4.6x30mm vs 5.7x28mm
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going compare 4.6x30mm and 5.7x28mm today. These two iconic PDW cartridges are associated with iconic firearms which are employed by many armed professionals. The intermediate cartridges bridge the gap between pistol and rifle rounds and are suitable for a wide range of purposes and were the subjects of a notable series of NATO trials. Without further ado, let’s compare and contrast the 4.6x30mm and the 5.7x28mm.
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What is 4.6x30mm?
The 4.6x30mm cartridge was developed in 1999 by Heckler & Koch, a well-known force in the realm of firearms and weapon development. The cartridge is short in length and bottleneck in nature, mirroring the appearance of a rifle cartridge. This bottlenecked cartridge is capable of exhibiting high pressures conducive to high velocities and flat trajectories. Additionally, the cartridge boasts a soft and controllable recoil impulse, allowing for optimal shot placement and follow-up shots. When designing the 4.6x30mm, H&K focused on producing a cartridge which would create devastating wound channels while also being able to defeat body armor. The high velocities of the cartridge aid in enhancing the terminal ballistics of the round while also allowing for adequate levels of penetration.
The cartridge is most well-known for its use in the iconic H&K MP7, a firearm which has been appreciated and sought-after by many shooters. While the cartridge is most commonly associated with the MP7, the 4.6x30mm was actually developed for use with a semi-automatic handgun. H&K was developing the Universal Combat Pistol, or UCP, a project which was ultimately scrapped. Development of the pistol and cartridge as a whole was done in response to FN’s similar 5.7x28mm cartridge. The two cartridges competed for NATO standardization and favor, with the 5.7x28mm being favored by many countries. Despite this, the 4.6x30mm has seen a wide range of use since 2001 in the MP7 by many military and law enforcement entities across the globe.
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What is 5.7x28mm?
The 5.7x28mm cartridge is the product of FN Herstal’s response to a NATO request to replace the 9mm Luger. Notably, the cartridge’s design was driven by a desire to achieve high levels of penetration and be more effective against armor than the established 9mm. While new cartridges are typically derived from an existing cartridge, the 5.7x28mm was designed from scratch from the ground up by FN Herstal. Development of the cartridge began in the 1980’s with the 5.7x28mm making its debut in 1990 in the form of the SS90 round. This initial loading was eventually replaced with the SS190 cartridge in 1993. Further development of the cartridge followed the SS190 and led to the development of other specialized loadings. The FN P90 personal defense weapon (PDW) and Five-seveN handgun were also developed alongside the cartridge. These designs, and the cartridge by extension, are employed by over 40 nations in military and law enforcement use. Notably, the 5.7x28mm is utilized by the U.S. Secret Service.
The cartridge is of the bottlenecked variety and will typically feature a lightweight projectile. When compared to the 9mm Luger it was intended to replace, the 5.7x28mm features roughly 30% less recoil. The high velocity of the round also aids in ensuring that a flat trajectory is achieved and aids in achieving desirable levels of penetration. Additionally, these high velocities aid in making the cartrige more effective against armor. The 5.7x28mm features a very controllable recoil impulse that is paired with a loud report and substantial muzzle flash when fired from a handgun or short barrel. While longer than typical handgun calibers, the 5.7x28mm is slim and has a relatively efficient form factor. This means that magazines for the caliber will often have a considerable ammunition capacity.
NATO Trial, Testing, and Use
These two cartridges and other notably competed against each other in a series of tests and trials stemming from NATO’s D296 request in 1990. This request essentially outlined the desire for a cartridge and personal defense weapon system which would begin to phase out the 9mm NATO cartridge. The current 9mm cartridge, especially in handguns, had proven ineffective at penetrating and defeating armor of the era, spurring the organization’s desire for a more potent cartridge.
The 4.6x30mm, 5.7x28mm, and other new cartridges such as the .224 BOZ were pitted against each other in a series of tests from 1999 to 2003. By 2002, just the 4.6x30mm and 5.7x28mm remained as the most promising candidates. The cartridges were tested on various criteria such as effectiveness against armor, hit probability, internal ballistics, and penetration. Additional factors included considerations of ammunition cost, barrel wear, ammunition manufacturing, and firearm support. The trials and tests ultimately did not result in the adoption of one cartridge over the other. Despite the better performance of the 5.7x28mm across the board, the round was not adopted for NATO standardization.
After NATO recommended the cartridge for standardization, the German delegation at the time rejected this conclusion and effectively halted the process. This is important as NATO standardization requires a general consensus on matters of this type. In the wake of this, both the 4.6x30mm and 5.7x28mm were utilized by a number of military and law enforcement agencies across the globe. Notably, the MP7 has seen use with special forces units such as DEVGRU while the P90 has been utilized by the U.S. Secret Service. Eventually, both cartridges would see individual STANAG standardization in the form of STANAG 4509 (5.7x28mm) and STANAG 4820 (4.6x30mm). Since their introduction, both cartridges have proven to be capable and viable cartridges for the use cases of many professional and private end users.
