10mm for Hunting | What are the Benefits and Which Game is it Used for?

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The Glock pistol
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What Does a 10mm for Hunting Look Like?

A 10mm for hunting looks like a small, handheld gun. It is typically made of metal, with a trigger and a magazine. The size and design of the gun may vary depending on the manufacturer, but it will typically be small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. 

It has an adjustable rear sight and a fixed front sight. The magazine holds eight rounds of ammunition, and the gun is usually chambered for the 10mm caliber.

It has a long slide with 6 inches barrels, and it has an overall length of 7.87 inches and a sight radius of 7.85 inches.

It weighs 29.8 ounces empty and has a capacity of 15+1 rounds.

The extra barrel length gives the gun more velocity and accuracy. In addition, the extra weight helps to absorb recoil. The capacity is also increased, which is helpful for hunters who need to shoot multiple rounds in a single session.

gun and bullets

Why Is a 10mm Handgun Used for Hunting?

It is a rimless, straight-walled pistol cartridge introduced in 1983 by Jeff Cooper. It was originally designed for hunting. The 10mm auto is one of the most powerful pistol cartridges available.

It has more muzzle velocity than the .357 Magnum and the .44 Magnum. As a result, the 10mm auto can shoot accurately more than the larger cartridges.

The 10mm auto is a powerful cartridge for hunting, plinking, and self or home defense. The 10mm auto is a great choice for hunters who want a powerful, accurate, versatile cartridge. 

Why is 10mm Hunting Popular for Handgun Hunting?

The 10mm cartridge is popular for hunting because

  • It has enough power, ideally suited for taking down small to medium game animals.

  • It's also a relatively light and compact handgun cartridge, making it easy to carry in the field.

  • The 10mm also has good penetration because of its powerful cartridge.

  • It has high velocity and light bullet weight.

However, it has some setbacks, which include:

  • The risk of over-penetration: Hollow point bullets can fragment on impact, which can cause them to penetrate further than intended and potentially injure or kill someone beyond the target. It's important to be aware of what's beyond your target and choose a bullet weight and velocity that will minimize the risk of over-penetration.

  • It doesn't have the stopping power of some larger calibers

  • It has relatively low recoil, making it a good option for shooters of all experience levels and practical target shooting.

a person in the gun store

Shot Placement for 10mm Hunting Pistol

As with any caliber, shot placement is crucial when hunting with a 10mm. The light bullet weight means that it doesn't have a lot of mass to penetrate deep into the animal, so you'll need to make a clean shot if you want to take down your quarry. On the other hand, a well-placed shot to the animals' vitals will usually result in a quick, humane kill. This goes for 10mm for deer hunting, as well.

How to Choose the Best 10mm for Deer Hunting

When looking for the best 10mm for deer hunting ammunition, go with a cartridge that provides both sufficient power and solid bullet construction. Among the options available, Buffalo Bore's Heavy 10mm Ammunition is often considered a top choice for its reliable stopping power and deep penetration, making it an excellent option for deer hunting.

In addition, Underwood Ammo's 10mm cartridges are highly regarded for their robust loads and superior penetration, making them a reliable choice for those venturing into hunting with 10mm.

What Bullets are Best Suited for use in a 10mm Hunting Cartridge?

When selecting a 10mm hunting cartridge, pay attention to the bullet's weight and velocity. Choose a load that's appropriate for the game you're hunting, and be aware of over-penetration risks. With the right 10mm load, you can take down the game at close to medium range.

The 10mm cartridge is typically loaded with hollow or soft point bullets designed to expand on impact. As a result, it can help increase the size of the wound and improve your chances of a successful kill. However, it's important to remember that over-penetration is a risk with hollow-point bullets, so you'll need to know what's beyond your target.

The best bullet weights are in the 140-180 grain range for hunting. These bullets will offer a good balance of velocity and mass and provide enough penetration to reach the vitals of most game animals.

You can also find 10mm ammunition loaded with heavier 200+ grain bullets, but these are generally better suited for self-defense.

As for velocity, you'll want to choose a load that produces around 1,200-1,300 feet per second (fps) at the muzzle. It will give you good energy downrange without over-stressing your gun or increasing the risk of bullet fragmentation.

Our Reccomendation

The Glock pistol
  • A powerful, easy carry pistol
  • Magazine capacity of 15 rounds
  • Semi-automatic pistol

Will a 10mm Take Down a Black Bear?

Yes, a 10mm can take down a black bear. The 10mm cartridge has plenty of power for taking down small to medium game animals, and with the right bullet weight and velocity, it can penetrate deep into the animal to reach the vitals. Shot placement is crucial when hunting with a 10mm, so be sure to make a clean shot if you want to take down your quarry. A well-placed shot to the vitals will usually result in a quick, humane kill.

