Practice & target
Full-metal-jacket, plated, lead, and wadcutter bullets describe different constructions. Grain weight is projectile mass; it does not state a powder charge or guarantee recoil.
THE CARTRIDGE LIBRARY · PISTOL
10mm Auto
A rimless .40-caliber semiautomatic-pistol cartridge with a longer case than .40 S&W. Factory ammunition spans varied bullet weights and velocity levels.
2A Ledger reference desk · Sources checked October 18, 2026
Read the dimensions
- Overall · min–max
- 1.240–1.260 in
31.496–32.004 mm - Case length · max
- 0.992 in
25.197 mm - Bullet maximum
- 0.4005 in
10.173 mm - Rim diameter · max
- 0.425 in
10.795 mm
Know the exact name
At a glance
- Cartridge family
- Pistol
- Bullet specification
- 0.4005 in / 10.173 mmBullet maximum
- Factory examples
- 19 loadsSelected, sourced examples below
- Weight in cited examples
- 135–205 grGrains measure mass, not powder charge
10mm Auto is identified by its complete cartridge designation. The resource-table alternative is 10 mm Automatic. A caliber number, bullet diameter, or family resemblance on its own does not identify ammunition compatibility.
10mm Auto and .40 S&W are separate cartridges. A shared bullet diameter does not authorize a shorter-cartridge substitution.
Dimensions: open the exact dimensional drawing ↗. The displayed number is bullet maximum, rather than an assertion that every manufactured projectile or barrel has this exact diameter.
Origins & evolution
Background & development
The 10 mm Auto was introduced in 1983 with the Bren Ten pistol from Dornaus & Dixon. The project incorporated ideas associated with Jeff Cooper, while Norma supplied the first commercial ammunition. It sought a powerful automatic-pistol cartridge in a platform influenced by the CZ 75.
Production and delivery problems undermined the Bren Ten business, leaving the cartridge’s future uncertain when Dornaus & Dixon failed. Colt’s introduction of the Delta Elite in 1987 gave the 10 mm an important second chance, followed by Smith & Wesson automatic pistols and its Model 610 revolver. The cartridge’s later history included reduced-performance law-enforcement ammunition and, ultimately, the separate .40 S&W project. Its survival is therefore not simply the story of a powerful new round succeeding immediately. It is a cartridge that outlived its troubled launch platform and found additional markets through other manufacturers.
Historical sources: Sierra: 10mm Auto cartridge history ↗
Construction changes the story
Loads, variations & specialty offerings
Expanding factory bullets
JHP, XTP, FTX, HST, and similar product names refer to particular designs. Muzzle energy alone does not show expansion, penetration, or reliability in a particular firearm.
Specialty load families
Reduced-recoil, subsonic, monolithic, and heavier-bullet offerings are product-specific. A +P marking is a pressure category where standardized, not simply a heavier bullet. Follow the maker’s exact product and firearm guidance.
In the cited 10mm Auto examples, bullet weights are 135, 150, 155, 175, 180, 200, 203, 205 grains. These are the weights actually present in this source selection, not a claim that every possible loading is listed.
Bullet construction background: Hornady: anatomy of a bullet ↗. Exact product descriptions and velocities are cited in the factory table.
