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Underwood Ammo 231 Sporting Jacketed Hollow Point 135 Grain 10mm Auto
MSRP:Was:Now: $18.46 - $489.52 -
Norma 801109265 Safeguard Jacketed Hollow Point 180 Grain 10mm Auto
MSRP:Was:Now: $36.90 - $738.00 -
Underwood 10mm Auto 220gr FN Black Cherry Coated Hard Cast Ammo
MSRP:Was:Now: $20.54 - $548.18 -
Winchester X10MMBB Big Bore Semi Jacketed Hollow Point 200 Grain 10mm Auto 1175 fps
MSRP:Was:Now: $26.57 - $291.66 -
DoubleTap 10MM125X DT LEAD FREE Barnes TAC-XP Lead Free 125 Grain 10mm Auto 1600 fps
MSRP:Was:Now: $17.46 - $543.28 -
Fiocchi 10APHP Defense Dynamics Jacketed Hollow Point 180 Grain 10mm Auto 1250 fps
MSRP:Was:Now: $31.70 - $703.78 -
Lehigh Defense LA10115XD Xtreme Defense Fluid Transfer Monolithic 115 Grain 10mm Auto 1700 fps
MSRP:Was:Now: $30.10 - $301.00 -
Liberty Ammunition 10mm Auto Civil Defense 60gr Fragmenting HP Ammo
MSRP:Was:Now: $28.63 - $320.97 -
Hornady 91224 American Gunner Hornady XTP Hollow Point 155 Grain 10mm Auto 1410 fps
MSRP:Was:Now: $15.56 - $408.40 -
DoubleTap 10mm Auto 135gr Controlled Expansion JHP Ammo
MSRP:Was:Now: $17.80 - $498.77 -
G2 Research 10mm Auto RIP 115gr Fracturing HP Ammo
MSRP:Was:Now: $30.65 - $341.22 -
Aguila 10mm Auto 180gr FMJ Ammo
MSRP:Was:Now: $22.45 - $449.00
10mm Ammo
10mm Auto: In Depth
Now serving as a brilliant bear and hog smasher at the side of many a bushwhacker, this cartridge began life in the early 1980s as a more robust alternative to the anemic 9mm loadings available at the time. The early years of 10mm Auto were full of excitement – a brand new pistol and cartridge, Miami Vice, the roller coaster FBI adoption and subsequent abandonment – even hallowed handgun luminary Jeff Cooper is part of the story! Even so, by the 1990s, the 10mm Auto had quickly taken a backseat to the upstart .40 S&W – a fate that surely incensed its inventors. However, in time, what may have doomed the cartridge in the short term has proven to be its lasting salvation: power. Oh, and it feeds through a semi-auto, too.
10mm Auto: History
In 1980, a small firearms manufacturing partnership known as Dornaus and Dixon reached out to famed handgunner, instructor, and small-arms master Jeff Cooper for assistance in the development of a new pistol and powerful new cartridge to match. This gun – what ultimately became the Bren Ten, and the cartridge – the 10mm Auto, emerged shortly thereafter as a solution to the problem plaguing every autoloader of the day: not enough penetration. For the new round, the creators envisioned a beefy case, a stout charge, and a generously-sized .40 caliber bullet sitting on top; something with magnum power, capable of slinging a 200-grain bullet in excess of 1,200/fps, yet designed to function flawlessly in a semi-auto pistol.
The resulting pistol and cartridge were released in 1983, with Norma of Sweden providing the initial loading of a 200-grain JTC (Jacketed Truncated Cone) bullet, dialed up to 1,200/fps.
Although the mid 80s saw a short spike in sales after the Bren Ten was featured in early episodes of TV’s Miami Vice, this didn’t prevent Dornaus and Dixon from declaring bankruptcy and ceasing production of the Bren Ten a mere three years later, in 1986.
Around the same time, the frantic aftermath of a wild shootout would lead the outgunned FBI to search for a new service cartridge. In 1989, although employing a greatly reduced loading (180-grain JHP @ 975/fps) due to the considerable recoil inherent in the full-house loads, the FBI adopted the 10mm Auto, along with the S&W Model 1076 semi-auto pistol shortly thereafter.
