Powder and load for 10mm

[brutus51]

My interest here was to develop a self defense load for the woods.
See many factory offerings in the 1200 to 1300 fps. range and would like to find a powder that can safely generate those kinds of velocities.

So far mine have been in a Kimber target II:
180gr JHP over 11.0gr. AA#7 for just under 1200 fps.

180gr Hornady XTP JHP. 13.8gr. AA#9 FOR 1250fps.
10 shot 1 hole bench rested group at 30ft. Sure is a tack driver.

Note: This load is not a maximum in the Hornaday #5 manual but I now have other reference material indicating it is over max. So I've reduced this load to 13.5gr. AA#9 for 1200fps.

Probably going to continue carrying my Colt .45 in the woods but I'd like the option anyway as a 1911's a little more comfortable to carry all day.

 

[jgh4445]

I'm working up loads for my Delta Elite using the same loads as you. Trying the AA9 for the first time tomorrow. Currently I have a couple of boxes left of some Texas Ammunition Company 10mm which uses a 200 gr Hydro Shok at 1250 fps. I'm going to try and work up a 200 gr XTP load at that velocity. I think Longshot or 800X will do the trick without the fanfare of Blue Dot. I think 200 gr at 1250 would be a great woods load. A tack driving 180 gr load as you mentioned, going over 1200 is no slouch either. I'd sure stay with that one as long as you're not seeing pressure signs. What is you COL, brass and primer type?

 

[redbullitt]

I like 800x in the Glock 20. Ran up to about 1250 FPS with 200s, then backed off a touch. Rounds were seated as long as the mags would allow. Cases were lightly smiled upon firing. Keep in mind this was a bit over most MAX charges in many sources.

Fired many of these and consider them my business load. Brass from these loads is not loaded again.

Powder seemed to perform well. Good consistency.

 

[41 Mag]

I have one of the old IMI Javelina's with the 7" barrel. My go to load uses the 180gr Gold Dot over 13grs of AA-9 for 1350fps. I can tell you from experience that anything north of 1200fps with the 180gr XTP is no slouch what so ever. Those are good tough bullets and will hold together really well. I just never got them to group as well as the GD. I have shot feral hogs with both and had good clean one shot kills at ranges out to around 60 yards but for the most part more shots were made under 50 than over.

I wouldn't give that 180gr load up if I were you, and it is shooting like you said. It will put the hurt on most anything with two or four legs that is annoying you.

I just received a new mold that will cast a 200gr HP or a 220gr WFN solid for mine and will be putting it to use this morning. Hopefully I will be able to get somewhere close to the accuracy of the GD's with these and not have to worry about running out and not finding them on the shelf from now on out.

 

[Lennyjoe]

800x and 200 grain Hornad XTP. You can get them moving with 800x but the powder meters like hell so electronic scale and trickled is best. I went a bit over max like redbullitt did and won't post the grains.

 

[jgh4445]

Hey 41, Wanna share the info on that mold? Sounds like one I'd like. Lennyjoe,
I use a Chargemaster. It handles the 800X well. That stuff is like metering cornflakes!

 

[sixguns]

If you want velocity and low pressure out of a 10mm use Hodgdon Longshot.

 

[Dave P]

800x always worked for me.

 

[Elkins45]

Everybody loves 800x, and I understand the appeal, but I don't have the patience or the metering equipment to safely load it near max.

AA#9 is my current favorite for 200 grain loads and it has the advantage of being at 100% load density. Longshot is another good choice, as is Power Pistol.

 

[jgh4445]

Wow! Worked up to 13.5, 13.7, 13.9 and finally to 14 gr of AA9 with the 180 XTP. Cut a ragged two inch hole with 5 shots from the bag on the bench HOWEVER; using FC stamped, once fired brass, all loads looked like the brass had been sanded with 200 grit down to the last 1/4 inch above the groove Tht last quarter inch of brass looked bright and shiney like it came from the tumbler. Primers were pretty flat also. Delta Elite 5 inch, seated to 1.255, WLP. Is this a pressure sign?

 

[Peter M. Eick]

800x works well out of my very used Uniflow with a baffle. You really should play with it a while and experiment. I find I can throw +/- 0.2 worst case on 800x and just live with it. Most are +/- 0.1 grns and that is good enough for me. I picked up 8 lbs of 800x just for 10mm and basically all of my loads are 180 to 200 grn lead TC's with 800x now.

 

[41 Mag]

jgh4445,

I shot you a PM on the molds....

 

[MikeS.]

I use Blue Dot and Longshot for all my 10mm, which is a lot.

 

[rodregier]

FC brass tends to be on the soft side, would pick something else for max loadings myself.

 

[kerreckt]

800X, Longshot, AA#9, Power Pistol, BE86, VV N350 and some Bluedot, These have all been good powders, with various combinations of hand-cast and jacketed bullets. They have all been in the 155-210gr range. One of the most accurate loads was 800X with a Sierra 190gr. FPJ. #8480. I discovered they no longer make them. Fortunately, there are plenty of accurate loads in 10mm. Whether, you like it mild or hot, there is a lot to work with, and if I had to choose one, it would be 800X.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

I agree on 800X with one caveat. It is the biggest pain when it comes to metering. So please if you are going to load at max be very careful. One through could be .2 under max and the next throw could be .4 over max.

I have tried this powder in in 3 different powder measures. Now if you are going to use one of the fancy new automated dispencers like from RCBS or Hornady then no need to worry about it as much.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

According to my database if you are looking for what I consider nuclear loads but want to stay in SAAMI spec.

These are loads I have shot across my chronograph
Reload AA#9 - 14.2gr - Hornady #9

Average Velocity FPS ES SD Energy Level Based on AVG Bullet Weight

1352 55 21 Nuclear 730ft/lbs 180gr


AA#9 -11.3gr-Accurate Powder Manual
Average Velocity FPS ES SD Energy Level Based on AVG Bullet Weight

1268 35 14 Nuclear 713ft/lbs 200gr


I have cataloged this same data for some factory ammunition and plenty of other loads. I hope one day to find time to finish a 10MM page on my website containing all this data like I have done for 300 Blackout.

 

[Potatohead]

I agree on 800X with one caveat. It is the biggest pain when it comes to metering.

Meters great for me... with a spoon

 

[OilyPablo]

Decent coverage of Longshot by the books. It's what I use for 10mm.

Some guys go over book without disastrous results. There are margins in book loads. I haven't, don't, won't, not responsible for you, not recommended by me, THR or other websites that I know of.

 

[Toprudder]

Can't comment on 10mm as I don't have one, but I will comment on the 800x metering.

I tried various combos of Uniflow w/ and w/o baffle, and Dillon w/ and w/o aquarium pump, and the best was the Dillon with the pump. I was able to get +/- 0.25gn. I was able to get close to that with the Lee Perfect measure as well (go figure). The most accurate load in 45acp I had was mid-range, and neither the group sizes or POI changed much at +/- 0.2gn, so in this case I would feel comfortable using my Dillon to drop charges.

If I were loading close to the max charge, however, I would weigh each charge. My RCBS Chargemaster handles 800x reasonably well.