From the factory catalog
135 grains
1,315 fps
MonoFlex®
155 grains
1,410 fps
XTP®
180 grains
1,030 fps
FMJ
Compare all 19 cited factory load records
| Maker / product | Bullet mass | Published construction | Muzzle velocity | Test barrel | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady91267 | 135 gr 8.75 g | MonoFlex® | 1,315 fps 401 m/s | 5 in | Hornady · PDF p. 191 ↗ |
| Hornady91258 | 150 gr 9.72 g | FTX® | 1,220 fps 372 m/s | 5 in | Hornady · PDF p. 191 ↗ |
| Hornady9122 | 155 gr 10.04 g | XTP® | 1,410 fps 430 m/s | 5 in | Hornady · PDF p. 191 ↗ |
| Hornady91224 | 155 gr 10.04 g | XTP® | 1,410 fps 430 m/s | 5 in | Hornady · PDF p. 191 ↗ |
| Hornady91256 | 175 gr 11.34 g | FlexLock® | 1,160 fps 354 m/s | 5 in | Hornady · PDF p. 191 ↗ |
| FederalAE10A | 180 gr 11.66 g | FMJ | 1,030 fps 314 m/s | 5 in | Federal · PDF p. 61 ↗ |
| FederalP10T1 | 180 gr 11.66 g | TROPHY BONDED JSP | 1,275 fps 389 m/s | 5 in | Federal · PDF p. 60 ↗ |
| FederalTP10VHP1 | 180 gr 11.66 g | JHP | 1,175 fps 358 m/s | 5 in | Federal · PDF p. 61 ↗ |
| FederalWM5221 | 180 gr 11.66 g | FMJ | 1,200 fps 366 m/s | 5 in | Federal · PDF p. 61 ↗ |
| Hornady9126 | 180 gr 11.66 g | XTP® | 1,275 fps 389 m/s | 5 in | Hornady · PDF p. 191 ↗ |
| FederalC10A | 200 gr 12.96 g | JHP | 1,110 fps 338 m/s | 5 in | Federal · PDF p. 60 ↗ |
| FederalF10FS1 | 200 gr 12.96 g | FUSION SP | 1,200 fps 366 m/s | 5 in | Federal · PDF p. 61 ↗ |
| FederalP10HST1S | 200 gr 12.96 g | HST | 1,130 fps 344 m/s | 5 in | Federal · PDF p. 60 ↗ |
| FederalP10SA | 200 gr 12.96 g | SWIFT A-FRAME | 1,100 fps 335 m/s | 5 in | Federal · PDF p. 60 ↗ |
| FederalP10SHC1 | 200 gr 12.96 g | SOLID CORE | 1,200 fps 366 m/s | 5 in | Federal · PDF p. 60 ↗ |
| FederalPD10P1 | 200 gr 12.96 g | JHP | 1,100 fps 335 m/s | 5 in | Federal · PDF p. 60 ↗ |
| Hornady91268 | 200 gr 12.96 g | DGH | 1,160 fps 354 m/s | 5 in | Hornady · PDF p. 191 ↗ |
| FederalP10TA1 | 203 gr 13.15 g | TERMINAL ASCENT | 1,180 fps 360 m/s | 5 in | Federal · PDF p. 60 ↗ |
| FederalAE10SJ1 | 205 gr 13.28 g | TSJ | 1,150 fps 351 m/s | 5 in | Federal · PDF p. 61 ↗ |
Explore the published data
Ballistics you can inspect
Select a legend entry to add or remove its line. Hover or tap a plotted point, or use the position slider. With the graph focused, arrow keys move the inspector. Solid dots identify source points; dashed connectors show estimates between them. Load construction, pressure category, and test setup can differ even at the same grain weight.