Almost immediately, however, the FBI found that they could reproduce the ballistics of their much-weakened 10mm Auto load with a shortened case – short enough to squeeze it into smaller-framed handguns originally designed to carry 9mm Luger – and then plunking the same .40 caliber bullet on top. Enter the .40 S&W: a cartridge that quickly sidelined its 10mm sibling for the next twenty years.
Throughout the 1990s, law enforcement organizations across the US adopted the .40 S&W in droves, and the 10mm Auto continued to fade in popularity.
Nevertheless, due to its massive power and case capacity (and the fact that Glock chambered a pistol for the cartridge), the 10mm Auto steamed on, undeterred. It was a natural choice for defense against wildland predators, and the variety of loadings proved to be an asset for tactical units, two-legged self defense, and competition shooting alike. Couple those reasons with the strong desire to clown on .40 S&W endemic to the gun community over the years, and a healthy explanation emerges for the popularity and persistence of this round.
10mm Auto Guns
Now we will cover some of the most popular 10mm Auto weapons, over the years.
Early Pistols
Taking inspiration from the CZ-75, the Bren Ten pistol was the first to be chambered in 10mm Auto, and was only manufactured for a few years (1983-1986). The Colt Delta Elite arrived in 1987 – the first of many M1911 variants chambered in the cartridge. Smith and Wesson’s Model 1076 was adopted by the FBI for a short time in 1990. The first Glock to use the 10mm Auto chambering, the Model 20, has been a perennial top seller since its introduction in 1991.
- D&D Bren Ten
- Colt Delta Elite
- Smith and Wesson Model 1076
- Glock 20
Current Pistols
Many current manufacturers offer pistols chambered in 10mm Auto; steel M1911 variants and polymer framed-pistols are both commonly found.
- Dan Wesson RZ-10 Razorback
- Kimber Eclipse Custom II
- PSA Admiral
- Sig P320 X-TEN
- Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0 10mm
- Glock 40
Why 10mm Auto?
The cartridge was designed to combine magnum power with a semi-auto platform. Although some 10mm Auto loadings have significant recoil when compared with 9mm Luger and even .45 ACP, shooters who are prepared to deal with the extra oomph have a ballistic solution that is far more effective than those cartridges at longer distances while still offering numerous follow-up shots.
Hunting
- Simply put, 10mm Auto delivers more power downrange than almost any other semi-auto handgun cartridge, and even some magnum wheelgun rounds.The tradeoff vs. hunting with something like a .44 Rem Mag (which is more powerful), for example, being increased round capacity.
- Many ammunition manufacturers offer hunting-specific loads in 10mm Auto, and with proper shot placement, taking deer-sized game is no problem.
Self Defense
- The cartridge was developed with law enforcement in mind, and the guns themselves were designed from day one to feed hollow-point ammunition reliably.
- Perhaps the most enduring use case for 10mm Auto is defense against large critters such as bears.
Target / Competition
- Although more costly to feed than 9mm Luger counterparts, 10mm Auto pistols are incredibly satisfying to shoot at the range, and flatter shooting than 9mm by far.
10mm Ammo Brands and Loadings
Due to its generously-sized case, the 10mm Auto is a no-brainer if you’re looking to stomp butts with a semi-auto. The “standard” 180-grain FMJ/JHP @ 1,200/fps loading is only one of many, however; there are specific loads for every need.
The Beginning
- The first commercially available ammo offering was a 200-grain JTC from Norma @ 1,200/fps.
- This was followed shortly by a 170-grain JHP @ 1,300/fps, also from Norma.
- Standard loading became a 180-grain TMJ/FMJ-FN/TC or 180-grain JHP @ 1,200/fps.
Modern Loadings
- Common grain weights range from 130 up to 220 and higher.
- Advertised velocities range from below 1,000/fps to 1,300/fps and above.
- Nearly every major manufacturer offers a 180-grain option, either in FMJ-FN or JHP @ approx. 1,200/fps.
- Hunting-specific ammo is available with monolithic solid, heavy bonded, and soft-point bullets to suit many types of game.
