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Common uses: Self-Defense, Hunting, Tactical
| Type | pistol (centerfire) |
| Typical load | 180gr Hornady Custom XTP |
| Muzzle velocity | 1275 fps |
| Muzzle energy | 650 ft-lb |
| Stored G1 ballistic coefficient (source unresolved) | 0.164 |
| Case length | 25.2 mm |
| Overall length | 1.26 in |
| Listed maximum pressure | 37500 PSI |
| Common twist rate | 1:16" |
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Drop (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1275 | 650 | -1.5 |
| 50 | 1144 | 523 | 0 |
| 100 | 1050 | 440 | -5.2 |
| 150 | 982 | 385 | -18.2 |
A retained-energy reference only — not a shoot/don't-shoot distance. Real effective range depends on your accuracy, shot placement, bullet construction, and conditions. The ~1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized) and ~1,500 ft-lb (elk-sized) figures are commonly cited rules of thumb, not standards.
Published BCs depend on a reference drag model and stated velocity conditions. A source review does not independently measure a BC. Understanding BC sources
Manufacturer item 9126 · Sources checked
Hornady lists 180 gr XTP, 1,275 fps and 650 ft-lb from a 5-inch test barrel. Its component catalog lists .400-inch 180 gr XTP item 40040 with coefficient .164 and sectional density .161.
Still unresolved: The component table does not unambiguously label this coefficient as G1/G7. The ammunition page does not print a component SKU; this review does not certify the stored coefficient model or exact component association.
Your barrel, ammunition lot, and conditions will differ — always verify against the manufacturer's data and your own firearm.
The 10mm Auto is prized as one of the most powerful mainstream semi-automatic pistol cartridges, delivering significantly more energy than the 9mm or .45 ACP at the cost of sharper recoil and a larger frame. It occupies a niche between conventional handgun rounds and magnum revolver cartridges, offering flat trajectory and deep penetration that make it credible for medium-game hunting and defense against large or dangerous animals. This has made it a favorite for backcountry carry against bears and hogs, often loaded with heavy hardcast or bonded bullets. For self-defense and duty use it is highly capable but demanding, since the recoil and muzzle blast challenge less-experienced shooters and factory loads vary widely, from mild "FBI-spec" pressures to full-power hunting rounds. Its resurgence has been driven by broad platform availability, including the Glock 20 and 1911-style pistols.
The 10mm Auto was championed by firearms authority Jeff Cooper and introduced in 1983, with Norma of Sweden loading the ammunition for the Bren Ten, the first pistol chambered for it. Cooper's goal was a semi-automatic cartridge that combined flat trajectory with heavy, penetrating bullets to outperform service rounds of the day. The FBI adopted it in 1989 following the 1986 Miami shootout, but the full-power load's recoil led the Bureau to a reduced "FBI load," which in turn inspired Smith & Wesson to develop the shorter .40 S&W. Though the FBI largely moved on, the 10mm endured and has seen a strong revival among enthusiasts and hunters.
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