180 vs. 200 gr. bullets?

[daved20319]

So other than hunting or bear defense, is there any good reason to use 200 gr. bullets in the 10mm vs. the more commonly used 180 gr.?  And I say more common based on factory ammo selection, 180 gr. projectiles are used far more than any other weight.  I tend to pick a bullet weight and style and stick with it, but I'm still experimenting with the 10.  So far, I've only used 2 different bullets, the 180 gr. XTP and the MBC 180 gr. coated TC.  I'm happy  running 10.5 gr. of BD with the XTP, but I may switch powders for the lead bullet, even 9.5 gr. of BD was hotter than I want/need for a target/plinking load, 1125+ FPS, I'm looking for  more like 1100 max.  Thanks!

Dave

[The_Shadow]

Well the extra weight tends to carry more deeply depending on bullet style or make up.  As a handloader I can drive the 200's at or above some factory ballistic velocities.

I have loaded many 200 Grain XTPs, Speer Gold Dots for my 10mm firearms, most are loaded to 1200 fps but some at 1240 fps as tested.

[Kenk]

I have loaded several thousand 180gr XTP?s under 10.4gr?s blue dot, and several hundred 200gr  Gold Dots. Originally I was using the 180?s for MN whitetail, but switched to the 200gr Gold Dot a few years ago when they became available as a consumable reloading component. Neither are inexpensive, I just prefer the 200 grainers for deer

[sqlbullet]

I know I tend to be the odd man out, but I carry what I shoot, and I shoot what I can get cheap.  Currently that is some 180 grain XTP's that I got on sale a while back.

But, I am not above carrying pulled bullets or cast bullets.  I also live in a state where I have a high confidence level that I would be judged based on the direct circumstances and not non-sense like how I got ammo.  When I travel across the country, factory ammo.

[Kenk]

If I'm carrying a 9, it's always with the same ammo are local sheriffs department carry's 124 HST or the same in  Speer GD, which my sheriff friend highly recommended I do

[daved20319]

So basically, the answer to my question is no  .  I probably should have made it a bit clearer that I was only asking about target/plinking loads.  The 10 probably won't be a carry piece, not because of weight, but rather holster availability, or should I say lack thereof  .  My carry is a 9mm, and like you, Kenk, it's loaded with either 124 gr. HST's or GD's.  Thanks, guys.

Dave

[The_Shadow]

So basically, the answer to my question is no  .  I probably should have made it a bit clearer that I was only asking about target/plinking loads.  The 10 probably won't be a carry piece, not because of weight, but rather holster availability, or should I say lack thereof  .  My carry is a 9mm, and like you, Kenk, it's loaded with either 124 gr. HST's or GD's.  Thanks, guys.

Dave

For plinking loads I like my cast 175 grain bullets that I cast and use in 10mm and 40S&W...casting my own bullets has made for much cheaper target practice with all of my cartridges not just 10mm.
With the current situation for powder and more so primers, I do a little less shooting these days.  "I'd rather have and not shoot than to shoot and not have!"

[Kenk]

Absolutely, hence the reason l do lots of .22lR right now

[gnappi]

For target / plinking I've never had a preference, though dyed in the wool target shooters swear that a slightly heavier bullet (if the extra weight is in the bore not the top) is more accurate. Me I'm a left ventricle / right ventricle and don't care about how close shots can get out of my holster.

Now for pins or steel? 200's nothing else I'd used does the job as good unless I drive the lighter bullets harder than 200's, there's no point in that.   

[sep]

I only shoot 180s for plinkin/target loads. No particular reason.