Read the original values as accessible tables
10mm Auto: velocity by barrel length
| Exact load | Source / publisher | Published points |
|---|---|---|
| Cor Bon 135 gr. Pow'R Ball | BBTI | 2: 1,083; 3: 1,248; 4: 1,328; 5: 1,418; 6: 1,432; 7: 1,508; 8: 1,533; 9: 1,568; 10: 1,580; 11: 1,600; 12: 1,615; 13: 1,634; 14: 1,639; 15: 1,620; 16: 1,643; 17: 1,626; 18: 1,640 |
| Cor Bon 135 gr. JHP | BBTI | 2: 1,071; 3: 1,255; 4: 1,322; 5: 1,411; 6: 1,504; 7: 1,575; 8: 1,575; 9: 1,594; 10: 1,601; 11: 1,643; 12: 1,653; 13: 1,679; 14: 1,691; 15: 1,662; 16: 1,701; 17: 1,711; 18: 1,710 |
| Cor Bon 150 gr. JHP | BBTI | 2: 1,020; 3: 1,218; 4: 1,301; 5: 1,382; 6: 1,426; 7: 1,446; 8: 1,466; 9: 1,489; 10: 1,494; 11: 1,521; 12: 1,519; 13: 1,547; 14: 1,569; 15: 1,574; 16: 1,570; 17: 1,559; 18: 1,567 |
| Cor Bon 165 gr. JHP | BBTI | 2: 976; 3: 1,157; 4: 1,209; 5: 1,260; 6: 1,307; 7: 1,331; 8: 1,349; 9: 1,378; 10: 1,400; 11: 1,401; 12: 1,410; 13: 1,437; 14: 1,439; 15: 1,441; 16: 1,441; 17: 1,459; 18: 1,447 |
| Cor Bon 155 gr. DPX | BBTI | 2: 1,014; 3: 1,116; 4: 1,183; 5: 1,244; 6: 1,254; 7: 1,268; 8: 1,294; 9: 1,306; 10: 1,333; 11: 1,329; 12: 1,307; 13: 1,354; 14: 1,355; 15: 1,339; 16: 1,349; 17: 1,352; 18: 1,319 |
| Federal 180 gr. Hydra-Shok | BBTI | 2: 841; 3: 927; 4: 1,013; 5: 1,069; 6: 1,093; 7: 1,129; 8: 1,146; 9: 1,179; 10: 1,171; 11: 1,182; 12: 1,195; 13: 1,223; 14: 1,222; 15: 1,204; 16: 1,220; 17: 1,209; 18: 1,232 |
| Buffalo Bore 180 gr. JHC | BBTI | 2: 1,111; 3: 1,250; 4: 1,338; 5: 1,399; 6: 1,428; 7: 1,453; 8: 1,482; 9: 1,508; 10: 1,509; 11: 1,543; 12: 1,562; 13: 1,586; 14: 1,583; 15: 1,555; 16: 1,573; 17: 1,564; 18: 1,573 |
| Winchester 175 gr. Silvertip | BBTI | 2: 950; 3: 1,089; 4: 1,149; 5: 1,225; 6: 1,228; 7: 1,269; 8: 1,276; 9: 1,304; 10: 1,348; 11: 1,312; 12: 1,321; 13: 1,365; 14: 1,397; 15: 1,357; 16: 1,384; 17: 1,362; 18: 1,370 |
| Hornady 200 gr. XTP | BBTI | 2: 912; 3: 1,032; 4: 1,077; 5: 1,133; 6: 1,174; 7: 1,184; 8: 1,190; 9: 1,206; 10: 1,234; 11: 1,225; 12: 1,267; 13: 1,269; 14: 1,280; 15: 1,267; 16: 1,257; 17: 1,243; 18: 1,260 |
10mm Auto: factory velocity downrange
| Exact load | Source / publisher | Published points |
|---|---|---|
| 135 gr Hornady MonoFlex® | Hornady | 0: 1,315; 50: 1,108; 100: 985 |
| 150 gr Hornady FTX® | Hornady | 0: 1,220; 50: 1,039; 100: 929 |
| 155 gr Hornady XTP® | Hornady | 0: 1,410; 50: 1,224; 100: 1,090 |
| 175 gr Hornady FlexLock® | Hornady | 0: 1,160; 50: 1,061; 100: 990 |
| 180 gr Federal FMJ | Federal | 0: 1,030; 25: 998; 50: 970; 75: 945; 100: 921 |
| 200 gr Federal JHP | Federal | 0: 1,110; 25: 1,084; 50: 1,060; 75: 1,038; 100: 1,019 |
| 203 gr Federal TERMINAL ASCENT | Federal | 0: 1,180; 25: 1,128; 50: 1,084; 75: 1,047; 100: 1,014 |
| 205 gr Federal TSJ | Federal | 0: 1,150; 25: 1,101; 50: 1,059; 75: 1,023; 100: 992 |
| 155 gr Hornady XTP® | Hornady | 0: 1,410; 50: 1,224; 100: 1,090 |
| 180 gr Federal TROPHY BONDED JSP | Federal | 0: 1,275; 25: 1,192; 50: 1,123; 75: 1,067; 100: 1,021 |
| 180 gr Federal JHP | Federal | 0: 1,175; 25: 1,122; 50: 1,077; 75: 1,039; 100: 1,006 |
