10MM vs. 41 MAG in 4" Barrel

[aterry33]

We all know the 10MM is not a 41 Magnum, but it is interesting to see how some of the hot 10MM loads stack up to the 41 in shorter barrel lengths (I think most manufacturers publish their ballistics based on an 8 3/8" barrel).

We tested Underwood's 200 GR XTP 10MM and got 1250-1300 fps from a stock GLOCK 20 which comes out to about 700 ft-lbs of energy.

By comparison, Speer Gold Dot 210 GR 41 MAG average around 1220 from a 4" S&W 57 which is also about 700 ft-lbs of energy.

I consider the Gold Dot 41 load to be an "average" 41 MAG factory load. I'm curious if anyone else has done testing on 41 MAG loads in this range and/or what you are able to get from the hotter 41 MAG loads out of a 4" barrel. Obviously these would exceed the 10MM.

Interestingly we also tested the Federal 44 MAG 240 GR Hydra Shock out of a 4" Mountain Gun and got 1100 fps which I think is around 650 ft-lbs of energy.

 

[DR505]

Well, I'll have to break out the chronograph! I've got a 10mm Vaquero with a 4 5/8" barrel and a 657 with a 3" barrel. Once I try out some loads, I'll let you know. I've got a box of "Heavy" 10mm 180 gr JHP from Buffalo Bore sitting around and I should check them out.

 

[336A]

I think if you were to try some of Underwoods' .41 magnum ammo that the difference will be in the .41's favor. It's a unfair comparison to use boutique ammo for one cartridge and not the other. However I do think that the 10mm is a fine cartridge in it's own right. It is a shame that the big companies neutered it to .40 S&W levels.

 

[aterry33]

I think if you were to try some of Underwoods' .41 magnum ammo that the difference will be in the .41's favor. It's a unfair comparison to use boutique ammo for one cartridge and not the other. However I do think that the 10mm is a fine cartridge in it's own right. It is a shame that the big companies neutered it to .40 S&W levels.

Of course. That's why I said the 10MM is not a 41 MAG, and that a hot 41 MAG clearly beats a hot 10MM.

My point was that it's interesting to see how a hot 10MM from a GLOCK 20 with a 4.6" barrel compares to factory 41 MAG loads from a 4" barrel. It seems like the hot 10MM meets/exceeds the 41 MAG in a lot of these situations, but the hotter 41 MAG loads from Underwood, Buffalo Bore, or handloads, etc. would definitely exceed the 10MM.

And I agree, I don't know of a single non-boutique manufacturer that loads the 10MM to what it should be. It's basically 40S&W stuff. Buffalo Bore and Underwood both load real 10MM stuff, but Underwood is priced much better. I used to buy a lot of DoubleTap 10MM but it's expensive and doesn't meet it's velocity claims anymore in my experience. SwamFox used to make great 10MM ammo but unfortunately the gentleman passed away last year.

 

[K1500]

Winchester 175gr STHP are a little better than halfway between factory neutered loads and full throttle boutique loads. It is probably the hotter 10mm load from the majors.

 

[Shadow1006]

10mm is what it is though, a semiauto cartridge cartridge with the ballistic punch of a 41 mag served up from a neat package that can deliver 10 to 16 rounds of this potent cartridge.

Handloaders have understood this from the early years of this cartridge!
It is just a shame that most ot the bullets are designed to perform better at 40 Short and Weak velocities and not the true 10mm performance.

 

[steveno]

175 grain Silvertips out of a S & W M-57 4 inch average 1,213 fps
240 grain Platinum tips average 1,132 in tha same gun

 

[SuperMan]

Federal 210 JHP and Remington 210 Soft Point run in the low to mid 1300s from a 4" barrel.

I did a bunch of velocity and expansion tests on several calibers last fall and used a 4" Model 57 as one of the test guns...

...a few bullets tests... - 24hourcampfire



Bob