4.6x30mm

Infobox Firearm Cartridge
name=4.6x30mm


caption=The 4.6x30mm cartridge.
origin=flag|Germany
type=Personal defense weapon
service=2001 - present
used_by=See "Heckler & Koch MP7 Users"
wars=
designer=
Heckler & Koch
design_date=
manufacturer=
production_date=
number=
variants=
is_SI_specs=yes
parent=
case_type=Rimless, bottleneck
bullet=4.65
neck=5.31
shoulder=7.75
base=8.02
rim_dia=8.00
rim_thick=1.10
case_length=30.50
length=38.50
rifling=160 mm (1 in 6.3 in)
primer=small pistol
max_pressure=400.00
max_cup=
is_SI_ballistics=yes
bwunit=gram
bw1=1.6
btype1=Copper plated solid steel
vel1=725
en1=421
bw2=2.0
btype2=DM11 Penetrator
vel2=685
en2=469
bw3=2.0
btype3=Solid Hollow Point
vel3=685
en3=469
bw4=2.6
btype4=FMJ
vel4=600
en4=468
bw5=
btype5=
vel5=
en5=
test_barrel_length=
balsrc= HKPro [http://www.hkpro.com/pdw.htm hkpro.com] ] RUAG Ammotec [ [http://www.ruag.com/ruag/juice?pageID=147483 RUAG Ammotec] ]

The 4.6x30mm cartridge is a type of ammunition used in the H&K MP7 Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) and by the H&K 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.

Development

The round was designed as a competitor to the 5.7x28mm round developed by Fabrique Nationale. In head-to-head comparison of the two rounds, 4.6x30mm fired out of the MP7 is faster and offers slightly longer range and increased terminal ballistics than the 5.7x28mm fired out of the P90.Fact|date=December 2007Dubious|date=March 2008 SS195LF, with a convert|1.8|g|gr|sing=on projectile, fired out of the P90 can achieve muzzle velocities of approximately convert|760|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on.Fact|date=September 2007

Cartridge dimensions

The 4.6x30mm has 0.87 ml (13.4 grains) H₂O cartridge case capacity.

4.6x30mm maximum C.I.P. cartridge dimensions. All sizes in millimeters (mm). [ [http://www.cip-bp.org/index.php?id=tdcc-telechargement Current C.I.P. decisions, texts and tables (Free C.I.P. CD-ROM version download in ZIP and RAR format)] ]

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 pistol.

According to the official C.I.P. (Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives) guidelines the 4.6x30mmcase can handle up to 400 MPa (58,015 psi) piezo pressure. In C.I.P. regulated countries every rifle cartridge combo has to be proofed at 125% of this maximum C.I.P. pressure to certify for sale to consumers.

The Belgian 5.7x28mm cartridge introduced in 1994 is probably the closest currently (2008) commercially available ballistic twin of the 4.6x30mm.

Overview

Compared to conventional assault rifle cartidges one can carry more 4.6x30mm 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 recoil depends much on the weight of the bullet. And because of the lesser diameter and relative high achievable projectile velocity penetration power to (body)armor is much higher compared to traditional handgun projectiles as CRISAT testing proves.

The 4.6x30mm cartridge and the 5.7x28mm cartridge have however been criticized for having low terminal effectiveness. This claim comes especially from those who disagree with the "energy dump" theory of wound ballistics such as Dr. Martin Fackler and Dr. Gary Roberts. 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. Dr. Fackler and Dr. Roberts claim that the combination of permanent wound cavity and frequently insufficient penetration (the FBI recommends a minimum of convert|300|mm|in of penetration in ballistic gelatin) make these PDW cartridges terrible terminal performers. Slow motion videos show that the 4.6 mm bullet yaws at impact on soft tissue. This is because the mass centre of the bullet is behind the geometrical center causing the back to come forward at impact and therefore tumbling through soft tissue creating much larger damage.

Cartridges

2 g DM11 Penetrator 4.6x30mm

The German Army version of the 4.6x30mm cartridge (DM11 Penetrator) weighs 6.5 g and uses a 2 g CuZn-alloy (brass) jacketed steel core projectile at 685 m/s (2,250 ft/s) muzzle velocity. The DM11 Penetrator cartridge is designed for the MP7. This ammunition should combine energy transfer in soft targets and very good penetration. [ [http://www.ruag.com/ruag/binary?media=147540&open=true RUAG Ammotec 2.0 g German Army 4.6x30mm Penetrator DM11 cartridge factsheet] ] 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 maximum range of 150 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: [ [http://www.ruag.com/ruag/binary?media=147540&open=true RUAG Ammotec 2.0 g German Army 4.6x30mm Penetrator DM11 cartridge factsheet] ]
*temperature range: between -54°C and +52°C
*velocity/energy at 0 m: min. 685 m/s / 476 Joule
*velocity/energy at 100 m: 505 m/s / 255 Joule
*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: CRISAT 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: 150 m

