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

[sqlbullet]

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.

[REDLINE]

But, the idea of a .400 bullet in these power ranges is not new.  It just hasn't ever caught on.

Thanks for the clarification.  I see what you're saying and agree.

As for what I quoted you on immediately above, I do agree the idea of a .400 bullet in these power ranges is not new.

At this point though I'ld say it's caught on quite well in the likes of 40S&W and 10mm Auto.  In regard to the 10mm Auto itself, outside of LE/Military, in my book it is currently a common pistol round, and in various circles (self defense, hunting, and just plain old fun).  There are really only a handful of pistol (semi auto) rounds more common than it, and in my view it is still only gaining in popularity, pretty much by leaps and bounds compared to any other semi auto pistol cartridge out there.  There is also now a wide range of factory ammo (both large and boutique manufacturers) available for the 10mm, along with no shortage of available platforms from various manufacturers with which to launch it from.

BTW, I do realize much of anything is hard to get a hold of right now in our current governmental state of affairs.  But that's with all cartridges, and 10mm Auto components haven't stayed on the shelves any longer than anything else either.  Yes, the 40 S&W is partly at fault, but not when it comes to 10mm brass itself, which normally otherwise isn't generally that difficult to get ones hands on.

Anyway, not to turn anything into something it isn't, I'm simply of the opinion that 10mm has come a long way toward popularity after the FBI dumped it, and is still only growing in popularity by leaps and bounds outside of LE/Military.  At this point in time, to suggest the 10mm Auto hasn't caught on seems way off base to me.  Other's veiws may vary, and much of our views will vary just based on perspective.  Just my 2 cents.

[4949shooter]

I think that after the FBI dropped the 10mm, and other agencies like the Kentucky State Police followed suit, the 10mm took a dive as far as popularity goes.
I do believe that by introducing the Delta Elite, Colt saved the 10mm from extinction. I also believe that Glock kept the 10mm alive from there with the introduction of the Glock 20.

The 10mm seemed to wane in popularity for a while. For this reason I did not get involved with the 10mil earlier on, because I didn't know if the cartridge would die out and if ammo would become difficult or impossible to get. Forums like Glocktalk helped me to realize the 10 is not only here to stay but is gaining in popularity. This forum is also helping in that regard.

My prediction is that the 10mm will remain a viable cartridge and will continue to be popular with handgun enthusiasts and outdoorsmen. I would love to see the 10mm used by law enforcement agencies again, but the higher pressure loads will be too difficult for most police officers to handle. And if we are going to shoot .40 S&W level ammo, we might as well issue a .40 and take advantage of the smaller grip for the officers (both male and female) with smaller hands.

Other than that, 10mm rules.

[EdMc]

Off topic, but are police departments have any problems with supply of 40 cal ammo? The government is buying in such massive quantities it has to affect supply chains.

[4949shooter]

I couldn't give you a proper answer Ed, because we carry 9mm.

I haven't heard of any .40 shortage though, and I correspond with a lot of LEO's on line and off.

[DM1906]

Military and LE ammo is being supplied as contracted.  This is why the civilian supply is so short, but non-existent.  .40 S&W is still available occasionally in small quantities to us insignificants.  We are 3rd in line, so their supply hasn't changed.

[The_Shadow]

Tested the CORBON 135 Self Defense JHP in the 10mm S&W1006 5" 1432 fps / 1455 fps June 8, 2013

[Intercooler]

1456 here. This was just a tad faster than the Powerball with the additional powder correct?

[The_Shadow]

yes,  0.2 grains difference more on this one.

[The_Shadow]

Cartridge is from Ammo Manufacture: CORBON 135gr JHP (OLD) may be Nosler
Ballistics Information: 10mm Auto
Muzzle Velocity: 1450 fps
Muzzle Energy: 630 ft. lbs
Pictures: Before/After disassembly:
Brass Make/Headstamp: Star Line - Brass
Bullet Make/Weight/Construction/Info; Length 0.4860"/Dia. 0.4000": 135gr. JHP
Actual weight 135.0 grains   Crimp squeezed bullet to 0.3955"
HP depth 0.210" / HP dia 0.1215" / mouth dia 0.2300"
C.O.A.L.: 1.2490"
Primer: Nickel color
Case: Diameter 0.4220"" Crimp Diameter 0.4200" (tight) Length 0.9890"
Powder Description/Positive ID/Type/Charge Weight: AA#9  17.6 grains









Accurate Arms handloading data(Accurate Arms Data AANo.9 17.5 grains @ 1507 29,200 PSI)

[Intercooler]

Makes sense! The 1500 FPS is real and I wonder why they changed to Power Pistol in the new offering?

[The_Shadow]

Cartridge is from Ammo Manufacture: CORBON 135gr JHP (OLD) may be Sierra
Ballistics Information: 10mm Auto
Muzzle Velocity: 1400 fps
Muzzle Energy: 587 ft. lbs
Pictures: Before/After disassembly:
Brass Make/Headstamp: Star Line - Brass
Bullet Make/Weight/Construction/Info; Length 0.5000"/Dia. 0.4000": 135gr. JHP
Actual weight 135.0 grains   Crimp squeezed bullet to 0.3955"
HP depth 0.2075" / HP dia 0.1550" / mouth dia 0.2500"
C.O.A.L.: 1.2520"
Primer: Nickel color
Case: Diameter 0.4215"" Crimp Diameter 0.4175" (tight) Length 0.9880"
Powder Description/Positive ID/Type/Charge Weight: RamShot Silhouette 10.4 grains