CaliberAtlas › Compare › 10mm Auto vs .45 ACP

10mm Auto vs .45 ACP — Ballistics Compared

The representative loads shown for 10mm Auto and .45 ACP do not produce a large separation in the shared trajectory, energy, or wind rows below.

Representative loads use different bullet constructions (JHP vs Full Metal Jacket) — this is a ballistic comparison, not a terminal-performance comparison.

Figures use each cartridge's representative load, computed with our validated G1 model at standard conditions. Full tables and every load are on the cartridge pages: 10mm Auto ballistics · .45 ACP ballistics.

Pick 10mm Auto if…

your focus is hunting, which is listed for this cartridge but not the other profile

Pick .45 ACP if…

you want the heavier representative load shown in this pairing (230gr vs 180gr)
your focus is target, which is listed for this cartridge but not the other profile

Side-by-Side Specifications

	10mm Auto	.45 ACP
Representative load	180gr Hornady Custom XTP	230gr Winchester USA FMJ
Muzzle velocity	1275 fps	835 fps
Muzzle energy	650 ft-lb	356 ft-lb
G1 BC	0.164	0.157
Case length	25.2 mm	22.8 mm
Overall length	32 mm	32.4 mm
SAAMI max pressure	37,500 PSI	21,000 PSI
Common twist	1:16"	1:16"

Drop Comparison (inches)

	10mm Auto	.45 ACP
50 yd	0"	-1.8"
100 yd	-5.2"	-15.7"
150 yd	-18.2"	-44.5"

Retained Energy (ft-lb)

	10mm Auto	.45 ACP
50 yd	523 ft-lb	326 ft-lb
100 yd	440 ft-lb	299 ft-lb
150 yd	385 ft-lb	275 ft-lb

Wind Drift — 10 mph Full-Value (inches)

	10mm Auto	.45 ACP
50 yd	1.2"	0.8"
100 yd	4.7"	2.9"
150 yd	10"	6.6"

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