Hunting With 10mm Auto Ammo
Hunters can take credit for helping to revive the 10mm auto cartridge. The 10mm has suffered through some hard times, but in recent years hunters have discovered its accuracy and efficiency in hunting small to medium-size game.
It follows that large game hunters experience the effectiveness on large game such as wild hogs, bears, elk, and even buffalo. The most success with large game comes from using rounds with more than 200 grains. Handloading ammo also gives the advantage to the hunter, not the game.
In field tests, the 10mm outshines the .357 Magnum as a superior and more powerful round. While .45 ACP has been a favorite of handgun hunters, the 10mm auto is more accurate, consistent, and has more stopping power.
Tests show the 10mm has deeper penetration and creates a larger permanent wound channel than the .45 ACP. Additionally, the .45 ACP has an arching trajectory which lessens its effectiveness at 50-100 yards.
10mm Ammo History
The 10mm ammunition had a brilliant beginning in the 1980s. The FBI was looking for a round to replace the 9mm. The 9mm had been underserving its agents. Lt. Col Jeff Cooper took up the task.
Cooper had worked with Norma and Smith & Wesson. He had dreamed of creating a .40 caliber round using a 200 grain bullet.
The ammo would have a muzzle velocity of 1,000 feet per second (FPS) and 444 foot-pounds (ft.-lbs.) of energy. Cooper knew the round would be ideal for law enforcement. The original round contained a 170 grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 1,300 fps, muzzle energy of 600 ft.-lbs.
The FBI was eager to try out the new ammunition and adopted it along with the Smith & Wesson 610 10mm pistol. Unfortunately, it was only a short time before the feds realized some of the agents were unable to qualify in field tests.
The 10mm was too hard to handle and the recoil affected the agents’ accuracy. The ammo was pared down to a 180 grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 950 FPS. Smith & Wesson put the round into a compact cartridge and renamed it as the 40 S&W.
Bren Ten and Glock
Law enforcement embraced the 40 S&W, leaving the 10mm in the rearview mirror. Cooper’s dream nearly faded out.
Glock decided to continue manufacturing 10mm pistols as a law enforcement duty round, the 10mm shrunk almost to obscurity except for a small, but dedicated group of followers aided by Glock’s decision to keep their Glock 10mm guns in production. Popular 10mm pistols from Glock include the G20, G29, and G40.
Cooper and his 10mm team partnered with Dornaus & Dixon Enterprises to create the Bren Ten pistol, a gun made specifically for the 10mm. The gun was featured on the mega-hit cop show Miami Vice.
The Bren Ten was wielded by fictional detective Sonny Crockett. The popularity of Crockett’s character and the show caused the demand for the Bren Ten to skyrocket overnight.
A fatal mistake was made when Dornaus & Dixon rushed the gun into production without sufficient testing. The pistol had reliability and quality control issues. 10mm magazines were in short supply. The company went bankrupt in 1986.
Colt then stepped in and introduced the M1911 Delta Elite for 10mm.
Today, the ammo is making a comeback. Several companies are producing new 10mm handguns, including CZ, Glock, Kimber, Rock Island Armory, and Sig Sauer. Major ammunition manufacturers produce 10mm auto ammo.
They include: Barnes, Buffalo Bore, CCI, Corbon, Double Tap, Federal, Fiocchi, Hornady, Remington, Sig Sauer, Speer, Underwood, and Winchester. The rounds range from 90 grain to 220 grain bullets; 180 grain and 220 grain bullet weights are the most popular.
Best 10mm Auto for Hunting
A 10mm cartridge excels as hunting ammunition. The bullets are measured for accuracy, maximum expansion, stopping power, and range in the field.
While there are several types of effective handgun hunting ammo, the 10mm auto provides more power than a .357 Magnum. 10mm ammo is also a good all-purpose round that can be used for target practice, plinking and self-defense.
Small to Medium Game
Hunting small to medium game requires less power than if you were targeting a bull elk or grizzly bear. However, even small or medium-size game shouldn’t be underestimated.
Using 10mm ammo ensures that your prey will go down the first time and not run off into the woods to suffer and die hours or days later.
While many brands and styles fit the bill, the top rated 10mm auto rounds for hunting small to medium game include:
Barnes: VOR-TX Ammunition 155 Grain XPB Hollow Point Lead-Free
Barnes XPB pistol bullet is new production. The company promises that it will alter handgun hunting forever.
Penetration has been increased up to 25% over traditional lead-core bullets. VOR-TX ammunition uses a precise system to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Specifications:
- 1,150 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 155 Grain
- Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 455 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Hornady Ammunition: 180 Grain XTP
Hornady offers this 180 grain XTP as a multi-purpose pistol ammo. It’s great for whitetail deer hunting and other small to medium-sized game.
This reliable cartridge has excellent expansion, up to 60% of the original diameter.
Specifications:
- 1,200 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain XTP
- Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 650 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Remington Ammunition: 180 Grain UMC FMJ
This 10mm auto is a new production round made by Remington. The 180 grain bullet is good for high volume shots and effective against medium game like whitetail deer.
Specifications:
- 1,150 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain
- Full Metal Jacket Bullet
- Nickel-plated Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 529 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Underwood Ammo: 155 Grain XTP JHP
Underwood Ammo is known for producing power and reliability in its 10mm rounds. The 155 Grain XTP jacketed hollow point uses Hornady eXtreme Terminal Performance (XTP) bullets for deep penetration, accuracy and maximum controlled expansion.
