About 10mm Ammo
Created by Lt Colonel Jeff Cooper in 1983, 10mm ammo emerged as a collaboration to address the FBI's need for a more robust semi-automatic round.
The catalyst for its development was the infamous 1986 Miami shootout, after which the FBI sought a cartridge with superior penetration and terminal performance than their standard-issue 9mm and 38 Special.
Manufactured by the Swedish company Norma, 10mm bullets propelled a 200-grain bullet at a velocity of 1,200 feet per second, significantly outperforming traditional handgun cartridges in energy and trajectory.
10mm ammo measures 10.17mm (.400 inch) and sits in a rimless, straight-walled casing that's .992 inches long.
Together, they measure 1.250 inches, according to the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI).
Dornaus & Dixon designed the Bren Ten as the first pistol to chamber the new cartridge. However, Smith & Wesson's Model 1076 brought 10mm Auto into law enforcement.
Unfortunately, the cartridge's recoil proved too vigorous for some FBI agents, prompting the development of a less potent load. This modification ultimately gave rise to the 40 S&W, a more manageable cartridge for broader adoption in law enforcement.
Today, the modern expansion of firearms from brands like Glock and Colt, which support 10mm, has helped grow the ammunition's popularity.
Despite its niche status, 10mm Auto remains favored among handgun-hunting enthusiasts and those seeking a more powerful self-defense round.
Common Names for 10mm Auto
Since its initial release over 35 years ago, 10mm ammunition has had many different name variations. Some of the most common include:
- 10mm
- 10mm Ammo
- 10mm Caliber
- 10mm Automatic
- 10mm Auto
- 10mm FBI
Regardless of your preferred terminology, 10mm ammo has come a long way and gained its fair share of popularity over the years and why it's available in the lineup of every major American ammo manufacturer.
Popular 10mm Ammo Brands
Federal Premium
Known for their high-quality Personal Defense and hunting rounds, including the HST and Trophy Bonded lines.
Federal American Eagle
Known for producing reliable and affordable 10mm ammo, American Eagle is ideal for target training and range shooting, with a focus on consistent performance.
Sig Sauer
Their Elite Performance Ammunition is engineered to match the superior quality of their firearms, with V-Crown jacketed hollow points for defense and FMJ rounds for training.
Winchester
A storied brand in the ammunition industry with offerings like the Defender for personal defense and Super-X for hunting.
Remington
Their UMC line offers reliable and affordable FMJ rounds for practice, while their High Terminal Performance (HTP) line is designed for self-defense.
Fiocchi
Provides a variety of 10mm ammo that balances performance and value, suitable for both practice and hunting.
PMC
Produces reliable and affordable 10mm ammo that's suitable for a broad range of shooting activities, including practice and self-defense.
Sellier & Bellot
A European manufacturer that offers a range of 10mm ammo, known for consistent performance and reliability.
Armscor
Provides budget-friendly 10mm ammunition that doesn't sacrifice quality, making it a popular choice for routine target shooting.
Common 10mm Ammunition Types
Below is a list of the most common types and variations of 10mm ammunition available on the market.
Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
Often used for range shooting and training, FMJ rounds offer good penetration and are typically the most affordable option.
Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
Designed for self-defense, JHP bullets expand upon impact, creating a larger wound channel to stop threats more effectively.
Ballistic Tip
These are designed for hunting and self-defense, featuring a polymer tip that enhances accuracy and initiates expansion upon impact.
Soft Point (SP)
Soft point bullets offer a balance between penetration and expansion and are suitable for hunting medium-sized game.
Bonded Core
Bonded core bullets maintain their mass upon impact, ensuring deep penetration, which is essential for hunting larger game.
Frangible
Frangible rounds are designed to disintegrate upon impact with hard targets, reducing the risk of ricochet. They are used for training and specialized tactical situations.
Lead Round Nose (LRN)
A traditional design for a bullet, often used for target practice due to lower cost, but not typically recommended for self-defense.
Lead-Free
For environments where lead ammunition is prohibited, these rounds use alternative materials like copper or a copper alloy.
10mm Ammunition Features
HIGH POWER
10mm ammo delivers high power, making it an effective choice for self-defense and hunting medium to large game.
FLAT TRAJECTORY
10mm typically has a flat trajectory, which allows for accurate shooting at longer ranges.
PENETRATION
10mm typically has good penetration, allowing it to penetrate deeply into a target.
