Reloading 10mm

[natomasboy]

Hi all -

I'm considering purchasing a new gun and since I already have the .40SW dies I'm considering a 10mm. I know the .40SW intended to replace the 10mm but what can I say I'm being drawn more and more to big-bore!

Drawbacks I see are harder to find brass and I would have to purchase LP primers.

Anybody here load for both? I've never fired a 10mm but wanted to know how they compare to the .40SW shooting-wise and if it's a good move to go up to 10mm.

[buffybuster]

I load for both. I'm not sure what you're asking. Full power 10mm loads have greater recoil, blast and power than 40SW load (obviously). While you can get a 40SW conversion barrel for a 10mm pistol, the reverse is not true. So if you already have a 40SW pistol, you will have to buy another pistol in 10mm.

The reloading dies are the same (just like .38Spl/.357Mag and .44Spl/.44Mag) but the primer sizes are different (I wish Norma would have made the 10mm with the small primer, I see no reason for a LP). 10mm brass is significantly harder to come by and usually costs more.

Whether it's a "good" move to go up to the 10mm; if you want it, that should be reason good enough.

[natomasboy]

Buffy,

If you had just the .40sw would you get the 10mm or .45ACP?

[buffybuster]

Buffy,

If you had just the .40sw would you get the 10mm or .45ACP?

The .45ACP is another animal. The .45ACP is a big bore cartridge but IMO it's much easier to shoot than either the .40SW or 10mm, because the .45ACP is a low pressure cartridge and isn't "snappy" in recoil (except +P 185's). Energy-wise the 40SW and .45ACP are very similar. Full power 10mm is significantly more powerful than either (top end .357Mag/mid-range .41Mag).

If I already had a .40SW, I would get a .45ACP because EVERYONE should have at least one. Ideally, I would have a 10mm pistol with a .40SW conversion barrel and another pistol in .45ACP, just because it's the AMERICAN thing to do.

[PistolPete75]

10mm brass is super expensive. Go with a common cartridge like the 45 ACP. Much more practical and easier to find reloading components.

[Ugly Dwarf]

Another point when considering a 10mm, using the fact that you already load for .40 and have the dies as a motivator...

The dies are set differently (.40 is essentially a 10mm Short), so you'll need to adjust them each time you change over. This shouldn't be an issue if you're using a single stage press, but would be a pain if you reload on a Dillon (or other removable toolhead progressive). Maybe this isn't an issue for you, but when I've considered buying a .40, I've reminded myself that I would eventually need a second tool head and die set.

I'll agree with the above that 10mm brass is MUCH harder to find at the range and MUCH more expensive to replace. That is my one pet peeve about shooting 10mm... the compulsive need to get every last piece of brass and the extreme sadness I feel when I lose one.

When I lose 9mm or .45 brass, I realize I'll find 50 more to replace them the next time I'm at the range. I've found perhaps 200 pieces of 10mm range brass since I started collecting it 5 years ago. If you want a 10mm get one, but I wounldn't do it because of the cost savings on a set of dies. It's a great pistol with plenty of power (for an autoloader), but it's not the gun to shoot on a budget.

[M47_Dragon]

I'm considering purchasing a new gun and since I already have the .40SW dies I'm considering a 10mm.

Perhaps a S&W 610? Can shoot both .40 and 10mm. Uses moonclips so you can keep all of your brass.

[guns_and_labs]

While you can get a 40SW conversion barrel for a 10mm pistol, the reverse is not true. So if you already have a 40SW pistol, you will have to buy another pistol in 10mm.

Not necessarily true. The Para P16/40 can be converted to 10mm quite easily. I suspect the STIs and SVIs can, too, though I haven't tried.

[waltrich]

Another point when considering a 10mm, using the fact that you already load for .40 and have the dies as a motivator...

The dies are set differently (.40 is essentially a 10mm Short), so you'll need to adjust them each time you change over. This shouldn't be an issue if you're using a single stage press, but would be a pain if you reload on a Dillon (or other removable toolhead progressive). Maybe this isn't an issue for you, but when I've considered buying a .40, I've reminded myself that I would eventually need a second tool head and die set.

You can buy spacers that alleviate this issue. RCBS includes them in their carbide die sets for both .40/10mm and .38/.357...

[Mntngoat]

the 610's are sweet Wish i never sold mine. But iam in line to have my Ruger black hawk rebarreled to 10mm. I shoot a custom Caspian in 10 mm and could not be happier with it. Buy starline brass and pick up your emptys. No big deal.


ML

[maschronic]

i'll be reloading 10mm once i get enough brass to do so. i don't have that much right now. maybe around 60. i have about 3k of 40 to load.

[natomasboy]

Perhaps a S&W 610? Can shoot both .40 and 10mm. Uses moonclips so you can keep all of your brass.

Wow! That is sweet! This is perfect since I don't have a revolver yet.. any other revolvers that shoot both 10mm/40SW?

[qaz987]

Try Starline for brass.

[Ugly Dwarf]

You can buy spacers that alleviate this issue. RCBS includes them in their carbide die sets for both .40/10mm and .38/.357...

Interesting concept. Can you provide any information or a link that explains how that works and how you would use them?

[waltrich]

Interesting concept. Can you provide any information or a link that explains how that works and how you would use them?

Yeah, a little bit...

Click here: https://www.rcbs.com/downloads/instr...structions.pdf

After you have the pdf, go to page 4 and look at the bottom left hand corner in the black box. It gives a brief explaination...