- Self-defense ammo is commonly available with 170-grain and 180-grain JHP bullets, though some manufacturers offer bullets that are lighter or heavier for caliber.
- Critter defense ammo largely using hard cast lead bullets
Brands
- US Manufacturers include: Federal, CCI (Blazer), Winchester, Remington, Hornady, Underwood, Buffalo Bore, Lehigh Defense, and more.
- Imports include: S&B (Sellier and Bellot), PPU (Prvi Partizan), PMC, Aguila, and more.
Bullet Types
In a cartridge designed for deep penetration like this one, most 10mm Auto bullets will perform a number of roles well. Here are some general use recommendations for the most commonly-available bullet types:
- FMJ / TMJ (Full Metal Jacket / Total Metal Jacket) - Target shooting, training
- JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point) - Self defense
- Hard Cast Lead - Bear defense
- Monolithic Solid / Penetrator - Hunting, self defense
- JSP (Jacketed Soft Point Lead) - Hunting
Bullet Profiles
- Most 10mm Auto ammunition employs a “flat nose” (FN), sometimes called “truncated cone” (TC) bullet to keep OAL (overall length) down; therefore able to fit into magazines (and also to keep handgun frame sizes reasonable).
- JHP bullets exhibit the same clipped-end shape.
Bullet Weight
10mm Auto ammunition, while commonly loaded somewhere between 130-grains to 220-grains, can be found with especially light or heavy bullets outside of this range as well, with manufacturers offering these varieties:
- Solids - 130-grain to 150-grain
- JHP - 150-grain to 180-grain
- FMJ - 180-grain to 200-grain
- Soft Point / Hard Cast Lead - 200-grain to 220-grain
Velocity
- Standard velocity for 180-grain FMJ target load is around 1,200/fps.
- The fastest loads feature lighter-weight bullets in the 130-grain to 150-grain range, which really get cookin’ at 1,400/fps to 1,500/fps!
- The heavier-for-caliber soft point and hard cast lead loads generally have the same muzzle velocity as the 180-grain target loads (~1,200/fps) but are instead propelling a monster 200 or 220-grain bullet, which translates into ~650-700 ft/lbs at the muzzle. That is some serious energy!
10mm Auto FAQ:
Not really, though it depends on both the shooter and the gun they’re using. Given that the cartridge is designed for autoloaders, some of the energy is gobbled up by the recoil system and isn’t transmitted directly into the shooter’s hands, unlike in magnum revolvers with similar ballistics. That being said, this is not a cartridge for new shooters, or those with failing hand strength. Selecting a heavier all-steel M1911 variant can help with recoil management in some cases, though other shooters prefer the feel of the polymer-framed pistols over the all-steel guns, crediting the softer frames for better control. If possible, shoot both varieties to determine which one offers the right balance of accuracy and recoil response for you.
No. While it is true that the .40 S&W came about by shortening the 10mm Auto’s case, and they use the same diameter bullets, they are not interchangeable. Though .40 S&W will chamber and fire through a 10mm Auto Glock, such as the Model 20, it is not advisable to do so.
As always, this depends on the game and shot placement, and no definitive answer is available. The practical answer is; assuming a sufficient load is used and delivered accurately, about 50 yards and closer. Most people won’t be capable of shooting a pistol accurately at this range, however. Ethical hunting should take precedence here. If YOU can’t hit a 6” target EVERY TIME at 50 yards with your 10mm Auto pistol, don’t take shots on animals at that distance.
Of course you can, but there are better options for defense against people – 9mm Luger, for instance. While 10mm Auto loadings are more than capable of laying down human targets, even at ranges beyond 75 -100 yards, the capability of most people to connect at these distances with such a powerful cartridge, especially under the stress of a self-defense situation, make it a moot point.
Also, follow-up shots can be difficult if the shooter is unable to manage the recoil of the cartridge in the first place. On the other hand, 10mm Auto is an extremely popular choice for backwoods defense. The combination of heavy expanding bullets traveling at 1,200/fps and 15 or more rounds in the magazine (Glock 20, for example) provides peace-of-mind for many people when hiking in bear country.