10mm vs. .357 mag ballistic gelatin test

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chopinbloc

chopinbloc

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.357 mag Prograde 180 gr XTP fired from 4" barrel S&W Model 13 through four layers of denim into calibrated gelatin.

BB: 600.4 fps, 3.7"

Impact velocity: 1,078 fps
Penetration: 22.4"
Retained weight: 179.5 gr

No expansion.





10mm Hornady Custom 180 gr XTP fired from 4.5" barrel EAA Witness through four layers of denim into calibrated gelatin.

BB: 600.4 fps, 3.7"

Impact velocity: 1,261 fps
Penetration: 15.9"
Retained weight: 176.8 gr
Max expansion: 0.761"
Min expansion: 0.583"

Sorry, but I experienced an operator induced malfunction on one camera and missed the side shot of the gelatin.




Okay, in all seriousness, that really isn't a fair comparison. Sure it's the same bullet weight and sure it's almost the same barrel length but we don't measure revolvers the way we do autos. It's also a VERY heavy weight for .357, while it's middle of the road for 10mm. The .357 load was probably intended for use in a much longer barrel. I intended to also test it in my wife's .357 Rossi M92 but I only had two rounds and the first exited the side of the block.

Bonus happy fun time:





.50 AE Deagle wit da beamz
Lever action carbines
37mm gas gun
 
the velocity range on the .357" 180gn xtps is 900 - 1700 fps. probably why it didn't expand.

murf

p.s. the 10mm bullet range is 750 - 1450
 
Last edited:
The velocity they list may be for bare gelatin. I also got a failure from 10mm 200 gr XTP at 1,140 fps when fired through heavy clothing. Same load did just fine in bare gel.
 
hornady has been publishing velocity ranges for their xtp bullets since the product came out in the early 90s. pre-internet, they included the ranges on a small piece of paper included in every box of bullets.

i don't think hornady was thinking ballistic gel back then. i think those velocity ranges were for Extreme Terminal Performance on thin-skinned game. i don't think those ranges have changed much in the last twenty, or so, years.

murf
 
Thanks for doing the test. That 180gr XTP seemed to do alright in 10mm. Makes me feel better about the two types of ammunition I currently have that use it.

It certainly seems to be the hollow point of choice for a number of 10mm loadings.
 
I guess it was fun to do, but IMO, the only practical difference between the two cartridges is the platforms. Save for a handful of oddballs, when one chooses between .357 mag and 10mm, they are really deciding autoloader or revolver. Because ballistically, they are equals.
 
I would think the 180g Remington SJHP 357 would have offered a better comparison

180g xtp's in this caliber are essentially carbine bullets
 
MachIVShooter, The case capacity is slightly higher for the .357 but in practical terms, case capacity is higher for the 10mm for heavier bullets because the heavier bullet doesn't protrude into the 10mm case as far. More significantly, the .357 had higher sectional density.
 
Good job! But yeah 180 grain is pretty hefty for a .357 magnum. I'd love to see the best defensive loads for the respective calibers tested against each other. Something like the vaunted 125 grain SJHP Federal 357B load against the new hot 135 grain JHP loads from Underwood, Double Tap, Buffalo bore etc. etc.
 
thx for another great post, chopinblock. nice to have a non-biased gel test to view and comment on.

i love the 180 grain bullet in my blackhawks (4.625" bbls.). lots of momentum and accuracy without the wristbreaking recoil of the 40s. the xtp bullet, or a lead swc works real well in that gun.

murf
 
That's a REAL tame .357 load. From my 6.5" Blackhawk, I get 1400 fps/785 ft lbs from my 180 XTP load. This load was worked up pre-1992 before the SAAMI neutered .357 pressures to preserve the new J frame magnums. But, it mimics very closely the Buffalo Bore loads in 180 grains. I got around 1300 fps from this load in a 2" SP101.

You should try Buffalo Bore. :D I'm not sure they have a 180 JHP, though. Think their 180 is a SWC, good stuff for hunting. The 180 grain stuff was never intended for self defense in .357 magnum handguns. I carry a hot 140, myself, gives me 1333 fps/552 ft lbs from a 2" barrel.
 
Thanks for the information and I agree, it's not a fair test.

First, I agree a 180gr bullet is heavy for caliber in the .357 Magnum.
But second, the 10mm was designed to mimic the .41 Magnum, not the .357 Magnum.

I would love to see competing numbers from your 10mm vs a .41 Magnum... (is that possible?)
 
Good job! But yeah 180 grain is pretty hefty for a .357 magnum. I'd love to see the best defensive loads for the respective calibers tested against each other. Something like the vaunted 125 grain SJHP Federal 357B load against the new hot 135 grain JHP loads from Underwood, Double Tap, Buffalo bore etc. etc.
Click to expand...

Take a look at my channel. There are a LOT of 10mm tests and a few .357 mag. 135 gr projectiles are too light for 10mm and none of them penetrate adequately. Remember that 10mm has lower sectional density. A fair comparison might be 10mm 165 gr Gold Dot vs. .357 mag 125 gr Gold Dot or 10mm 180 gr XTP vs. .357 mag 158 gr XTP.
 
But second, the 10mm was designed to mimic the .41 Magnum, not the .357 Magnum.
Click to expand...

The .41 and 10mm have very little in common. The 10mm and .357 mag are analogous in bullet weight and velocity, and therefore in energy. The only substantial difference between the two is sectional density.
 
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