10mm Knowledge?

[45Smashemflat]

Good morning, recently acquired a 6” Dan Wesson 1911 in 10mm. I’m working up a small variety of locally available ammo to start a “brass collection “ for eventual reloading.

I’m looking for advice from folks who use the 10mm for hunting/woods roaming. What factory ammo has given you good performance? What has been your zero range for that ammo?

Locally, I’ve only found 180gr in FMJ. (WWB and S&B loadings) along with 200gr Gold Dot. Local Academy, nor Bass Pro have any in stock. I’ve got one more shop to investigate. I know I can mail order it, but I’d like to get some rounds down range before placing any orders/paying for the shipping.

Any other useful 10mm tips, tricks, knowledge would be great!

 

[Wyo]

I usually carry mine in griz country so most often carry the 200 gr. Buffalo Bore or 200 gr. Grizzly hard cast loads. Both are excellent with unbelievable penetration. For in-town use in my 5" Dan Wesson I like a handload with a 180 gr. Gold Dot at about 1300 fps. A lot of factory stuff is significantly underpowered these days but I would think almost any full power load with a decent hollow point would work fine.

 

[Farmer17]

I like the Sig 180 grain Flat point FMC ammo for targets and bear protection. It goes 1250 fps from my M&P 4" barrel and is about $42 box of 50 at Academy Sports. There is cheaper ammo out there but it is slower so I might as well shoot a .40 S&W.

 

[robertrwalsh]

The original Norma load was much more stout than the current stuff generally available. For serious anti-critter work the Buffalo Bore load referred to above is not a bad way to go. Since my hands have been getting pretty bad of late I often shoot a 155 grain bullet out of my 10mm at a very modest velocity. It is good for paper punching. IF I remember correctly my 610 is set up with an initial point of about 20 yards and a secondary of about 85 yards, but it has been so long since I shot it with full power loads I really couldn't tell you for sure. None of my 10mm semis have adjustable sights.

 

[cololab]

I usually carry mine in griz country so most often carry the 200 gr. Buffalo Bore or 200 gr. Grizzly hard cast loads. Both are excellent with unbelievable penetration. For in-town use in my 5" Dan Wesson I like a handload with a 180 gr. Gold Dot at about 1300 fps. A lot of factory stuff is significantly underpowered these days but I would think almost any full power load with a decent hollow point would work fine.

Ditto what Wyo states. Not saying there aren't other options, but I recommend the above hard cast factory loads for bear country. For in town, as has been mentioned, there are quite a few choices.

 

[45Smashemflat]

Good stuff folks. Found some additional Nosler 180 JHP and Federal 200 HSTs to add to the mix.

I’m kind of surprised that I’m finding both large and small primers being used?

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Good stuff folks. Found some additional Nosler 180 JHP and Federal 200 HSTs to add to the mix.

I’m kind of surprised that I’m finding both large and small primers being used?

I have never saw a small primed 10mm case......Who does it?

 

[Rock185]

I started loading the 10mm soon as dies became available. The only factory ammo available was the Norma 170 and 200 grain flat point ball loads. That old Norma 200 grain load advertised as 200@1200 FPS actually did that in my 5" semi-autos and revolvers. I loaded a bunch of 10mm over the years to similar levels. I have 10mm brass, but have not encountered 10mm brass with small primers. FWIW, I tried all kinds of medium and slow powders in loading 10mm. For top loads with least pressure signs, I settled on AA-9. I've used AA-7 and several others, but for loads equivalent to the old Norma, current BB and Underwood, etc., the slower AA-9 has proven excellent.

Now days, if I were going to carry a 10mm for any serious purpose, I would likely pick one of the Underwood or Buffalo Bore offerings. Both have quite a selection. I have used the BB 180 grain JHP load and Underwood 165 grain FP ball and JHP loads. Both have proven reliable in my guns, and produce 1300+FPS with no issues. I zero my 10MMs at 25 yards.

 

[Dvus]

I have to agree with most comments above. Factory ammo is in general, lacking in horsepower. Sig seems to have the best oomph factor for standard factory loads, but the BB and Underwood loadings is where it's at to take advantage of the cartridge's true potential. But handloading is the ultimate boost in the 10mm power potential. I shoot a 6" Witness Hunter, and would not hesitate to take it up against anything except maybe elephants, rhino's and hippos.