Can 10mm Stop a Bear?

While the 10mm cartridge has plenty of power for taking down small to medium game animals, it's not necessarily the best choice for stopping a big game animal such as a bear or a whitetail deer.

The light bullet weight means that it doesn't have a lot of mass to penetrate deep into the animal, so you'll need to make a clean shot if you want to stop a bear in its tracks.

A well-placed shot to the vitals will usually result in a quick, humane kill. However, if you're not confident in your shooting abilities or are up against a particularly large bear, you may want to choose a different caliber.

a bear in the wood

Can You Hunt Elk with 10mm?

The 10mm cartridge has enough power to take down an elk, but it's important to choose the right bullet weight and velocity for your needs. Too much speed can cause the bullet to disintegrate on impact. Also, an elk is tougher game, so you'll need to make a clean shot if you want to take it down.

The bottom line is that the 10mm can be an effective hunting cartridge if used correctly. Be sure to choose the right bullet weight and velocity for your needs, and make a clean shot if you want to take down your quarry. With the right 10mm load, you can take down the game at close to medium range.

Types of 10mm for Hunting Ammunition.

There are two main types of 10mm ammunition:

  • Full power: Full power 10mm rounds are typically used for hunting, while reduced power ammo is better suited for self-defense. Full power 10mm ammunition can range from around 700 ft/lbs of energy up to 1,200 ft/lbs. It lacks the red dot sight.
  • Reduced power 10mm ammunition is typically around half as powerful as full power ammo. Therefore, it is a better choice for self-defense, as it is less likely to over-penetrate and cause collateral damage. However, reduced power 10mm rounds are not ideal for hunting, as they may not have enough power to take down game animals humanely.

10mm Pistols with Three Brands of Ammunition

The following are striker-fired pistols:

  • Winchester Silvertip
  • Federal Premium Hydra-Shok
  • Remington Golden Saber.
  • SIG SAUER elite
3 ammo packages

Best 10mm Handguns for Hunting

Kimber Super Jager - The Best 10mm Pistol for Hunting

The Kimber Super Jager is a great option for a 10mm pistol for hunting. This pistol is designed specifically for full power 10mm ammunition and has a muzzle energy of 1,200 ft/lbs. It is also equipped with a 6-inch barrel, which gives it excellent accuracy.

a handgun
Glock 20, 29 and 40 models

Glock model 20,29 and 40

The Glock 20, 29, and 40 are all great choices for a 10mm pistol for handgun hunting. These are pistols designed for full power 10mm ammunition and have a muzzle energy of 1,200 ft/lbs. They are also equipped with a 4-inch barrel, making them more compact and easy to carry.

Springfield Armory XD(M)

The Springfield Armory XD(M) is another great choice for a 10mm pistol for hunting. This pistol is designed for full power 10mm ammunition and has a muzzle energy of 1,200 ft/lbs. It is also equipped with a 5.25-inch barrel, making it more accurate than other pistols on this list.

a handgun
a handgun

CZ 75

The CZ 75 is a great choice for a 10mm pistol for hunting. This pistol is designed for full power 10mm ammunition and has a muzzle energy of 1,200 ft/lbs. It is also equipped with a 4.6-inch barrel, making it more compact and easy to carry.

Nighthawk Custom Talon II

The Nighthawk Custom Talon II is a great choice for those looking for a 10mm pistol for hunting. This pistol is designed for full power 10mm ammunition and has a muzzle energy of 1,200 ft/lbs. It is also equipped with a nighthawk long slide and a 6-inch barrel, which gives it excellent accuracy.

a handgun

If you are looking for a 10mm pistol for hunting, choose one designed for full-power ammunition. Many 10mm pistols can fire both full power and reduced power ammo, but they are not all created equal. In addition, some pistols may not be able to handle the recoil of full power 10mm rounds, so it is important to do your Armory Life research before making a purchase.

Our Reccomendation

The Glock pistol
  • A powerful, easy carry pistol
  • Magazine capacity of 15 rounds
  • Semi-automatic pistol

4 thoughts on “10mm for Hunting | What are the Benefits and Which Game is it Used for?”

  1. No, an Elk is not a “deer size game”. Elk are SIGNIFICANTLY tougher than whitetail or mule deer(which are pretty tough as it is). While the 10mm most likely is up to the task of dispatching an elk, you had better be at bow ranges, or inside of 30yds.

    Reply
    • Thanks Clinton!

      Please elaborate. In your own words and in your own experience, thanks. I’m sure that would be useful for our readers.

      Reply

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