Most versatile handgun round ever

[sqlbullet]

American Rifleman might start to feel picked on if they visit the forum, but I am going after them again.

They have an online article by Mr Wiley Clapp that posits the 357 Magnum as the "Most Versatile Handgun Round Ever".  While the title poses this as a question, the article attempts answer with a fervent "Yes!".

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2020/7/5/the-357-magnum-most-versatile-handgun-round-ever/

As you might imagine, I take a bit of issue with this statement.

I don't know that I would state categorically that the 10mm is the most versatile handgun round ever.  But if I were stack ranking them, the 10mm would be above the 357 Magnum on the list for sure.

As presented in my post about general purpose handguns, the 10mm Auto delivers better ballistics than the 357 magnum.  It also does so across a wider range of bullet weights.  Looking to Hodgdon's reloading data online, they have published data for bullets ranging from 90 grains to 180 grains, a 90 grain range.  10mm Auto has data on that site for bullets from 120 grains to 220 grains, a 100 grain range.  Last I checked, 100 was more than 90.  I used the Hodgdon data as an apples to apples comparison.  We could debate endlessly about lightweight copper solids and heavy cast bullets, but in general I would respond that a rising tide raises all boats.

While the 10mm Auto was envisioned as an auto-loading pistol round, it has been successfully chambered in a wide variety of wheelguns as well.  In addition to catalog offerings from mainstream gun makers such as  S&W and Ruger, many custom pistolsmiths are happy to overbore existing guns for custom options in 10mm. Add to this the very wide variety of semi-auto guns in both single and double stack magazines with round counts up to 17+1 on board, and there is a 10mm for every need. 

The 357 magnum has been chambered in a few auto-loaders, they are specialty items from boutique makers such as the Desert Eagle or the Coonan.  None of these approach a modern standard capacity magazine, and are comically large guns in terms of grip circumference and weight.  I have very large hands, but my Deagle is more than a handful for me.

The 10mm Auto is certainly in the running for "Most Versatile".  It definitely holds the crown for "Most Overlooked".

[Kenk]

Plus, I haven't had a single friend or acquaintance that shot a 10 for the first time leave the range without an ear to ear grin 😀



Ken

[Muskrat]

I think it's the autoloading delivery system that gives 10mm such a huge advantage over other pistol cartridges.

10mm revolvers, while fine for those that want them, make ZERO sense to me. If there's anything 10mm auto does in a revolver that .41 Mag doesn't do better, I don't know what it is.

I think 10mm fell to the wayside because people weren't used to thinking of an autoloader as a woods gun, and the cartridge is too stout for urban use for the vast majority of shooters. In my mind most of the resurgence of 10mm has been woods/hunting related, with urban proclivities going the opposite direction...40S&W's being traded in for 9mm.

Like most cartridges, 10mm becomes a lot more versatile if you reload for it.

[The_Shadow]

My vote for the most versatile handgun would be the Glock 20 or 29 as they can shoot 10mm and 40S&W and with conversion barrels 40S&W, 357Sig and 9x25 Dillon and have the 9mm luger if you have the conversion barrel.

[blaster]

I think it's the autoloading delivery system that gives 10mm such a huge advantage over other pistol cartridges.

10mm revolvers, while fine for those that want them, make ZERO sense to me. If there's anything 10mm auto does in a revolver that .41 Mag doesn't do better, I don't know what it is.

I think 10mm fell to the wayside because people weren't used to thinking of an autoloader as a woods gun, and the cartridge is too stout for urban use for the vast majority of shooters. In my mind most of the resurgence of 10mm has been woods/hunting related, with urban proclivities going the opposite direction...40S&W's being traded in for 9mm.

Like most cartridges, 10mm becomes a lot more versatile if you reload for it.

I couldn't have said it better! 

[Rick R]

I'd agree that the .357 is most versatile, but add that it's adequate for most things, master of none.
You can get an uber light weight 5 shot 1 5/8" J frame in .357 or a 20" levergun in .357.  In the J frame most folks are going to use .38 and in the levergun the .44 is more better with no size/weight penalty and little more recoil.

I have one .357 I bought 40 years ago that I keep as a memento, shoot once a decade.  In my mind the 10mm eclipses it in auto or revolver.  If I want bigger my three .44 Mags are up to the challenge.
There are hardcore .41 aficionados with good reason and guys who like a modern loaded .45LC.

Real cartridges start with .4"

[sparkyv]

While not quite as ballistically powerful as the .41 Mag, one thing a 10mm revolver can do that a .41 Mag can't is shoot 40S&W, which adds to its versatility.  Especially appealing if one doesn't already have a .357.