Specifications:
- 1,500 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 155 Grain
- Hornady XTP Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
- Nickel-plated Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 774 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Large Game
Diehard fans of handgun hunting rely on few calibers to take down their prey. The top three are: .357, 10mm and .45 ACP.
The 10mm is frequently chosen over the .357 for its stopping power, and over the .45ACP because it’s slightly easier to handle. In fact, 10mm auto rounds serve as a good multi-purpose round.
Hunters seeking big game stick to bullets in the area of 150 to 220 grains, with 180 grains on average.
The best 10mm auto ammo for hunting large game includes:
Buffalo Bore: Heavy Outdoorsman 220 grain
Buffalo Bore is a top choice among hunters out for big game. Heavy Outdoorsman 220 grain bullet is ideal for penetrating tough hide and bone in everything from boar to elk to bear.
The muzzle energy allows the 10mm load to penetrate even the toughest critter at 25 yards, the maximum distance recommended for a semi-auto pistol.
Specifications:
- 1,200 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 220 Grain Trophy Bonded
- Jacketed Soft Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 651 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Doubletap: 180 Grain Controlled Expansion JHP
Doubletap is relatively new to the scene. Since 2002, Doubletap has been known for creating powerful ammunition using premium bullets. An excellent round for hunting, the Controlled Expansion JHP stands up to big game.
The cartridge has deep penetration and impressive controlled expansion.
Specifications:
- 1,305 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain Trophy Bonded
- Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 611 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Double Tap: 180 Grain Bonded Defense® JHP
Doubletap uses high quality components to deliver maximum performance. The company is a top producer of 10mm ammo. It uses a bonded core bullet to offer excellent penetration, maximum expansion, and terminal performance.
Each round is tested under strict guidelines by employees.
Specifications:
- 1,305 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain Trophy Bonded
- Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 681 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Federal Ammunition: 180-grain Trophy Bonded JSP
Federal introduces this new production 10mm round. Its ballistic gel test shows that it offers the power necessary for handgun hunting.
Hunting big game requires controlled expansion and deep penetration to be effective. The rounds are loaded into brass casings that are ideal for reloading.
Specifications:
- 1,275 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain Trophy Bonded
- Jacketed Soft Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 650 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Federal Premium: 180-grain Hydra-Shok JHP
Federal Premium manufactures a Hydra-Shok round that promises to stand up to medium and large game. The power is similar to a 40 S&W with excellent terminal performance.
Deep penetration and maximum controlled expansion make this round a great choice for handgun hunting.
Specifications:
- 1,030 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain Trophy Bonded
- Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
- Nickel-plated Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 424 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Fiocchi: Defense Dynamics Ammunition 10mm Auto 180 Grain JHP
Fiocchi is known for producing reliable, high quality and consistent handgun ammo. Defense Dynamics 180 Grain JHP is an excellent choice for hunting large game due to its velocity and controlled expansion.
Specifications:
- 1,250 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain
- Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 624 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Sig Sauer: V-Crown 180 Grain JHP
SIG V-Crown ammunition offers maximum stopping power. Its V-shaped main cavity is on top of a deep narrow trail giving maximum expansion, deep penetration, and superior weight retention. Reliability and dependability are optimal.
Specifications:
- 1,250 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain
- Full Metal Jacket Bullet
- Nickel-Plated Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 624 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Speer: Gold Dot Handgun Personal Protection 200 Grain HP
Gold Dot is always at the top with high quality, accurate and reliable ammunition. Speer introduced the 200 Grain HP round at the 2018 SHOT Show. This ammo has excellent terminal performance.
The ballistic gel tests show expansion up to .75”. This round is more than powerful enough to take down any prey in its sights.
Specifications:
- 1,100 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 200 Grain
- Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 537 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Underwood Ammo: 150 Grain Xtreme Hunter
Underwood refers to 150 grain Xtreme Hunter (XH) as the ultimate hunting round. It is new production from the popular Xtreme Defender line. The copper body and optimized nose flute helps the lightweight ammo reach maximum penetration.
It has an expansion rate of 100% and permanent wound cavity. The 150 grain bullet makes it easier to fire with minimal recoil. It’s an excellent round for reloading.
Specifications:
- 1,425 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 150 Grain
- Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 677 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Underwood Ammo: 200 Grain Hard Cast Flat Nose
Hard cast flat nose bullets are the top choice for hunting large game as well as fending off wild animals like bear and wild boar.
Flat nose bullets pierce tough hide and bone while maintaining a nose forward position which is vital for maximum penetration. Underwood Ammo uses flash suppressed powder to save your vision when firing in low light.
Specifications:
- 1,250 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 200 Grain
- Flat Nose Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 694 ft-lbs. Muzzle Energy
Conclusion
10mm auto ammo nearly became extinct after the introduction of the 40 S&W. Glock and Colt manufactured 10mm auto pistols which saved the day for Jeff Cooper’s creation.
Today, the 10mm cartridge is making a comeback in many areas: hunting, plinking, target shooting, self-defense and range training. It is still used by some law enforcement agencies.
The 10mm is a good all-round choice for multiple activities which helps maintain its popularity. Die-hard 10mm shooters swear by it for handgun hunting and have the records to prove that the round is here to stay.