10mm ammo uses?

[theboyscout]

I'm trying to learn as much as possible about 10mm. After learning about the ballistics of the ammo (volosity and foot lbs) I would like to learn about the best ammo weight for personal protection (bears, wolf, people, etc). Does the weight of the head of ammo make a difference in your carry?

 

[paulsj]

I would pick 180GR load with xtp bullets. It is loaded by Hornady (maker of said bullet), Buffalo Bore, HPR and Underwood. SIG ammo shows good ballistics on box but I have zero experience with it.

 

[bangswitch]

I've shot mostly 155, 180, and 200 grain loads in my G20. Any of them would make a good SD round, but I've come to like the 155 grain best. I load it to around 1450 fps, and get less felt recoil than heavier bullets loaded to slower velocity. It's simplified things for me, reloading-wise; I also have a .40S&W, and use the same 155 XTP Hornady bullet

 

[CDW4ME]

I'm trying to learn as much as possible about 10mm. After learning about the ballistics of the ammo (volosity and foot lbs) I would like to learn about the best ammo weight for personal protection (bears, wolf, people, etc). Does the weight of the head of ammo make a difference in your carry?

Bullet weight can influence penetration, as can design.
The "best" bullet for SD against people may not be 1st pick for a bear.
For people, look for a bullet that expands and penetrates 12-18'' of gel after "heavy clothing" (Regardless of caliber)
In 10mm Hornady Critical Duty 175 gr. performs well, 13'' penetration expanding to .69


In before anyone makes generic comment about 10mm over penetrating, not true as seen above.
In before generic comment about 10mm being too powerful for SD, not true some loads have recoil on par with 45 acp.
In before generic comment about 10mm either being watered down 40 or too hot for SD, as if nothing reasonable (in-between) exists.

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

Bullet weight can influence penetration, as can design.
The "best" bullet for SD against people may not be 1st pick for a bear.
For people, look for a bullet that expands and penetrates 12-18'' of gel after "heavy clothing" (Regardless of caliber)
In 10mm Hornady Critical Duty 175 gr. performs well, 13'' penetration expanding to .69


In before anyone makes generic comment about 10mm over penetrating, not true as seen above.
In before generic comment about 10mm being too powerful for SD, not true some loads have recoil on par with 45 acp.
In before generic comment about 10mm either being watered down 40 or too hot for SD, as if nothing reasonable (in-between) exists.

^^^^that and add that a good cast bullet for brown bear defense. Just switching ammo for the intended purpose. Black bear would be fine with a 180gr HP.

 

[Acera]

In before generic comment about 10mm either being watered down 40 or too hot for SD,

Don't you mean the .40 is a watered down 10mm......................................

 

[DownInTheDark]

I roll my own: 180 gr XTPs going about 1300 fps; and yes there are moose and grizzly bears here. I'm sure there are some internet ballistic experts that will tell me I should be carrying something else.

They also make a 200 gr XTP, and there are some 220gr hard cast bullets if one would want something heavier.

 

[CDW4ME]

I roll my own: 180 gr XTPs going about 1300 fps; and yes there are moose and grizzly bears here. I'm sure there are some internet ballistic experts that will tell me I should be carrying something else.

They also make a 200 gr XTP, and there are some 220gr hard cast bullets if one would want something heavier.

You may be interested in this test, factory 180 gr. XTP @ 1,155 fps penetrated over 17'' / .65 expansion after 4 layer denim.


I've hand loaded loaded the 155 gr. XTP to approximate factory velocity.
Hornady 155 XTP @ 1,335 fps / 614# KE / PF 207
Handload 155 XTP @ 1,366 fps / 642# KE (Loaded with Blue Dot powder, not my first choice for SD)

Hand loaded 180 Gold Dot yesterday, ran Critical Duty over the chrono too.
Glock 20 SF
Hornady 175 gr. Critical Duty 1,158 fps / 521# KE / PF 203
Handload 180 gr. Gold Dot @ 1,146 fps / 525# KE / PF 206
I'm satisfied with Critical Duty or my Gold Dot hand load for SD against human attacker.

Calculated recoil (PF) is slightly less ^ than with "hot" 230 gr. Ranger T from my Glock 21, but the 10mm loads have 15% more KE
Winchester Ranger T 230 gr. @ 931 fps / 443# KE / PF 214
HST generates "typical" 45 velocity Federal HST 230 gr. @ 863 fps / 380# KE / PF 198
The "non-nuclear" 10mm loads generate about 27% more KE (with a comparable recoil) than a typical 45 acp 230.
Somewhat like 357 Sig vs 40 S&W, sacrifice a bit of bullet diameter & weight in exchange for about 20% greater KE but similar recoil.