CORBON 135gr Self-Defense JHP & older 1450 fps & 1400 fps pull-down

The_Shadow · January 30 2013 06:38:49 PM MST

Cartridge is from Ammo Manufacture: CORBON 135gr Self-Defense JHP
Ballistics Information: 10mm Auto
Muzzle Velocity: 1400 fps
Muzzle Energy: 588 ft. lbs
Brass Make/Headstamp: CORBON - Brass
Bullet Make/Weight/Construction/Info; Length 0.4935"/Dia. 0.4010": 135gr. SD JHP
Actual weight 135.2 grains Crimp squeezed bullet to 0.3995"
C.O.A.L.: 1.2500"
Primer: Brass color
Case: Diameter 0.4210" Crimp Diameter 0.4215" (Tight) Length 0.9865"
Powder Description/Positive ID/Type/Charge Power Pistol Weight: 10.4 grains
Tested in 10mm S&W1006 5" 1432 fps / 1455 fps June 8, 2013
Cases expanded to 0.4285" / 0.4285", primers slightly flattened, cases look good.

Intercooler · January 30 2013 06:59:14 PM MST

Power pistol. I think MAC used it too.

REDLINE · February 08 2013 05:18:59 PM MST

Any clue what actual at home chrono results showed for other rounds from the same box of ammo?

Intercooler · February 08 2013 05:32:33 PM MST

What does Shadow's estimated range work out to for that load?

The_Shadow · February 08 2013 05:41:01 PM MST

Alliant shows this for data 10.6 grains of Power pistol @ 1,530 fps 35,600 PSi from 5.5" barrel, Fed. 150 primer, COAL 1.250"

Therefore they will probably be inside the 1400 fps window of performance...

Intercooler · February 08 2013 06:00:13 PM MST

My result was 1456 FPS average.

REDLINE · February 08 2013 06:07:22 PM MST

Thanks

enidpd804 · February 08 2013 10:44:37 PM MST

I always felt that if that round would have been available earlier, the 10mm would be much more popular today. Thanks for the research, Shadow.

4949shooter · February 09 2013 05:33:16 AM MST

Good point, enid.

Doc clocked this load at 1375 out of his Glock. See line #32:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjsXvXEryDJjdFhsRUcwSHRUcktCMmhOMTVFa25xa1E#gid=0

REDLINE · February 10 2013 12:35:19 AM MST

Quote from: enidpd804 on February 08 2013 10:44:37 PM MSTI always felt that if that round would have been available earlier, the 10mm would be much more popular today.

I too tend to agree.

sqlbullet · February 10 2013 11:09:22 AM MST

Quote from: enidpd804 on February 08 2013 10:44:37 PM MST
I always felt that if that round would have been available earlier, the 10mm would be much more popular today. Thanks for the research, Shadow.

I like to think that too, but I am not sure that this is true. The 38-40 is pretty much between 40S&W and 10mm in performance, and has been around a LONG time. But the 45 Long Colt got it done, and was the foundation for the 45 ACP.

Don't get me wrong, I love the 10mm and think it is about the best. Great power, small package, good capacity numbers in magazines, etc. But, the idea of a .400 bullet in these power ranges is not new. It just hasn't ever caught on.

enidpd804 · February 10 2013 10:47:40 PM MST

Good points, sir. All true. My thought on the topic is this: I remember the negative reports coming in at the time. Too much recoil...and... A street failure of the 175 Silvertip. The first documented shooting I remember reading about was four torso hits with ST with no immediate results. ${$default_shocked_smiley}$ Of course, we all know ...stopping power...drugs...psycopathy...exact shot placement...etc. Still, that info had to have an effect on the market. A friend and I lamented the fact that Corbon wasn't currently making a 135 gr. 10mm at the same velocity as their (and, of more relevance-Federal's) .357 125 gr. Man, that would be a whopper! It was and is. It was just too late.

