I'm confused .40 or 10mm

[mljdeckard]

If you are willing to either handload or scrounge for full-powered loads, 10mm is the clear advantage. If you are just buying what's on the shelf, 10mm is the same as a .40.

I am considering getting a long-slide 10mm for woods/hunting carry, but I will use premium hunting loads for it.

 

[rcmodel]

loading the .40 bullets for 10mm might cause expansion problems in hollow points. Anyone know about this?

Not really that great a differance in velocity to effect bullet performance.

Lyman #49 manual - fastest Max loads by bullet weight.
.40 S&W / 10mm.
135 JHP 1,225 / 1,397 = 172 differance
150 JHP 1,140 / 1,301 = 161 diff
155 Silver-tip / 1,089 / 1,343 = 254 diff
175 Silver-Tip - 1,044 / 1,212 = 162 diff
180 JHP - 1,049 / 1,225 = 176 diff
190 JFP - 967 / 1,189 = 222 diff

You can see that much velocity change with different barrel lengths in other calibers.

rc

 

[Paints]

Let's not forget that the EAA Witness, at least in its basic form (the standard Wonder Finish with the new style rounded top slide) it is not a "true" 10mm handgun...it can only take the "FBI lite" loads (the vast majority of commercial 10mm ammo in the market)

I wasn't aware of that, thanks for correcting me.

Ken

 

[saturno_v]

I wasn't aware of that, thanks for correcting me.

No p.

More than one person (me included) thought that we found the perfect wood carry with the Witness 10mm until slides started cracking.

I heard that the older "squared top" slides (still used in the Match model) are stronger and with stiffer recoil springs can take the beating of the full power 10mm.

However, given my nightmare experience with EAA customer service...how they say "once bitten twice shy" and I bought a beautiful S&W 1006 used.

 

[IdahoLT1]

The only problem I've heard regarding the velocity of pistol bullets is about plated bullets. From what I've heard, its not recommend to load plated bullets past 1200fps. I'm not exactly sure of the reasoning so any additional info on this is appreciated.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The .40 S&W in its first loadings, with a .40-caliber, 180-grain bullet at ~950 fps, is nearly identical ballistically to the 1874 .38-40 WCF.

 

[rcmodel]

its not recommend to load plated bullets past 1200fps. I'm not exactly sure of the reasoning so any additional info on this is appreciated.

It's because the plated jacket is very thin compared to a real bullet jacket.

Excess velocity can exceed the thin platings ability to hold in the rifling.

If it strips off, severe leading will result because you are then shooting un-lubricated soft lead slugs..

rc

 

[Jed Carter]

Surplus Nut,
It appears your thread has been hijacked to which is better .40 or 10mm. When your real question is which SIG pistol to get to shoot both the .40S&W and .357SIG. The answer is simple IMO, the SIG P226 in .40S&W with a drop in .357SIG barrel. I shoot 17 hand guns including 4 SIGs and a 556 rifle among others. If I could only own ONE it would be the P226 period, just my 2 cents. I almost forgot... Welcome to The High Road!

 

[MachIVshooter]

I've mostly seen .400 caliber bullets sold for .40 and 10mm. I would think given the velocity difference between the two rounds, loading the .40 bullets for 10mm might cause expansion problems in hollow points. Anyone know about this?

135's are too light for full power 10mm. They're cook at over 1,600 FPS and blow up on impact. It's like running 90 grain .380 bullets in a .38 Super. 150's are marginal. 180-200 is optimal for 10mm.

 

[rcmodel]

They're cook at over 1,600 FPS

Not at SAAMI pressure they won't.
1,400 might be a more attainable velocity in a real pistol.

rc

 

[saturno_v]

Not at SAAMI pressure they won't.
1,400 might be a more attainable velocity in a real pistol.

Double Tap 135 gr. Nosler JHP SAAMI compliant

1600 fps 767 ft/lb out of a Glock 20

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_25&products_id=45

 

[MachIVshooter]

1,400 might be a more attainable velocity in a real pistol.

1,400 is 180 grain/5" velocity. 1,406 to be exact, in my S&W 1006. Same load, 1,343 from my 3.5" Witness compact. That's 10.8 grs. IMR 800x and CCI 350 primers

 

[thub]

If you reload a 10 mm is the way to go. I have a Glock 20 and it is great. Much more potent than the .40 cal. If you reload it costs about two cents a shot more than the .40, which I have two Glocks that I also think are great, 23, and the 27 for conceal carry.

 

[gandog56]

Let's not forget that the EAA Witness, at least in its basic form (the standard Wonder Finish with the new style rounded top slide) it is not a "true" 10mm handgun...it can only take the "FBI lite" loads (the vast majority of commercial 10mm ammo in the market)

I don't know. I heard something somewhere about EAA's having their slides develop cracks on their 10mm's. I'll stick with my DW Razorback.

 

[saturno_v]

I'll stick with my DW Razorback

And I stick with my S&W 1006

 

[surfinUSA]

I've found that my G20 works fine with both 10mm and with just a barrel change, the 40 S&W.

No need to change the recoil spring and 40 caliber mags won't work in a G20 as they are for a different size frame. But the G20 mags work just fine with 40s.

This barrel change comes in especially handy when you run out of 10mm at your local range. They probably won't have 10mm but its even rarer that they don't have 40s. Which as other posters have stated are far more readily available and substantially cheaper than the 10mm.

The G20 is a great woods or swamp gun and is really versatile because of its ability to change caliber with just a barrel. But its a large gun that really requires a good belt holster. Unless I'm actually hunting I usually carry my sub compact G27 in 40, however, I'm in Florida not the Rockies.

 

[TxBaaylea]

I love my Glock 20 which I shoot with full power loads comfortably however I have large and long fingered hands. In fact I added a Hogue overwrap to the grip to make it more secure. I frequently carry the 20 when I am out working on my tractor as we occasionally have feral pigs. I am thinking about a .40 S & W barrel for plinking

My wife has a Glock 19 which I find uncomfortable to shoot.

Vernon