10 MM AUTO

I RECENTLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK UP SOME LOADS FOR THE 10MM AUTO. THESE ARE NOT WIMPY 10MM LIGHT, SHOULD OF BOUGHT A 40 s&W IN THE FIRST PLACE, LOADS. THESE ARE FULL HOUSE, MAKE THE CARTRIDGE DO WHAT jEFF COOPER DESIGNED IT TO DO, LOADS. 

I HAVE BEEN RELOADING METALLIC CARTRIDGES FOR CENTERFIRE RIFLES AND PISTOLS FOR  OVER 26 YEARS. I HAVE BOOKSHELVES FULL OF RELOADING DATA. I HAVE A HIGHLY REFINED  PROCEDURE FOR WORKING UP, AND TESTING LOADS. IT  INVOLVING  SCIENTIFIC PROCESSES  AS WELL AS SOME SEAT OF THE PANTS, FEELING IN PIT OF YOUR STOMACH METHODS. DO NOT USE THE LOADING DATA AS STATED ON THIS SIGHT TO RELOAD FOR YOURSELF. YOUR RESULTS MAY VARY LIKE BLOWING YOUR FIREARM UP IN YOUR FACE. THIS COULD RESULT IN RIPPING YOUR BLOODY HEAD OFF AND KILLING YOU IN A LOUD AND GROTESQUE MANOR. I GIVE THIS DATA ON THE IDEA THAT IT MAY REVEAL UNDISCOVERED POTENTIAL IN A POWDER, A BULLET WEIGHT OR THE CALIBER ITSELF. YOU MUST THEN CONSULT CURRENT DATA FOR SAFE STARTING AND MAXIMUM LOADS.

These loads were tested in a GLOCK 20C. I used Winchester brass which was full length resize. I loaded the ammo using my Dillon RL550B progressive press. Test firing was done in an undisclosed location in the Albuquerque NM area. The elevation was 5300 feet per my GPS, the temperature was 65 and I had an egg, bacon and green chili breakfast burrito and a 44 oz. Diet Dr Pepper on the way out to our secret proving grounds. I used a PACT Model 1 chronograph set up 10 feet from the muzzle of the handgun.

200 Gr. Hornady XTP (The bullet weight the 10mm was designed to shoot) 

Accuracy seemed good as I was able to put most shots in a 1 foot in diameter circle at 25 yard without even trying.

180 Gr. Speer Gold Dot

Accuracy also seemed good.

Test of bullet performance.

I decided to test the performance of the Hornady XTP 200 Gr. bullet. What I was looking for was good expansion and weight retention so it will penetrate enough to cause a deep wound cavity. Not so much that it exits and cause unintended harm or damage.  The media I used to stop the bullet and check expansion was water which was contained in 1 gallon milk jugs. I line them up side by side. I fired from about 12 feet away (as not to get wet). Here is the result:

* 6 inches thick with two layers 1/16 inch plastic.

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