 

[45Smashemflat]

I do plan to reload it at some point, I need to build up some brass and gather some components. I was hoping to get some “data” from the factory fodder to see what this 6” likes.

Thanks for all the insights!

 

[colt_saa]

I started handloading for the 10MM Auto cartridge in 1990. Back then Factory ammo was scarce for the 10MM Auto and I was already set to handload many other cartridges so it was just a change of shell plate and dies to get going.

The last 6-8 years have seen the introduction of much higher powered ammunition from the major ammunition manufactures as more companies re-introduce firearms in this chambering.

Here is one of my favorite 10MM Auti ammunition offerings from Federal.

This is not a watered down load like many that we see out there, this is a potent new offering. A 180 bonded projectile moving at 1275

​

As others have pointed out, it is much easier to locate ammunition on the internet than at your favorite gun shop

Ammoseek is certainly your friend

 

[45Smashemflat]

Totally agree, just wanted to try locally first before buying in bulk/paying shipping. I did find some Federal 200 gr HSTs stepping out at 1130fps at the muzzle (per the box). I think that’s the hottest I’ve found locally so far.

 

[Liftrat]

Snip>
I’m kind of surprised that I’m finding both large and small primers being used?

A lot of manufacturers are going to small primers in what used to be large primers only brass, especially in semi-auto rounds. 10mm is probably the most recent, with 45ACP small primer brass becoming more and more common. I haven't found any small primer 44SP or Mag yet, but don't buy very much of those.
Since LP primers seem to be hard to find around here, SP brass can be a blessing in disguise.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

In my experience the majority of small primer 10mm brass comes from either Federal or Blazer.

NE Reloading has a great deal on 2 x 250 for $60.... When back in stock!

Cheers!

 

[mtgianni]

I shot a bit of 175 gr powder coated cast until I was given 1000 200 gr plated. Mine have only ever shot paper, not even shot a chrono yet.

 

[colt_saa]

A lot of manufacturers are going to small primers in what used to be large primers only brass, especially in semi-auto rounds. 10mm is probably the most recent, with 45ACP small primer brass becoming more and more common. I haven't found any small primer 44SP or Mag yet, but don't buy very much of those.

The reason for the introduction of small primer pockets in various auto loading cartridges was because of the switch to lead free primers for use in lead free ammunition at various Governmental and Law Enforcement agencies

It was much easier to design a single size of lead free primer than provide them for both large and small pistol primer pockets

Since the 44 special and 44 magnum are not traditional cartridges issued by Law Enforcement agencies odds are they will continue to be large primer pocket cartridges

 

[Autonomous]

As discussed, much of the 10mm ammo is watered down. The boutique loaders are a good place to find full power stuff. Some of the mainstream loaders offer a few but you have to read the data.
It may or may not be a problem depending on what predators you may encounter. If you shared that information, you could get better answers.

For thin skinned animals, e.g. cougar or deer, a near full power 180 grain controlled/limited expansion bullet is an example of an appropriate choice.

Big, heavy bears and boars will call for full power solid projectiles.
Consider 200 grains at 1,200 fps as a baseline.
If you choose 220 grain cast bullets, make double sure they are reliable in your gun.

 

[Old Corp]

Been messing with 10mm since my LE agency (retired now...) had it as our first auto in 1989/1990 in the S&W M1076. Our duty round was the '10 LITE' by Federal and Remington - and paved a good track record for ~10 years. This provided me with a near-lifetime supply of good reloadable brass.

While I still have my M1076, my 'main' 10mm is a Colt Delta Elite SS that I'd had a bit of work done on, mainly adjustable Novak sights.
Factory ammo by Hornady, using the the 180 or 200 gr XTP is very good quality and performs well.
I use a pretty warm handload with the 180 gr XTP bullet as a deer round.
Also, a good, hardcast 200 gr. TC (truncated cone) loaded near top-end has been carried on hog hunts.

The 10mm is, like many calibers, at it's best as a handloader's round.
For top-end factory ammo, I'd strongly recommend looking at Underwood and/or Buffalo Bore.

 

[45Smashemflat]

Main game will be deer and pigs, so will probably lean towards the 200gr projectiles.

 

[Autonomous]

If you want to specialize, the XTP is a respected round for deer sized game.
Hogs? I suggest cast semi-wadcutters for penetration.
Only one load? SWC.

In my humble and unbiased opinion, of course...