Best 10mm defense ammo

Raggedyman · December 08 2014 09:58:26 AM MST

An article I wrote regarding a few of the better options for 10mm defense ammo. As always, I'd love to hear whatever criticism you're willing to offer.

Quote10 mm auto is an extremely versatile cartridge that is quickly gaining in popularity. It offers the energy of .357 magnum in a rimless auto cartridge, which brings with it the benefits of faster reloads and higher capacity than you can get in a revolver. Some uninformed brutes of questionable lineage might claim that it is "too much" for defense, but those same buffoons are not likely to argue that the .40 S&W or .357 mag are "too much" (my apologies if you are a buffoon who understands that 10 mm isn't voodoo magic). See, 10 mm is capable of remarkable power for an auto pistol, but it doesn't have to be loaded to the bleeding edge of SAAMI specs. Even at full power, it doesn't necessarily penetrate more than other pistol cartridges when it is loaded with the right bullet. If you carry a 10 mm for defense, you are clearly a wise person of noble lineage and you already know that. You may be interested in which loads for the 10 mm are best suited for defense, though, and that's what we're here to talk about.

The rest is here if you're interested.

The_Shadow · December 08 2014 10:34:02 AM MST

I can not disagree, 10mm has been my cartridge of choice since 1990. What it brings to the ballistic performance table is why I to choose it. The 10mm from mild to full potential and in between is what makes it so flexible for any situation be it self defense to hunting or just plinking targets.

As such the bullet choices also add to its ballistic potential and in some instances some bullets being made for the 40S&W just don't hold up to the full potential. Recently Federal offered the JSP which was loaded to a good velocity and was great for the hunting performance as well as defensive purposes.

Handloaders have long understood that the selection of components can make for superior performance in their 10mm platforms. ${$default_grin_smiley}$

my_old_glock · December 08 2014 12:44:54 PM MST

Quote from: Raggedyman on December 08 2014 09:58:26 AM MST
An article I wrote regarding a few of the better options for 10mm defense ammo. As always, I'd love to hear whatever criticism you're willing to offer.

What kind of gun is that. It isn't one we see ion California.

.

Raggedyman · December 08 2014 01:25:56 PM MST

EAA Witness polymer frame.

Rojo27 · December 08 2014 03:08:41 PM MST

Excellent article Raggedyman!

While I'm still a little partial to copper 155 grain TAC-XP pushed out @1400 fps (Glock 20) as loaded by Buffalo Bore for personal defense; I get why some are not.
Otherwise, I thought your suggestions for 10mm personal defense choices were very good. Certainly there are other excellent options for self defense in 10mm but your article laid out the general flexibility and variety of performance found in the 10mm.

Well thought out and presented!

DAVIDF · December 08 2014 03:42:32 PM MST

Raggedyman, as always, it is an excellent article! Thank you.

Wolfie · December 08 2014 07:08:03 PM MST

Great story, thanks for doing it.

Buying those new Federals when I can, a little expensive $35 a box, but well worth it.

Raggedyman · December 08 2014 11:36:50 PM MST

Quote from: Rojo27 on December 08 2014 03:08:41 PM MST
Excellent article Raggedyman!

While I'm still a little partial to copper 155 grain TAC-XP pushed out @1400 fps (Glock 20) as loaded by Buffalo Bore for personal defense; I get why some are not.
Otherwise, I thought your suggestions for 10mm personal defense choices were very good. Certainly there are other excellent options for self defense in 10mm but your article laid out the general flexibility and variety of performance found in the 10mm.

Well thought out and presented!

Good point I should have included an all copper example like the Buffalo Bore TAC-XP. It literally just slipped my mind.

DAVIDF · December 09 2014 01:56:18 PM MST

Raggedyman,

What do you think of the Hornady Custom 180gr XTP? You got some good velocity out of it at 1261fps (if I recall exactly).

Wolfie · December 09 2014 03:05:31 PM MST

Read the 1/15 issue of Guns magazine at the grocery store.

They have a 2 page spread on the Federal Trophy, over 1300 in a Kimber and Delta, over 1200 in the 4 inch Glock.

Raggedyman · December 10 2014 09:49:04 PM MST

Quote from: DAVIDF on December 09 2014 01:56:18 PM MST
Raggedyman,

What do you think of the Hornady Custom 180gr XTP? You got some good velocity out of it at 1261fps (if I recall exactly).

I think there's a good chance there was some kind of mistake. The velocity I got was much higher than others so I wonder if maybe they were actually my hand loads that I put in that box and forgot.

DAVIDF · December 11 2014 11:57:51 AM MST

OK, that makes sense. Anyways, it was still good to see how it performed at that velocity. That 180gr XTP doesn't appear to be particularly velocity sensitive. Seems to perform well all the way from .40 S&W velocities all the way up to 1300 fps or so. I already have a good amount of Critical Duty, otherwise I would be stocking up on Hornady Custom.