Heaviest 10mm
- Thread starter Antihero
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bangswitch
Member
200 grain is the biggest one Hornady has load data for. I've loaded 180's some, but I prefer 155 grain and use them in both 10mm and .40S&W loads.
Steve in NC
Member
Some cast 40 caliber molds go as high as 220gr.
Doubletap sells a couple of 230gr 10mm loadings, one with a hardcast bullet, the other a JHP. Buffalobore sells a 220gr hardcast bullet 10mm loading.
Personally, I wouldn't use them. IMO, it's time to go to another caliber if you feel like you can't get what you want without butting right up against the edges of bullet weight limits for a caliber.
Personally, I wouldn't use them. IMO, it's time to go to another caliber if you feel like you can't get what you want without butting right up against the edges of bullet weight limits for a caliber.
mcb
Member
I have loaded 220 gr lead in both 10mm and 40S&W but for most of my 10mm I like 200 gr and 180 gr in 40S&W.
The heaviest I have seen is 230 gr as mentioned above but have never loaded any. Even with 10mm Magnum I don't think I have seen data heavier.
The heaviest I have seen is 230 gr as mentioned above but have never loaded any. Even with 10mm Magnum I don't think I have seen data heavier.
Choctaw
Member
I use Underwood 220 grain HC regularly for hunting.
Lennyjoe
Member
I considered trying to build a heavy sub 10MM load then decided against it. Really defeats the purpose of 10MM for me.
I’m sure if I get bored with all of the other subsonic stuff I’m playing with (.300 BO, .45 ACP, 9MM) that may drive me to toy with a 10MM sub load out of my FN 510 since it has a threaded barrel.
It also depends on what you want to do with it. I’ve loaded 10mm and .40 with up to 220 gr. bullets, but not necessarily going for maximum speed.
Back in the ‘90s, it was common in USPSA to load heavy bullets with fast powder. This provides enough power to make Major power factor (which is a measure of momentum), while giving a very soft recoil impulse.
Heavier bullets also tend to do better for bowling pin competitions. Again, loaded to “fast enough” velocities. You want enough power to reliably take the pin off the table, but not so much that you are slowed by excessive recoil.
Back in the ‘90s, it was common in USPSA to load heavy bullets with fast powder. This provides enough power to make Major power factor (which is a measure of momentum), while giving a very soft recoil impulse.
Heavier bullets also tend to do better for bowling pin competitions. Again, loaded to “fast enough” velocities. You want enough power to reliably take the pin off the table, but not so much that you are slowed by excessive recoil.
Steve in NC
Member
I started heavy bullet subsonic testing with an 8" 10mm. then the ATF started thier mess. That project is shelved until that mess is straightened out.
Anchorite
Member
If you have to lean hard on bullet weights in your chosen cartridge, it’s probably best to step up in cartridge. Go 41 magnum and be done. Or better yet, go 44 Magnum.
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huntersdog
Member
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2017
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I have shot 250gr cast, but had case bulge, the shot but didn't feed reliably. Shoot what your gun will run without a hiccup.
Anchorite
Member
Yes. Been there, done that.
What I’ve observed is the 10mm in a Glock is about tops at 180grs (at least in close friends G29 does not shoot anything heavier very accurately). The 45 in a +P is just so much more in a comparable package.
I shot the Super for a number of years in a tricked 4506 and the results were very consistent. Then I started shooting my G30 and noticed that with +P, it was probably 85% as effective as the Super, so I have gone back to 230gr +P, and feel just fine. There is so much hype with the 10mm. There are just better choices, but we do have choices. Not critical of 10 shooters, just relating my experiences.
I put a heavy (21pound) spring and a alphawolf barrel in my g30. I run a 265 grain lswc @890 fps for a "bear" load. I don't want to add a "bear caliber" when I can do this in stead. this load is just above 45acp +p pressures and, with the above load, is my 10mm substitute.
murf
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Anchorite
Member
Sweet!! I have not switched out springs in my G30 but your setup would be the Bees knees! Love my G30!!
