CaliberAtlas › Compare › 10mm Auto vs .45 ACP

10mm Auto vs .45 ACP — Ballistics Compared

10mm Auto shoots flatter with these representative loads: 19.8" vs 48.4" of drop at 150 yards. 10mm Auto carries more energy downrange: 342 vs 230 ft-lb retained at 150 yards. .45 ACP drifts less in a 10 mph crosswind: 11.4" vs 12.6" at 150 yards. Expect noticeably more recoil from 10mm Auto in comparable firearms — its muzzle energy is 83% higher.

Figures use each cartridge's representative factory 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…

you want the flatter trajectory (19.8" vs 48.4" at 150 yd)
you want more retained energy at distance (342 vs 230 ft-lb at 150 yd)
your focus is hunting

Pick .45 ACP if…

you're recoil-sensitive or shooting high volume
your focus is target

Side-by-Side Specifications

	10mm Auto	.45 ACP
Representative load	180gr Hornady Custom 180 gr XTP	230gr Winchester USA 230 gr 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"	-1.9"
100 yd	-5.6"	-16.8"
150 yd	-19.8"	-48.4"

Retained Energy (ft-lb)

	10mm Auto	.45 ACP
50 yd	495 ft-lb	306 ft-lb
100 yd	404 ft-lb	265 ft-lb
150 yd	342 ft-lb	230 ft-lb

Wind Drift — 10 mph Full-Value (inches)

	10mm Auto	.45 ACP
50 yd	1.6"	1.3"
100 yd	5.9"	5.1"
150 yd	12.6"	11.4"

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