Lindcott Armory Pistol · Proprietary
4.6x30mm HK
Personal Defense Weapon cartridge designed to defeat body armor.
- Caliber
- 0.1831″ · 4.65 mm
- Introduced
- 1999
- Case
- Rimless
- Primary use
- Military, Self Defense
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1999
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- Germany
- Inventor
- Heckler & Koch
- Manufacturer
- Heckler & Koch
- Standard
- Proprietary
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Limited
- Case capacity
- 9 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:6.3
- Primer
- Small Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 58,015 psi
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Max range
- 1500 yd
- Recoil
- 0.3–0.8 ft·lb
Ballistics
- By real loads
- 2,034–2,461 fps · 19 loads
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open 4.6x30mm HK ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 4.65 | 0.183 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 5.31 | 0.209 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 7.75 | 0.305 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 22.1° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 8.02 | 0.316 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 8.00 | 0.315 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.10 | 0.043 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 4.47 | 0.176 | ≈ |
| Case length | 30.50 | 1.201 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 38.50 | 1.516 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 4.6x30mm HK is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 19 active loads across 14 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 19 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAMMO | FMJ 40gr | 40 | FMJ | 2,461 | 538 | — |
| DAG | FMJ 40gr | 40 | FMJ | 2,461 | 538 | — |
| Heckler & Koch | Action HP 40gr | 40 | HP | 2,461 | 538 | — |
| RUAG Ammotec | FMJ 40gr | 40 | FMJ | 2,461 | 538 | — |
| IMI/Samson | FMJ 40gr | 40 | FMJ | 2,461 | 538 | — |
| Heckler & Koch | FMJ 40gr | 40 | FMJ | 2,461 | 538 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | FMJ 40gr | 40 | FMJ | 2,461 | 538 | — |
| CBC | FMJ 40gr | 40 | FMJ | 2,461 | 538 | — |
| Heckler & Koch | Action Effect | 40 | JHP | 2,379 | 503 | — |
| Heckler & Koch | Standard | 40 | FMJ | 2,379 | 503 | — |
| Doubletap | DT Defense | 40 | FMJ | 2,362 | 495 | — |
| HSM Ammunition | Self Defense | 40 | FMJ | 2,362 | 495 | — |
| Buffalo Bore | Heavy | 40 | FMJ | 2,362 | 495 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | FMJ Training | 40 | FMJ | 2,362 | 495 | — |
| Cor-Bon | DPX | 40 | FMJ | 2,362 | 495 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 4.6x30mm HK
2 models in the database chamber 4.6x30mm HK. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Developed by Heckler & Koch in 1990s for NATO PDW trials. Designed to replace 9mm for vehicle crews, pilots, and rear-echelon troops who needed better armor penetration. Lost NATO competition to 5.7x28mm but still adopted by German military and various special forces. Proprietary to HK, limiting civilian adoption.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 4.6x30mm HK use?
- 4.6x30mm HK typically uses a 1:6.3 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 4.6x30mm HK?
- 4.6x30mm HK uses a 0.1831″ (4.65 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 4.6x30mm HK still in production?
- 4.6x30mm HK is active; typical availability is limited.
- What is 4.6x30mm HK used for?
- 4.6x30mm HK is primarily used for military, self defense.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 19 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →