About 4.6x30mm

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to cover 4.6x30mm today. This cartridge is well-known for its military usage and is popular among shooters, despite its small presence on the market. We are going to cover things such as traits, features, use cases, and other considerations today. Without further ado, let’s go over the 4.6x30mm cartridge.

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. 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 MP7 PDW, 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 PDW by many military and law enforcement entities across the globe.

The cartridge is a fairly recent addition to the civilian market. Support for the 4.6x30mm is not nearly on the same level as other contemporary calibers on the market. Even the 5.7x28mm, a previously niche cartridge, dwarfs the 4.6x30mm in terms of accessibility and availability. That being said, the low-recoiling and accurate intermediate cartridge is starting to see increasing support as time goes by. Recently, Tommy Built Tactical has released a clone of the iconic MP7, providing civilians with yet another offering in the way of a firearm in the caliber.

Unique Status as a PDW Cartridge

Like the well-known 5.7x28mm cartridge, the 4.6x30mm is optimized for use in PDW type firearms. PDWs, or personal defense weapons, are compact firearms optimized for self-defense, often boasting high magazine capacities. In the professional world, these types of firearms utilize multiple fire rates, much like submachine guns. In a departure from submachine guns, these types of firearms utilize intermediate type cartridges like the 4.6x30mm. These platforms essentially bridge the gap between subguns and rifles, providing users with high velocity, high penetration firepower in a compact package. These desirable traits are combined with soft and controllable recoil, allowing for fast and accurate follow-up shots.

How Available is 4.6x30mm Ammunition?

Ammunition offerings for 4.6x30mm are very limited when compared to more contemporary, mainstream calibers. This is to say that one will not find 4.6x30mm ammunition as easily as they will find offerings for 9mm Luger or .45 ACP. This is due to the fact that the cartridge is not nearly as supported as these more established calibers, both in terms of ammunition and firearms. That being said, companies such as Fiocchi, Sellier & Bellot, and Hornady are among the few manufacturers who produce 4.6x30mm ammunition. These offerings come in individual and bulk ammo quantities.

Finding 4.6x30mm ammo locally can be a daunting task. Generally speaking, not many local shops carry offerings in this caliber. Due to this fact, those looking for ammunition of this type may need to shop for ammo online. If one chooses to buy ammo online, one will no longer be limited by what is in stock at their local shop. Additionally, it would be beneficial for enthusiasts to buy bulk 4.6x30mm ammunition when they get the chance. If one elects to buy bulk ammo, they can ensure that they have ample stock of the round of their choosing, something especially important with more elusive rounds. All in all, one can find ammo of this type if they look hard enough.

How Available are Firearms Chambered in 4.6x30mm?

As mentioned above, there is not much support for the 4.6x30mm in the way of 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.

While rare and somewhat obscure, there are multiple companies now who are offering firearms chambered in the round. 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.

What is 4.6x30mm Used For?

The 4.6x30mm, though not common in the hands of many civilian shooters, is well-suited to many roles. Of course, like any caliber, the 4.6x30mm is great for plinking and training applications. Of course, the supply and availability of ammunition may complicate things for this use case. To best optimize one’s training and recreational shooting experience, one should buy bulk 4.6x30mm ammo to ensure sufficient stock of ammunition. Of course, the cartridge will excel in defensive applications, much like it was intended to from its inception.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the 4.6x30mm cartridge represents a niche but capable cartridge. Its viability in defensive applications and track record with the MP7 make it appeal to shooters of all types. We here at True Shot Ammo offer 4.6x30mm ammunition for sale in addition to the rest of our inventory. Whether you want to buy 4.6x30mm ammo or buy ammunition of another type that we stock, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.

Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at [email protected] for more ammo options.

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Tyler Elsberry

Tyler Elsberry is an author for True Shot Ammo, boasting over a decade of experience in the firearms industry. His extensive knowledge and hands-on expertise make him a valuable asset to the True Shot team. Tyler's deep understanding of firearms, coupled with his passion for the ammunition industry, allows him to provide insightful and practical guidance to enthusiasts and professionals alike. His writings often reflect his commitment to delivering accurate, up-to-date information on the latest trends, products, and advancements in the field. Tyler's ability to convey complex technical details in an accessible manner has earned him a loyal following among readers seeking reliable advice and information in the world of firearms and ammunition.