bullet recommendation

[steves86ta]

Hi all,

New to the forum but been reading here for a while now.

I have a Gen 4 G29 that i EDC and used to have a G20 (no longer own this firearm)

When i carry for CCW purposes i stick to factory ammo, just for peace of mind if i ever need to use it and end up with a DA with an agenda to push.

However - I also spend a lot of times in the mountains/desert communities off-roading. I carry the G29 here as well but i am looking for recommendations on bullet weights/velocities/etc....

Ive been reloading for years and have reloaded quite a few rounds. I have done some of the high end 10mm stuff and some of the middle range stuff. To be honest 90% of my shooting in the G29 is 40 cal stuff with either 180 or 155grn xtreme plated bullets.

We have been doing a lot more riding in the mountains and i would like to load up some pretty hot stuff for larger game incase of an emergency.

The powders i have are Blue Dot and Power Pistol - Between the two i enjoy shooting the Blue Dot in my 10mm loads more than the Pistol Power but they both work very well.

This brings me to my question... I have a few boxes of Hornady XTP bullets that i plan to load for this purpose. Im not sure what grain bullets i should plan on loading up.

I have 200grn, 180 and 155's... This is where my expertise lacks - What would be best to carry in this situation?

It is not unheard of to come across large game, and i just want a half chance at protection in case something happens. Is it better to load up a heavier bullet and run it slower or a lighter faster bullet? Which one would you go with and which powder?

I'm leaning towards the 200grn with around 10.5 grains of Blue Dot. However if you think one of the other bullets would be better suited i am all ears.

FWIW i have 4 pounds of the blue dot that i have no other use for, and 1 pound of the Power Pistol that id rather use for target loads. I will be using Federal Magnum primers for these loads and new Starline brass.

Thank you for any info!

[The_Shadow]

Speer with their Gold Dot line or Federal with their HST lines are good self defense rounds!

[Kenk]

a 200gr XTP would for sure be one of the many good options available. If you are wanting something for 2 or 4 legged woods protection, you may also want to consider Underwood's 10mm offerings

https://www.underwoodammo.com/collections/handgun-ammo/cartridge_10mm-auto

Ken

[Muskrat]

9.4 grains of Blue Dot under a 200 XTP gives me 1223 fps out of a G-20...I actually thought that was the book max load, but maybe not. Haven't chrono'd that load with the G-29, but I'd bet it'll come in right around 1050~1100. That load is super-accurate in everything I've shot it in, and the lower velocity from the G-29 should yield less expansion and thus deeper penetration. Even approaching 1300 fps from the Banshee that bullet stays together great in water jugs and provides a perfect mushroom.

For woods use I much prefer the XTP over the Gold Dot or HST bullets because it doesn't expand as rapidly or as large, which means better penetration. I'm real happy with that load for anything up to the size of large black bears. Since I'm in grizzly and moose country I cary 226 grain hard cast loads during the summer, but I generally transition to the XTP load come winter.

If big animals are your concern, you want the 200 grain bullet over the 180 or 155. If bipeds are your concern, the 200 grain is perfectly fine, but the two lighter options might give some small advantage.

[steves86ta]

Thank you everyone for the recommendations. Im gonna load em up with 9.5grains of Blue dot and the 200grn XTP's

[Kenk]

Be sure and have ur sunglasses if it's after dark, Lol, love that BD

Ken