What? Why exactly would you assume that I want 44 magnum level of power?!?
Literally, I want heavy subsonic 10mm, not super power.
Anchorite
Member
I guess I just don’t see the logic in a subsonic 10mm load. Can you help me to understand that? But the 45ACP is naturally subsonic.
Edited to add:
To me, a 40 makes more sense for subsonic use as it will get 200gr up to very near 1,000 fps in a pistol, and use less powder doing it.
The only place where 10mm would have an advantage that I can see is if you were determined to use 220gr bullets. But that weight is relatively rare compared to 180gr or 200gr, and you're still 10gr below a basic 230gr .45 load in the same sized frame so.... What's the point?
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I'm pretty sure 230gr is the heaviest I've seen, although with the upcoming 400 Legend there will be heavier options although I'm not sure how well they would work from a 10mm. If you goal is subsonic heavies, probably stick with 220gr or even 200gr.
Not really related but in .45 ACP you can run some really heavy bullets, up to and over 300gr. I was playing with .45 Super at the time using a G21.4 and a KKM 4 port comped barrel and it would drive 300gr hardcasts over 1150 fps from the ~5" barrel, so dial that back to roughly 1000 fps and that would be a very hard hitting load that would suppress well.
Not really related but in .45 ACP you can run some really heavy bullets, up to and over 300gr. I was playing with .45 Super at the time using a G21.4 and a KKM 4 port comped barrel and it would drive 300gr hardcasts over 1150 fps from the ~5" barrel, so dial that back to roughly 1000 fps and that would be a very hard hitting load that would suppress well.
If you're looking for large predator protection penetration is king. But energy and impact velocity play a part. I use 200 gr Double Tap ammo in my 10mm when in bear country. They chronographed 1315 fps in my G20 with 750 ft lbs energy.
I also have some 255 gr loads in 45 ACP that I feel should come close to the same penetration. But the 45 loads are only giving about 900 fps and 450 ft lbs energy. I'll concede that is pretty good, but that is a significant energy and impact velocity difference. The 10mm should penetrate deeper, the 10mm load recoils less, shoots flatter if longish shots are in order, and the gun holds more rounds. And at least in my guns 10mm is more accurate and reliable.
The way I see it 10mm is the clear winner here. Compared to real world 44 mag loads from typical 4" barrels 10mm is closer than you'd think. Most people are carrying off the shelf 240 gr 44 mag loads that won't match 200 gr 10mm loads. 45 Super may be a different story.
I don't carry my 10mm if 2 legged predators are the concern. IMO my 9's and 45's with standard loads are good enough.
I also have some 255 gr loads in 45 ACP that I feel should come close to the same penetration. But the 45 loads are only giving about 900 fps and 450 ft lbs energy. I'll concede that is pretty good, but that is a significant energy and impact velocity difference. The 10mm should penetrate deeper, the 10mm load recoils less, shoots flatter if longish shots are in order, and the gun holds more rounds. And at least in my guns 10mm is more accurate and reliable.
The way I see it 10mm is the clear winner here. Compared to real world 44 mag loads from typical 4" barrels 10mm is closer than you'd think. Most people are carrying off the shelf 240 gr 44 mag loads that won't match 200 gr 10mm loads. 45 Super may be a different story.
I don't carry my 10mm if 2 legged predators are the concern. IMO my 9's and 45's with standard loads are good enough.
Anchorite
Member
That load would likely leave a mark. I used to load tons and tons of 210-215 gr SWCs in my 41s with 7.2~7.5 grs of Unique for plinking.
In a 4 5/8 BH and a 7 1/2” Redhawk that was a sweet load. I’d estimate it was running around 950-1100 fps (depending on the charge).
But I had way more room to go, which is why the 10mm will never be a 41.
Like the saying goes, have more fun and get it done with the 41!
