Best JHP bullet for a hot 10mm loading?

[hariph creek]

I carry WSTHP's (175gr) for SD.
No, not the latest-greatest. But, they are a "known quantity." Probably have more of a track record "on the street" than any 10mm SD load? They allow for rapid, accurate follow-up shots, too.
Mainly though... I like to buy my SD ammo local, off the shelf. Something that is regularly stocked and replishable.
It was these or XTP's. I got the WSTHP's for a really, really good price. Also important, since I want a minimum of 100 trouble free rounds of SD ammo, before I trust it in a gun.
I only use "tailor made" SD ammo.

Now i'm seeing Critical Defense around. They should work well, too. Reliable expansion, penetration and reasonable recoil.

XTP's would be my choice for a HUNTING HP. From my experience with them, and testing I've seen online. They overpenetrate too much for SD.
I lean towards my own loads for woods carry. 200gr hard cast FP at 1200fps.

If I had my way Speer would make a variety of 10mm specific GDHP's in various weights at true 10mm velocities. Otherwise, their .40 design GDHP's don't stand up to full house 10mm. However, I've seen test footage on the damage they do...it's impressive. Even if they do beak up some, they still get good penetration. (tnoutdoors 180gr 10mm GDHP/Underwood) This sure seems to be in the same league as the proven 125gr .357 mag HP's. I would totally run this if... I could avoid paying shipping and had the extra money, to invest in function testing plus stocking up.

I'd also give serious thought to the all copper Barnes HP's. They're loaded by various "boutiques."

I've never been impressed with Golden Saber. In any incarnation. Feel the same way about Hydra-Shocks.

 

[SDGlock23]

Hornady claims their 180gr XTP is good for up to 1600 fps, but I'm not sure about this. Even when loaded to 1300 fps from my Glock 35 they do shed lead, so I'm not so sure I'd want to go much faster. As a general rule of thumb I don't personally think any 180gr JHP benefits from exceeding 1200-1250 fps, generally penetration gets worse and bullet failure is much more likely. The 175gr Silvertip at those speeds will shed lead too but doesn't tend to mushroom quite the same as an XTP, although they look almost identical.

A 200gr XTP penetrates deep at about 1200-1250 fps too, which is what I load with my warm .40's. In general I would reach for the XTP for hollowpoint use, but second place would be Gold Dots. I think as long as you keep the 180gr version under 12-1250 it's okay. The shallower cavity 165gr and 155gr versions will hold up to a little more velocity. I've run the 165gr Gold Dot near 1500 fps from my Glock 24 .40 S&W and I find that's a touch too much, but 1400 fps did fairly well and is still plenty fast.

 

[osteodoc08]

Gold Dot or XTP.