I think it's the autoloading delivery system that gives 10mm such a huge advantage over other pistol cartridges.

10mm revolvers, while fine for those that want them, make ZERO sense to me. If there's anything 10mm auto does in a revolver that .41 Mag doesn't do better, I don't know what it is.

Like most cartridges, 10mm becomes a lot more versatile if you reload for it.

[Muskrat]

While not quite as ballistically powerful as the .41 Mag, one thing a 10mm revolver can do that a .41 Mag can't is shoot 40S&W, which adds to its versatility.  Especially appealing if one doesn't already have a .357.

I think it's the autoloading delivery system that gives 10mm such a huge advantage over other pistol cartridges.

10mm revolvers, while fine for those that want them, make ZERO sense to me. If there's anything 10mm auto does in a revolver that .41 Mag doesn't do better, I don't know what it is.

Like most cartridges, 10mm becomes a lot more versatile if you reload for it.

Well...to each their own and by all means pick and choose what works for you. But for someone who doesn't see any possible justification for a 10mm revolver, being able to shoot .40 S&W through it isn't any sort of consolation prize.

I love 10mm, and I love .40 S&W, and I love revolvers. But putting them all together is like sandwiching peanut butter and gum balls between cod fillets. Those are all great ingredients, but they can't come into their own when stuck together like that.

Again, shoot what you want...but a 10mm revolver is simply nonsensical to me. That you can shoot .40 S&W out of it makes it, if anything, just more awkward. Why on earth would someone choose to shoot these pistol-specific cartridges out of a revolver??? It's lost on me.

[4949shooter]

While not quite as ballistically powerful as the .41 Mag, one thing a 10mm revolver can do that a .41 Mag can't is shoot 40S&W, which adds to its versatility.  Especially appealing if one doesn't already have a .357.

I think it's the autoloading delivery system that gives 10mm such a huge advantage over other pistol cartridges.

10mm revolvers, while fine for those that want them, make ZERO sense to me. If there's anything 10mm auto does in a revolver that .41 Mag doesn't do better, I don't know what it is.

Like most cartridges, 10mm becomes a lot more versatile if you reload for it.

Well...to each their own and by all means pick and choose what works for you. But for someone who doesn't see any possible justification for a 10mm revolver, being able to shoot .40 S&W through it isn't any sort of consolation prize.

I love 10mm, and I love .40 S&W, and I love revolvers. But putting them all together is like sandwiching peanut butter and gum balls between cod fillets. Those are all great ingredients, but they can't come into their own when stuck together like that.

Again, shoot what you want...but a 10mm revolver is simply nonsensical to me. That you can shoot .40 S&W out of it makes it, if anything, just more awkward. Why on earth would someone choose to shoot these pistol-specific cartridges out of a revolver??? It's lost on me.

I actually agree with you. Much better off with a .41 magnum in a revolver.

Unless.....a shooter wants to keep one cartridge on hand. 10mm for everything. Then I can see it it. Sorta.

[Bluebird5000]

One advantage I think .357 had over 10mm (comparatively) is is is more flexible in the bullets you can load because they do not have to be shaped in an autoloader. This means you can have exposed lead on the hollowpoints that makes them expand more violently.

Of course that means less capacity

[sqlbullet]

About the only bullet shape(s) I can think of that I fear wouldn't feed in my 10mm are full wadcutter and extremely wide metplat designs that approach full wadcutter.

As far as exposed lead softpoints or lead hollow-points, both I and many others here shoot a great deal of cast lead hollowpoint and WFN designs that feed fine and expand amazingly while holding together.

[Muskrat]

I guess shot-shells are one round that favors the .357 revolver. I've never seen 10mm shot-shells, and while I think .40 S&W shot-shells exist, they are not easy to find. I've taken grouse with shot shells out of a .357 snub nose 340PD. That's about as ghetto as hunting can get, but it filled my belly in the Bob Marshal when nothing else was available.

Guess I could have just as easily shot the grouse with a 10mm bear load and not lost that much of the meal, but the shot-shell seems preferable somehow.

[DDRiller]

Shot shells should be fairly easy to make.  Start with 10mm Magnum brass and neck size it with a smaller caliber so it will chamber.  Would just need to find powder amount, cut a card for a wad, fill with shot, add another card,  and roll crimp with the seater if the caliber used for necking down.  I have some 10 mag brass for making .338 spectre I'll play with.  .45acp shot shells can be made with 41 mag or 10mm sizer sizer from cut down .308 brass or .45 win mag brass.