10mm ammo choice, which would you pick.

CDW4ME

CDW4ME

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In this thread we pick between a couple of 10mm ammo choices for SD against human attacker.

Option one is a 150 JHP like this:
https://underwoodammo.com/10mm-auto-150-grain-jacketed-hollow-point/

Option two is a 180 JHP like one of these:
https://underwoodammo.com/10mm-auto-180-grain-jacketed-hollow-point/
https://underwoodammo.com/10mm-auto-180-grain-xtp-jacketed-hollow-point/

No bears.
Caveat: You are going to carry the ammo in FL so "winter" clothing is a sweatshirt or light jacket, very unlikely that attackers will be wearing heavy clothing.

In this thread the bullets are equally accurate, have been tested for function and will impact at the same spot on target, equal shot placement is assumed and implied.
So, we will please not reply with whichever is more accurate.
Nor are we going to reply with it doesn't matter, pick one - please.
We also have boxes and boxes of all the ammo so availability is a non-factor.

Which would you pick for carry and why?
 
My 180 xtp are hitting 1400 from my G20, so I'd be down grading some to use Underwood. But I'd go with 180's because they'd fare better if I have to shoot thru a barrier, like from cover behind a counter or door.
 
Hugger-4641 said:
My 180 xtp are hitting 1400 from my G20, so I'd be down grading some to use Underwood. But I'd go with 180's because they'd fare better if I have to shoot thru a barrier, like from cover behind a counter or door.
Click to expand...
1400? what load your using! that HOTT!
 
Firstly, I'd only consider the 150gr if it shot to POA at something like 25 yards. Unlikely. The benefit to the 150gr is the increased velocity, where the ballistic wave theory is concerned (let's not have that debate again though, please).

So I'd probably choose one of 180grs. I've seen how the XTP performs at velocities around 1200-1300fps in gel tests etc. I have not seen how the Nosler performs. I also load 180gr XTPs myself with BE-86 for around 1240fps. I think it's a solid choice in the 10mm.

But because the 10mm has got an abundance of horse power available, almost any well constructed bullet should get enough penetration and expansion to be effective. And should transfer enough energy to have a good chance of doing some of that other stuff that the Facklerites don't believe in.
 
My experience with 10mm is somewhat limited, but it seems that the heavier bullets are more accurate. I reload 180s for hunting purposes for that reason, and have experimented with heavier, but seems 180 is the sweet spot for a combination of accurate and high velocity. I would prefer to be in the 200 ballpark but velocity drops considerably when jumping up in mass.
 
I went through the same decision-making process and chose the 150, for three reasons. One, I was hoping for flatter trajectory if a 50+ yard shot became necessary. Two, I was hoping for less recoil. Three, I wanted to minimize overpenetration.

I still am experimenting, though. Flatter trajectory is arguably pointless for a defensive cartridge and the 150 grain recoil is still nasty in a subcompact, so I'm batting .333 at the moment.
 
Well, the no bears thing makes this kind of academic. I went through the 10mm thing maybe 20 years ago and now I go with 165 gr. shorty forties in pistols and 180 gr. .40 S&W in PCCs. To follow through for the OP I would go with 180s in 10mm pistols and heavier in PCCs.

.40 practice ammo is 3 for a buck or less!
 
Why the limit of 180? 200 grains from a 10mm is better! :D If you wanted to shoot 150's use a 40!

Within the limits of this thread, I'd go with the 180 grain options. I don't know that the JHP v.s. XTP JHP makes much of a difference.
 
The only bullets I know that hold up to 10mm velocity and don't over-expand are 200gr XTP's and Hornady Critical Duty 175gr. For personal defense you don't need the hottest of hot 10mm.
 
TTv2 said:
The only bullets I know that hold up to 10mm velocity and don't over-expand are 200gr XTP's and Hornady Critical Duty 175gr. For personal defense you don't need the hottest of hot 10mm.
Click to expand...

It isn't about NEED with 10mm... Besides, is over expansion a problem when you're not talking about shooting game? In SD I understand the goal is full energy dump with as large of a hole as possible.
 
21H40 said:
It isn't about NEED with 10mm... Besides, is over expansion a problem when you're not talking about shooting game? In SD I understand the goal is full energy dump with as large of a hole as possible.
Click to expand...
Yeah, well I don't want underpenetration and exploding bullets either. The reality is that most hollow points in 10mm are built for .40 velocities, push them too fast and you get inadequate penetration.
 
I found one test of the 150 gr. in clear gel, no denim. Skip to about 8 min in; it fragments kinda like a 125 gr. 357 Mag JHP might yet still penetrates past 12''
 
I know this answer is not what you want but I would not choose any you have listed. I do not use or buy self defense ammo. I use what I shoot the most and practice with which is FMJ semi-wadcutters. But if you twisted my arm I would go with 180gr HP.
 
TTv2 said:
Yeah, well I don't want underpenetration and exploding bullets either. The reality is that most hollow points in 10mm are built for .40 velocities, push them too fast and you get inadequate penetration.
Click to expand...

Which may or may not be true of the Noslers. But is not true of the Hornady XTPs. For the XTP, it's the opposite. It may not expand enough loaded as .40S&W.
 
I would choose 180gr or probably rather 200gr. I generally like to stay with "native" weight in various rounds. I can't remember what 10mm began with 180gr or 200gr, but I know it wasn't 150gr.
 
JTQ said:
I would choose 180gr or probably rather 200gr. I generally like to stay with "native" weight in various rounds. I can't remember what 10mm began with 180gr or 200gr, but I know it wasn't 150gr.
Click to expand...
The standard was a Norma 200 grain jhp @1200fps
 
I would go with what groups better with a good POI consistent with your other carry choices.
I like a 6 o'clock hold. I would prefer the load that delivers it.
Both loads would be good BIG MAN STOPPERS.
 
WisBorn said:
I would go with what groups better with a good POI consistent with your other carry choices.
I like a 6 o'clock hold. I would prefer the load that delivers it.
Both loads would be good BIG MAN STOPPERS.
Click to expand...

6 o'clock hold if like in this picture on left is a nope for me; I can live with either of the other two.
0a0c5547fd76d570de9ffaa4640afd58.jpg

That said, the slide of my 20SF is currently being cut for a dot; when I get it back and put a Holosun 507 on it bullets will hit where the dot is. :)
 
(The below issue is also a problem with iron sights, only they are typically not as adjustable)

When using an RDS, the main issue with bullet weight and velocity will be matching (or getting close) to POI with whatever range load you choose to use. If you roll your own, that's easy enough. With factory ammo 180gr is most common, probably at around 1100-1150fps (best guess on my part).

So a 150gr at 1500fps is going to leave the barrel much earlier, meaning the muzzle has less time to rise from the recoil, so POI may be much lower than with an average range load. You may still see a difference with 180s as you go from 1100fps to 1300fps, but it will be a much smaller difference.
 
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