That was my thought process at the time anyway. Of course, I was in my early 20's and not quite as smart or as handsome as I am now. ${$default_grin_smiley}$

REDLINE · February 11 2013 02:31:58 AM MST

Quote from: sqlbullet on February 10 2013 11:09:22 AM MSTBut, the idea of a .400 bullet in these power ranges is not new. It just hasn't ever caught on.

What do you mean by these power ranges? At first I was simply thinking you meant the 10mm Auto power range. But since you said it in a plural sense I'm not sure what you meant, and would prefer clarification before jumping to a conclusion that may be inaccurate.

sqlbullet · February 11 2013 08:09:40 AM MST

There is a whole scope cartridges in the .400 size. The ones in factory offerings over the years have included:

38-40 - 180 gr @1200 fps for 575 ft-lbs energy in 1874
41 Colt Special - 210 gr @1150 for 616 ft-lbs energy in 1877 (and again in the 1932)
41 Magnum - 180 gr @1800 fps for 1294 ft-lbs energy in 1964
10mm Auto - 180 gr @1350 fps for 728 ft-lbs energy in 1983
41 Action Express - 180 gr @900 fps for 323 ft-lbs energy in 1986
40 S&W - 180 gr @1050 fps for 440 ft-lbs energy in 1990

There have also been a whole host of wildcat and semi-wildcat offerings. The 40 Eimer, the 40 G&A, etc.

I agree with enid, and disagree. It think if introduced under the right confluence of events, the 10mm would be THE cartridge today. I have to run to a meeting...More thoughts later.

sqlbullet · February 11 2013 09:42:39 AM MST

Unfortunately, the confluence of events stacked against the 10mm. First were the (unfounded) fears about longevity which caused the FBI ballistics team to download the 10mm for their testing. They effectively validated what Elmer Keith, Sketter Skelton and Bill Jordan campaigned for years would be the ideal personal defense round: 200 grains at 900 fps in .400. Turned out that 180 at 1000 worked just as well, maybe better.

Then came big heavy guns for such a light load (1006, 1076), which agents didn't like to carry.

And a bunch of gun mfg's that had just invested big money in tooling and design for wonder-nine pistols. Everyone had just introduced their high capacity 9mm variant, and there was no way to tweak those designs to handle a 10mm.

But, a 40 S&W fit nicely in those designs. Small tweak and off they went. Except, they needed a reason to have the FBI switch and get behind the same ballistics in a new package.

Suddenly the big heavy 1076 were recoil monsters when firing a 180 grain bullet at 950 fps, but a light Glock 23 was tame when firing the same bullet at the same speed. That must be new math.

None the less, this confluence of events gave us the hugely popular 40 S&W. It is the cartridge that Elmer, Skeeter and Bill wanted. Heck, it is even the cartridge that Jeff Cooper wildcatted before the 10mm auto (40 G&A). In a lot of ways, the 10mm made all the same mistakes the 41 magnum made. Rather than deliver what was asked for they added a touch more power. And the perception became it was too much.

Makes you wonder if the story would have been different in the FBI had chosen a 170 grain bullet at 1400 fps as 'their' load. I wonder if the mighty 10mm would be the gun used by 75% of the law enforcement agencies today.

I am glad Norma did what they did with the 10mm, even if it was more spec than was asked for by Elmer, Skeeter, Bill and Jeff. We all know that Jeff liked the 10mm, and I gotta think from what I have read, the other three would have liked 10mm in self loading guns too. Skeeter was kinda the 41 magnum champion and his idea of the best LE/personal defense load for the 41 magnum lines right up with what the 10mm does. I am sure he would take 15 shots in a Glock over 6 from a S&W model 57.

The 125 grain 357 is more comparable in my mind to a 155 grain 10mm. The 155 gr 10mm doesn't make quite the velocity, but it has the energy and more importantly, the sectional density. A 135 grain 10mm doesn't have the penetration of the 125 grain 357, but a 155 grain 10mm does.