For my S&W1006, I have narrowed down the 10mmAuto self defense options in factory ammo to the Hornady180XTP @ 1180fps or the Corbon135Powerball @ 1400fps. This is about as much recoil I want for a good double tap. I would think that the faster Corbon might create more secondary missles if it hits bone due to its speed and it might feed better, but will it underpenetrate if it hits a rib or arm bone on entry? I would think the 180XTP has passed the test of time and may be a better penetrator, but is it prone to overpenetrate or poor feeding? This might just boil down to the speed vs weight argument.....

Deke.

Don't overlook the WW 175grST, also a proven round. The ultra fast/light rounds are great if you don't have any intermediate barriers to go thru.

fredj338,

The WW175 is a good choice, but intermediate barriers would be rare for my intended use (in my home with children I want to only shoot at an uncovered perp, in the parking lot the same would apply) and I want to be careful about overpenetration. By my calculations, the WW175 has about 15% more recoil than the other two. I prefer a fast and accurate double tap. In the woods the above won't be as important.

Deke.

Whomever gets shot might not know the difference, but would prefer you had used a .22.

Decided on the Horn 180XTP ammo. Figured the Corbon may have a tendacy to underpenetrate and the Hornady a tendacy to overpenetrate, but will risk overpenetration since you have to reach the vitals to have a good chance of stopping a perp.

Deke.

You are spending far too much time with 'numbers' and worrying about overpenetration. Any 10mm load will do the job well [any 40 will also !] Pick the round that is totally reliable.Then practice hitting the target .

Mete,

Don't know that "any" 10mm load will do the job. I am experienced enough to know this, but someone else just getting started might load up with FMJ's (good enough for the military, must be good enough for me......, etc.) and potentially punch holes through their walls and a couple of the neighbors walls (not to mention the neighbors). I know this too from my hunting experiences and since a cousin of mine was almost killed by a LEO's overpenetrating 357 that penetrated every wall in her house and had she not got out of her seat when the shooting had started (a 1/2 block away!) would have hit her sqare in the head. My time spent was on trying to figure out which round was "reliable" for feeding and terminal performance. Using my gun for self defense is somthing I am not afraid of, but a BIG responsibility that I want to do my best to do correctly for myself, the people I protect, and generally for all of us who believe in the 2nd.

Placed an order a couple of days ago for Hornady 180XTP which should do well. I also ordered reloading components for the practice you recomended and I also believe in.

BTW, for those of you that might be interested, Natcheszz has 10mmAuto Federal "primed" brass for $13.88/100pcs!

Deke.

If you are really worried about overpenetration you should have picked a 40 not a 10mm. Then gone to a lighter bullet [ many cops have given up the 180 gr because they don't need the penetration.] You could go down to 135 grain bullets and even use Corbon Glasers to minimize penetration......You can find extensive info on expansion/penetration/velocity of handgun rounds on www.stoppingpower.net

Mete,

Thanks for taking up this discussion since I value what you say and the stopingpower link was also helpful.

I would not say that I am "worried" about overpenetration, but I am aware of it, as I am aware of other things like underpenetration especially where there are intermediate barriers which I think would be unlikely in my situation, but you never know.....

I feel that using the 180XTP is erring on the safe side since after feeding, I need enough penetration. The downside is it has a risk of overpenetration. If it ever misfeeds, I will stop using it. I like this better than the possible underpenetration scenario.

Deke.