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
Introduced by Heckler & Koch
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 4.6x30mm HK.
Performance
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
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
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
1 model 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 →