4.6x30mm v 5.7x28mm Ammunition

[EagleEyes]

Here are a few small calibre rounds I have in my collection.

Round 1
Case: Brass
Calibre: 5.56x45mm .223
Headstamp: HP 80 II
Manufacturer: Hirtenberger Austria
Year: Q2 1980
Weapon: M16, SA80

Round 2
Case: Steel
Calibre: 5.45x39mm
Headstamp: 270 88
Manufacturer: Lugansk Ammo Factory, Ukraine
Year: 1988
Weapon: Russian AK 74 Series

Round 3
Case: Brass
Calibre: 5.7x28mm
Headstamp: FNB 90 5.7x28
Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale Herstal, Belgium
Year: 1990
Weapon: PDW (Personal Defence Weapons), FN 5-7N pistol, FN's P90 SMG

Round 4
Case: Brass
Calibre: 4.6x30mm
Headstamp: RG 05 4.6x30
Manufacturer: Radway Green, UK
Year: 2005
Weapon: H&K MP7 (Heckler & Koch)


Round 5
Calibre: .17 HMR

Round 6
Calibre: .22 LR

Who manufactures Round 1, can anybody identify Round 2? What do we know about Round 3 & 4 which I think are the most interesting and what are RG producing 4.6x30mm ammunition for? Can anybody tell me the history of these rounds? Rounds 5 & 6 are only there to show size differences.

What is the best online headstamp guide?

 

[MT-LB]

No 1 is a 5,56x45 or .223 made by Hirtenberger Austria ( HP ) in the second Quarter 1980.
No 2 is a 5,45x39 Russian used in the AK 74 series weapons and 270 is the factory code for Lugansk Ammo Factory in Lugansk - now Ukraine 88 is the year.
Erik

 

[smle2009]

No 3 is by Fabrique Nationale Herstal,Belgium
Tony

 

[smle2009]

5.7x28 FN

developed in 1986,intended for a sub machine gun type personal defence weapon,code named 'project 9.0' early bullets were known as SS90,nad metal jackets and plastic cores,in 1994 a SS190AP bullet was developed to aid penetration,several other bullets were later developed;L191 tracer,SB193 subsonic and the SS192 practice,this ammo is now used in the FN 5-7N pistol & in FN's P90 sub machine gun
Cheers
Tony

 

[TonyE]

RG etc.

To answer a couple of your questions.

SMLE (Tony) has already given a fairly good description of the FN 5.7mm. This and the 4.6mm are both for what are called Personal Defence Weapons, and are designed to replace the 9mm in both pistol and submachine gun roles. The theory is that it will be more effective and easier to use that a pistol or SMG.The main criteria is that it should be capable of penetrating body armour at reasonable ranges, something the 9mm cannot do.

Having said that, they have not be taken up with any great enthusiasm by any major army. I believe the Saudis have bought some P90s but it has not been successful to date. Tony Williams is far better qualified to give you an update on this than I am.

Why are RG making the 4.6mm? It dates back to when both Radway Green and Heckler & Koch were co-owned. The ammunition was developed by RG and the MP7 that fired it by H & K.

Currently the MP7 is used by the MoD Police in the UK and a number of other police forces have it on trial. The logic is that it will be more capable than the 9mm in the MP5 if confronted by terrorists in body armour.

RG make a range of loads for the 4.6mm, including solid copper, spoon tip (two different types) as well as conventional bullets.

Attached is an RG made drill round as an example.

Regards
TonyE