What the crap is up with this?

[hillbillyhans]

Why do people buy a 10mm, then shoot 180gr. .40 ammo out of it, and call it 10mm? I don't get it. This crap is all they sell at my LGS. To me the lightest weight round  for the 10mm needs to be 200gr. Leave the .40 for the unequals!

[uz2bUSMC]

People won't stop buying it so it continues to be made. The manufacturers have to love it, selling a tall .40 at elevated prices... must be nice. That's like ford badging a v-6 mustang with the cobra emblem and people buy it at cobra prices. WTF?

[The_Shadow]

That is but only one the reason I have handloaded my own ammo...the other reasons also weigh with equal magnitude!
In no particular order.....Cost, Performance, Accuracy, Match Grade quality, Flexibility, Cleaner burning, Supply myself with the best   

[hillbillyhans]

I'm reading about people loading the 180's. Is this just what people have accepted as "the" 10mm load?

[REDLINE]

Why do people buy a 10mm, then shoot 180gr. .40 ammo out of it, and call it 10mm? I don't get it. This crap is all they sell at my LGS. To me the lightest weight round  for the 10mm needs to be 200gr. Leave the .40 for the unequals!

I'm reading about people loading the 180's. Is this just what people have accepted as "the" 10mm load?

Not all of us have an interest in heavy for caliber bullets.  Easily handling bullets heavier than 180gr is only one attribute of the 10mm Auto over 40 S&W.  There's also added velocity no matter what bullet weight is chosen.  I personally have little intererst in 180gr and heavier.  I much rather prefer a 165gr load at an honest 1400fps.

10mm 165gr @ 1400fps = 718 ft-lbs
10mm 200gr @ 1250fps = 694 ft-lbs
40S&W 180gr @ 1020fps = 416 ft-lbs

[Taterhead]

I'm reading about people loading the 180's. Is this just what people have accepted as "the" 10mm load?

I mostly shoot 180s. I feel that it is a pretty good all-around bullet weight. I carry 200s when in the backcountry when deep penetration takes priority over the higher muzzle energy that can be had with lighter bullets.

[michael e]

180 is in stock for my bulk bullet buys,   main reason I use it.   I play with heavy loads but like to go all around in my loadings.    Half the fun or reloading to me.

[The_Shadow]

I think the main reason stems from FBI/LEO & defensive use (180gr @980 fps) where pass thru shots are considered a hazard in Close Quarter Operating environments.  But clearly not up to the ballistic potential of this fine cartridge!

[DM1906]

Simple solution:  Don't buy LGS ammo.  Either roll your own, or pay someone else (Underwood, etc.) to do it for you if you want more power.  It's no more complicated than that.

As far as bullet weight choice, that all depends on your objective, finances and/or abilities.  I use mostly 180's for a few reasons.  One is power (easy to cross the 800 mark with a short barrel, not as easy with 200+), another is availability, then versatility.  10mm Auto isn't the only ".40" I shoot, and some of them need to stretch out way past 1800 FPS (can't do that with a 200 XTP, reliably).  More bullet energy at distance, and much flatter shooting.  I don't care to go lighter than that, and it works for MY objectives.  I'm working on another .40 caliber cartridge using a 210 gr. than may cross over to the 10mm.  If it works in the 10mm, it'll be a bonus, not a goal.

[Bro KV]

I mostly kill paper with 155/165 ammo

[sqlbullet]

My objective in owning 10mm is the most flexibility in a single cartridge.  I certainly handload my fair share of stuff down at or even below 40 S&W ballistics.  It gives me a good load to give to my 9 year old, or even 7 year old son when they want to shoot a big gun.  Or for starting out an adult shooter when they have learned some basics on a 22.

I also handload some really hot loads for when I hike in the rockies and don't know what I might need my 10mm to do.

I don't really have the budget to own a handgun in every caliber I want, and a 10mm + handloading gives me huge versatility in what the gun can do.

As far as what LGS stock and sell, they place large orders with major mfg's in order to get price discounts.  Tossing a couple thousand rounds of watered down 10mm on the order fills a spot on the shelf for guys that ask for 10mm, and deepens the discount on the 10 pallets of 40 S&W they are buying too.  Not always the best for the consumer, but it is what it is.