LOW RECOIL
While 10mm Auto can produce significant recoil, it is generally less than other high-powered pistol cartridges, making it easier to shoot accurately for extended periods of time.
RANGE
With its high velocity and flat trajectory, 10mm ammunition is effective at longer ranges than many other handgun calibers.
AVAILABILITY
While not as widely available as 9mm ammunition, 10mm ammo is still relatively easy to find at most gun shops and online retailers. Additionally, buying bulk 10mm ammo can also save you money in the long run.
Popular 10mm Guns
FN 510 Tactical
FN's robust and newly designed pistol that is tailored for the tactical shooter, offering a high-capacity magazine and various features like a threaded barrel for suppressor use.
Sig Sauer P220 Legion
A premium pistol that brings Sig Sauer’s renowned quality and ergonomics to the powerful 10mm Auto.
Sig Sauer P320 XTEN
An addition to the highly modular P320 line, the XTEN offers the ergonomics and customization options of the platform, now adapted for the potent 10mm Auto cartridge.
Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0
A full-size pistol that combines the ergonomic design and shootability of the M&P series with the powerful ballistics of the 10mm Auto.
Ruger SR1911
This 1911-style pistol from Ruger gives fans of the platform a rugged and reliable option for shooting the 10mm Auto.
Glock 29 Gen4
A compact model that provides significant firepower in a concealable package, making it ideal for both concealed carry and as a backup for hunters.
Rock Island Armory Rock Ultra FS
A more budget-conscious 1911 that still offers a reliable and solid performance with the 10mm Auto cartridge.
Glock 20 Gen4
Known for its reliability and capacity, the Glock 20 is a standard among 10mm handguns and is favored for its versatility in both self-defense and hunting scenarios.
Kriss Vector Gen2 CRB
A carbine with a distinctive recoil mitigation system, making it one of the most innovative platforms for shooting the 10mm round with reduced felt recoil and increased control.
Hi-Point 1095TS Edge
An affordable carbine option for the 10mm Auto, offering a fun and different shooting experience with a pistol caliber carbine.
10mm Ammo FAQs
QUESTION: What is 10mm ammo used for?
ANSWER: 10mm ammo is a powerful pistol round commonly used by law enforcement personnel and some armed forces members worldwide. Over the years, 10mm ammunition has become a popular choice for personal protection, home defense, and is even used as a hunting handgun (or backup firearm for big game) by some firearm owners.
QUESTION: What are the different types of 10mm Ammo?
ANSWER: Like most handgun ammunition, 10mm ammo is available in a variety of configurations. FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) and JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point) are the most popular styles available for sale on the market and are made by all the major manufacturers.
QUESTION: What is the best 10mm ammo for self-defense?
ANSWER: Although 10mm ammo is powerful enough to stop a threat, certain types like FMJ (full metal jacket) rounds can easily over-penetrate targets. To help reduce this risk, many owners opt for JHP (jacketed hollow points), which expand more on impact, slowing the bullet.
In addition, 10mm ammunition specialty rounds, such as Hornady Critical Duty or Speer Gold Dot, offer precision ballistics and top performance for any situation.
QUESTION: Does 10mm Ammo have a lot of recoil?
ANSWER: To the unknowing firearm owner, 10mm ammo is often considered a similar substitution for 9mm, but firing a 10mm handgun can be a drastic experience. Unlike 9mm ammunition that produces a quick but firm shove, 10mm ammo gives you all its recoil at once, with a much sharper, more intense feeling against the hands.
QUESTION: What grain is best for 10mm Ammo?
ANSWER: Depending on your desired use, there are many great options when purchasing 10mm ammo. Available in 180-grain FMJ, Magtech Sport 10mm auto ammo is perfect for throwing some practice rounds downrange. If you're searching for personal defense, the 200-grain JHP with skived jacket by Federal Personal Defense is a reliable round made with high-quality components.
QUESTION: Is 10mm ammunition more expensive than other handgun calibers?
ANSWER: 10mm ammunition is typically more expensive than 9mm or .45 ACP ammunition, but is often less expensive than larger calibers like .357 Magnum or .44 Magnum.
QUESTION: What is the muzzle velocity of 10mm ammunition?
ANSWER: The muzzle velocity of 10mm ammunition can vary depending on the specific load, but typically ranges from 1,100 to 1,400 feet per second.