2 g Action Law Enforcement 4.6x30mm

The Action 4.6x30mm Law Enforcement cartridge weighs 6.5 g and is loaded with a 2 g CuZn-alloy (brass) Solid Hollow Point projectile that achieves 685 m/s (2,250 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. [ [http://www.ruag.com/ruag/binary?media=147537&open=true4.6mmx30_Sintox_Action_2.0g RUAG Ammotec 2.0 g Law Enforcement 4.6x30mm cartridge factsheet] ] 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 maximum range of 50 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: [ [http://www.ruag.com/ruag/binary?media=147537&open=true4.6mmx30_Sintox_Action_2.0g RUAG Ammotec 2.0 g Law Enforcement 4.6x30mm cartridge factsheet] ]
*temperature range: -30°C to + 52°C
*velocity/energy at 0 m: 685 m/s /470 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: 50 m

2.6 g Ball 4.6x30mm

The Ball 4.6x30mm cartridge weighs 7 g and is loaded with a 2.6 g Full Metal Jacket projectile with a PbSb – alloy core and a steel copper plated jacket that achieves 600 m/s (1,969 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. [ [http://www.ruag.com/ruag/binary?media=147539&open=true RUAG Ammotec 2.6 g Ball 4.6x30mm cartridge factsheet] ] The muzzle velocity V₀ and V₁₀₀ indicate a ballistic coefficient of approximately 0.171 to 0.187 (BC's are somewhat debatable). At the stated maximum range of 100 m the 2.6 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: [ [http://www.ruag.com/ruag/binary?media=147539&open=true RUAG Ammotec 2.6 g Ball 4.6x30mm cartridge factsheet] ]
*temperature range: between -54°C and +52°C
*velocity/energy at 0 m: 600 m/s / 468 Joule
*velocity/energy at 100 m: 463 m/s / 279 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: 100 m

Comparison between 4.6x30mm and 5.7x28mm cartridges

Tests results of the 4.6x30mm round:
* Penetration of a ballistic gelatin block at 50 m (20 % gelatin block 300 mm long) - 280 mm (11 in)
* Energy transfer through body armor at 50 m (1.6 mm titanium + 20 layers of Kevlar) - 220 J
* Energy transfer through body armor at 100 m (1.6 mm titanium + 20 layers of Kevlar) - 115 J

Tests results of the 5.7x28mm round:
* Penetration of a ballistic gelatin block at 50 m (20 % gelatin block 300 mm long) - 230 mm
* Energy transfer through body armor at 50 m (1.6 mm titanium + 20 layers of Kevlar) - 180 J
* Energy transfer through body armor at 100 m (1.6 mm titanium + 20 layers of Kevlar) - 65 J

Muzzle Energies Compared:
* 1.6 g original 4.6 mm: 421 Joule, 311 ft·lbf (fired from MP7)
* 2 g DM11 steel penetrator 4.6 mm: 469 Joule, 346 ft·lbf (fired from MP7)
* 2.1 SS190 5.7 mm: 538 Joule, 397 ft·lbf (fired from P90)

Weapons

*Heckler & Koch MP7
*Heckler & Koch UCP

ee also

*List of rifle cartridges
*5.7x28mm
*4 mm caliber

References

* C.I.P. decisions, texts and tables ( [http://www.cip-bp.org/index.php?id=tdcc-telechargement free current C.I.P. CD-ROM version download (ZIP and RAR format)] )
* [http://www.ruag.com/ruag/binary?media=147540&open=true RUAG Ammotec 2.0 g German Army 4.6x30mm Penetrator DM11 cartridge factsheet]
* [http://www.ruag.com/ruag/binary?media=147537&open=true4.6mmx30_Sintox_Action_2.0g RUAG Ammotec 2.0 g Law Enforcement 4.6x30mm cartridge factsheet]
* [http://www.ruag.com/ruag/binary?media=147539&open=true RUAG Ammotec 2.6 g Ball 4.6x30mm cartridge factsheet]

External links

* [http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg141-e.htm UCP overview on world.guns.ru]
* [http://world.guns.ru/smg/smg49-e.htm MP7 PDW overview on world.guns.ru]
* [http://www.hkpro.com/pdw.htm PDW and 4.6 ammo overview on hkpro.com]
* [http://www.eskimo.com/~jbm/calculations/bcv/bcv.html JBM Small Arms Ballistics Ballistic Coefficient (Velocity) Calculator]