0.171 to 0.187 (BC's are somewhat debatable). At the stated effective range of 200 m the 2.7 g Ball projectile will be travelling at approximately Mach 1.36 (463 m/s) under ICAO Standard Atmosphere conditions at sea level (air density ρ = 1.225 kg/m3).
Ball cartridge technical data:
- Temperature range: between -54°C and +52°C
- Velocity/energy at 0 m: 600 m/s / 544 Joule
- Velocity/energy at 100 m: 463 m/s / 320 Joule
- 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 after firing, the Full Metal Jacket ammunation holds much more kinetic energy than "Combat Steel". Because, the FMJ has heavier projectile.)
Others
VBR produces a 4.6×30mm 2-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.Heckler & Koch
Heckler & Koch
Heckler & Koch GmbH is a German defense manufacturing company that produces various small arms. Some of their products include the SA80, MP5 submachine gun, G3 automatic rifle, the G36 assault rifle, the HK 416, the MP7 personal defense weapon, the USP series of handguns, and the high-precision...
claims that the CPS Black Tip ammunition made by Fiocchi has a muzzle energy of approximately 525 J that would be comparable to 9 mm rounds.
See also
- 4 mm caliber4 mm caliberThis article lists firearm cartridges which have a bullet in the .172 in / 4.5mm caliber range.*Length refers to the cartridge case length.*OAL refers to the overall length of the cartridge.All measurements are in mm .-Rimfire cartridges:...
- 4.38×30mm Libra4.38×30mm LibraThe 4.38×30mm Libra is a personal defence weapon round manufactured by ČZW....
- 4.5 mm mkr4.5 mm mkrThe 4.5mm mkr cartridge was developed by Interdynamics AB, a Swedish company, in the 1980s.It was essentially a .22 WMR necked down to a 4.5mm bullet, designed to be used in the Interdynamics MKR rifle....
- 5.7×28mm
- 5.8x21mm DAP92
- 7.92×24mm7.92x24mmThe 7.92×24 mm cartridge is a pistol cartridge designed in Belgium by Rik Van Bruaene of VBR-Belgium.The design objective was the development of a cartridge for use in Personal Defence Weapons , and for use in pistols, submachine guns and carbines...
- List of cartridges by caliber
- List of rifle cartridges
Weapons
- Heckler & Koch MP7Heckler & Koch MP7The MP7 is a German submachine gun manufactured by Heckler & Koch and chambered for the 4.6×30mm cartridge. It was designed with the new cartridge to meet NATO requirements published in 1989, as these requirements call for a personal defense weapon class firearm, with a greater ability to defeat...
- Heckler & Koch UCPHeckler & Koch UCPThe Heckler & Koch Universal Combat Pistol , a double action, semi-automatic handgun also known as the HK P46, was developed under commission for the German Bundeswehr....
- ST Kinetics CPWST Kinetics CPWThe CPW is a multi-caliber submachine gun developed by ST Kinetics of Singapore as a PDW-class firearm. The prototype is chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum but the manufacturer assures that the weapon's modular design allows for a simple caliber conversion to either 5.7x28mm or 4.6x30mm.-Design...
- TVGK
- VBR-CQBWVBR-Belgium CQBWThe CQBW is a semi automatic pistol manufactured by VBR-Belgium. It is chambered for the 7.92x24mm round but can also be converted to fire 4.6x30mm or 5.7x28mm rounds.-References:* * -See also:* 7.92x24mm* FN Five-seven* Heckler & Koch UCP* QSZ-92...