10mm vs .44special
- Thread starter jgo296
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XLMiguel
Member
All other things being equal (i.e. placement, bullet type, bullet weight, barrel length, etc.), and without looking up muzzle energy, I'd bet on the 10mm.
But 'all other things' are rarely equal. Apples to pomegranits (sp?).
But 'all other things' are rarely equal. Apples to pomegranits (sp?).
WHat is stopping power?
That is an endless debate. The 10mm carries far more kinetic energy if that's what you mean. The 10mm will over penetrate for most defensive purposes at that range. The 10mm will also be quite a handful to control.
The .44 special is a quite capable cartridge for defense work(choose a premium load) and a lot more managable in a self defense situation.
That is an endless debate. The 10mm carries far more kinetic energy if that's what you mean. The 10mm will over penetrate for most defensive purposes at that range. The 10mm will also be quite a handful to control.
The .44 special is a quite capable cartridge for defense work(choose a premium load) and a lot more managable in a self defense situation.
Acera
Member
5 or 6 rounds available in the .44, more than twice that in most 10mms.
ashtxsniper
Member
10mm without any questions. 44 special is .42 whereas a 10mm is a .40 so diameter doesnt even come into play.
Are you sure you don't mean 44 Magnum? The special is a really weak round and isn't even close to being in the same league as the 10mm.
And before anyone says it, "NO! I won't stand down range and let you take shot's at me just because I think it's a weak round".
If you indeed are asking about the 44 Mag and not the Spl then the 44 Mag wins hands down. If you're asking about the Spl - all other things being equal - then 10mm hands down.
And before anyone says it, "NO! I won't stand down range and let you take shot's at me just because I think it's a weak round".
If you indeed are asking about the 44 Mag and not the Spl then the 44 Mag wins hands down. If you're asking about the Spl - all other things being equal - then 10mm hands down.
Northalius
Member
I'd pick the 10mm, if it's from DoubleTap. 
You get 16 of these bad boys at equal or superior-to-.357 Magnum velocities and ft-lbs. force, in the Glock 20!
That, my friends, is good firepower in a pistol!
You get 16 of these bad boys at equal or superior-to-.357 Magnum velocities and ft-lbs. force, in the Glock 20!
That, my friends, is good firepower in a pistol!
Skofnung
Member
It nips at the heels of the .45 ACP, so I wouldn't consider it weak as pistol rounds go, but I agree that it is not in the same class as full house 10mm.
As I understand it per my remembrances of Col. Cooper's writing, the 10mm was developed to extend the practical range of the pistol.
For a defensive weapon, I'd go with the 10mm, but for a "fun" gun that could be pressed into service, I'd choose the .44 Special without a second thought.
rockstar.esq
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The .44 special doesn't just "nip" the heels of the .45ACP, it outright exceeds it in some loadings. In point of fact, a 2" snubbie firing .250 grain.44spl Thunder Ranch loads has slightly higher velocity than the 230 grain .45ACP hardball loads out of a 4" semi-auto pistol. In terms of kinetic energy they are in a dead heat. Should a comparison be made with identical barrel lengths, the .44 special would likely have the edge.
As for the 10mm, it's hotter than the .40s&w but it's not mythical. The .357 mag is still faster than the 10mm. The 10mm was supposed to bridge the gap betwixt the .45ACP and the 9mm and it ended up exceeding both. The most parallel cartridge to the 10mm is the .41 magnum.
As for the 10mm, it's hotter than the .40s&w but it's not mythical. The .357 mag is still faster than the 10mm. The 10mm was supposed to bridge the gap betwixt the .45ACP and the 9mm and it ended up exceeding both. The most parallel cartridge to the 10mm is the .41 magnum.
Gator
Member
Obviously not a Keith reader!
Skofnung
Member
rockstar.esq, I agree, with handloads or uncommon loadings that is very true, but I was referring to typical off the shelf Special loads as compared to off the shelf ACP fodder.
I'm a firm believer in the .44 Special. In fact, my own mother has relied on a .44 Special as a HD gun for longer than I've been alive.
I'm a firm believer in the .44 Special. In fact, my own mother has relied on a .44 Special as a HD gun for longer than I've been alive.
MCgunner
Member
10mm has it all over .44 Special with a proper bullet for self defense. It's also a better field/hunting caliber. That should tip ya off if nothing else. Does not mean that .44 Special can't do the job, however. 10mm had MORE than enough.
MarcusWendt
Member
Weapon capacity?
In 10mm weapons 15+1 is the typical max without extending the magazine. This is for dbl stack mags, like Glock, Witness, 2011. As you move to compact or single stack it goes down. Even in 'small' guns (dbl stack) you usually see 10+1.
If the standard 10mm loads are to 'hot' for plinking, download them. you should be able to duplicate 44 special ballistics with a load straight from the manuals with Univeral and 180 gr and 200 gr bullets.
Gator
Member
I get the feeling that not many handloaders have posted in this thread. Factory .44 Spl ammo is generally loaded down because of all the old guns out there, it is the same situation as with the .45-70. You can get higher performance cartridges from companies like Cor-Bon, Buffalo, etc., or you can reload. And reloading the .44 Spl is a whole different ball game! 250 grs @ 1200 fps was Elmer's favorite load; that might be a bit much for home defense, but great for hunting. Can the 10mm compete with that?
http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=4
Disclaimer: Keith's loads should be approached cautiously, they are not for the casual reloader.
http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=4
Disclaimer: Keith's loads should be approached cautiously, they are not for the casual reloader.
That may be but at that weight and speed it just ain't a .44 Special anymore. That's pushin' 44 Mag territory.
And I do handload. Everything I've seen pretty much puts .44 Spl at velocities below 1050 FPS with most being in the high 700's to 900 or so. Comparable to .45ACP as another pointed out.
Gator
Member
Exactly!
The .44 Spl is a very versatile cartridge.The .44 special is an extremely versatile cartridge, as noted, which can be loaded to compete with, and arguably exceed what most folks rave about in cartridges like the .357 magnum and the 10mm. The heavier bullets have a bit going for them, as it turns out.
Harley Quinn
Member
Friend of mine carries the 44 spl because it is what he has and likes it. Has been around a long time. Many don't care for the 10mm and at 7yds both will do the job just fine.
71Commander
Member
Some of us only get 6. I'm shooting 220 FP W/ 5.4 Unique.
I'm shooting 220 FP W/ 5.4 Unique.
ashtxsniper
Member
A hand loader can push the 44 special to the extreme and get 800 t lbs of energy. I have hand loaded 10mm that exceeded 950 ft lbs of energy. The 10mm will outperform the 44 special any day. I have also pushed the 357 mag to the 900 ft lb of energy level.
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