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How Available is 4.6×30 Ammo?
At this point in time, 4.6×30 ammunition is not nearly as plentiful as loadings are for its 5.7x28mm counterpart. This is to say that it is harder to find ammunition of this type and fewer commercial loadings are available. Currently, companies such as Sellier & Bellot and Fiocchi are among the producers of 4.6×30 ammo. These offerings are typically available in the form of full metal jacket (FMJ), jacketed soft point (JSP), and polymer tip V-MAX loadings. Presently, ammunition offerings for 4.6x30mm are suitable for uses such as target shooting and self-defense.
Currently, 4.6x30mm ammunition is not going to be nearly as available as 5.7x28mm ammunition or more conventional calibers. This is to say that one will have an easier time finding ammunition for calibers like 5.56 and .45 ACP than they will for 4.6x30mm. Scarcity of ammunition and limited offerings makes the idea of bulk ammunition more appealing. If you are a dedicated 4.6x30mm user, bulk ammo will allow you to stock up and build up an effective ammo supply. Those who elect to buy bulk 4.6x30mm ammo will be preparing themselves for multiple range sessions down the line. Additionally, one may want to elect to shop for ammo online to expand their potential ammo offerings. Doing so allows an end user to access a wider variety of ammunition than what is on local shelves. This practice allows access to obscure and rare calibers such as 4.6x30mm.
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How Available is 5.7x28mm Ammo?
Presently, it is easier to find 5.7x28mm ammo than it is to find 4.6x30mm ammunition. The cartridge sees a greater degree of support and has been commercially available for longer. Additionally, the cartridge has been supported by a wide range of companies throughout the years. Companies such as FNH-USA, Fiocchi, Speer, Federal, and Hornady have produced 5.7x28mm ammunition in various loadings. 5.7x28mm ammo offerings are commonly available in the form of FMJ, JSP, V-MAX, Hornady FTX, and copper, lead-free loadings. 5.7x28mm ammunition offerings are suitable for various purposes such as self-defense, target shooting, and suppressed shooting.
While not as common as more conventional calibers such as 9mm or .223 Rem, 5.7x28mm ammunition can certainly be found if you are after it. The amount of support behind the cartridge, from both ammunition and firearm manufacturers, makes it easy to find at many places where ammo is sold. Like most calibers, one can buy 5.7x28mm ammo in either bulk or individual form. If one elects to buy 5.7x28mm ammunition, they will certainly have plenty of stock to fill spacious Five-seveN and P90 magazines. Additionally, bulk ammo allows for shooters to stock up and withstand things such as scarcity of ammunition and price increases. Of course, one can elect to buy 5.7x28mm ammo online if they are after a specific loading. This allows an end user to focus in on a specific brand or type of loading to stock up on which may not be available locally.
How Available are Firearms Chambered in 4.6×30?
At this point in time, there are few options in the way of 4.6x30mm chambered firearms. While the number of commercial firearms in the cartridge is growing, the cartridge is still mainly used by professional end users in H&K MP7s. One will encounter firearms of various types, calibers, gauges, and styles to be more common than firearms chambered in 4.6x30mm. Currently, two of the largest forms of support for the cartridge come from CMMG and Tommy Built Tactical. CMMG offers their Banshee Mk4 in the caliber and Tommy Built Tactical offers a civilian version of the MP7. At this point in time, while offerings are sparse, one can find a firearm chambered in 4.6x30mm if they truly want to.
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How Available are Firearms Chambered in 5.7x28mm?
Currently, there is a growing number of 5.7x28mm chambered firearms on the market. Initially, firearm support for the cartridge was limited to the commercial offerings from FN. As time progressed, more offerings became available as other firearm manufacturers began to support the cartridge. Companies such as Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Palmetto State Armory, Excel Arms, and Rock Island Armory are among non-FN manufacturers who support the cartridge. Both pistols and long guns can be found in the 5.7x28mm chambering. At the end of the day, one will not have an issue finding something chambered in 5.7x28mm if they truly want to get something in the caliber.
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Conclusion
All in all, both the 4.6x30mm and 5.7x28mm cartridges are viable intermediate cartridges which are popular with a variety of end users. Everyone from civilian shooters to professional end users in various roles utilize these cartridges for many purposes. While the 5.7x28mm enjoys a higher degree of commercial success than the 4.6x30mm does, the latter is not unviable by any means. Previously, the market for the 5.7x28mm cartridge was where the 4.6x30mm market is today – look at it now. Cartridges sometimes take time to establish a foothold and receive wider support from the industry. We here at True Shot Ammo carry both 4.6x30mm ammunition and 5.7x28mm ammo in our wide variety of ammunition for sale. Whether you are wanting to purchase 4.6x30mm ammunition or wish to buy 5.7x28mm ammo, we have you covered. Additionally, if you want to buy bulk ammo quantities of either caliber, we also stock options for each cartridge. As always, happy shooting.