| 180 gr Federal FMJ | Federal | 0: 1,200; 25: 1,129; 50: 1,073; 75: 1,035; 100: 980 |
| 180 gr Hornady XTP® | Hornady | 0: 1,275; 50: 1,146; 100: 1,052 |
| 200 gr Federal FUSION SP | Federal | 0: 1,200; 25: 1,147; 50: 1,102; 75: 1,063; 100: 1,030 |
| 200 gr Federal HST | Federal | 0: 1,130; 25: 1,051; 50: 991; 75: 943; 100: 902 |
| 200 gr Federal SWIFT A-FRAME | Federal | 0: 1,100; 25: 1,062; 50: 1,030; 75: 1,001; 100: 975 |
| 200 gr Federal SOLID CORE | Federal | 0: 1,200; 25: 1,143; 50: 1,095; 75: 1,054; 100: 1,019 |
| 200 gr Federal JHP | Federal | 0: 1,100; 25: 1,075; 50: 1,052; 75: 1,031; 100: 1,012 |
| 200 gr Hornady DGH | Hornady | 0: 1,160; 50: 1,077; 100: 1,014 |
How to interpret the comparison
Changing bullet weight also often changes bullet design and propellant choice. Two curves are comparisons of the listed products, not a controlled experiment proving that bullet weight alone caused the difference. Catalog downrange points are projections under the maker’s conditions; barrel-study points are recorded observations in the study firearm.
Direct answers
Common questions
What is 10mm Auto?
A rimless .40-caliber semiautomatic-pistol cartridge with a longer case than .40 S&W. Factory ammunition spans varied bullet weights and velocity levels.
What diameter does 10mm Auto use?
The cited dimensional standard lists 0.4005 inches (10.173 mm), bullet maximum. This drawing convention is different from a casual caliber nickname.
Are similarly named cartridges interchangeable?
10mm Auto and .40 S&W are separate cartridges. A shared bullet diameter does not authorize a shorter-cartridge substitution.
Are the graph values measured or estimated?
Factory datasets show manufacturer specifications and any published downrange projections. Chronograph and barrel-study datasets identify recorded measurements and the original test source. Dashed connectors and intermediate inspector values are labeled linear estimates; single source points are not extended into invented curves. Energy is calculated from bullet mass and velocity.
Does higher energy mean the best load?
Energy is calculated from mass and velocity. It does not establish accuracy, expansion, penetration, pattern density, recoil, or suitability for a particular firearm. Use the exact product documentation and firearm manual.
Trace the facts
Sources & methodology
Skives & petals: read the jacket construction →
Compiled by 2A Ledger from the linked standards, manufacturer publications, and identified test records. Checked October 18, 2026. Historical tests and older catalogs retain their original dates; a listing here does not establish current availability.
- SAAMI: dimensional drawing · PDF p. 36 ↗
- Sierra: 10mm Auto cartridge background ↗
- Hornady · PDF p. 191 ↗
- Federal · PDF p. 61 ↗
- Federal · PDF p. 60 ↗
- Ballistics by the Inch: archived measured barrel data (2020 archive) ↗
- BBTI: study index and source records ↗
Diameter figures preserve the cited drawing convention. Inch–millimeter conversion uses exactly 25.4 mm per inch. Factory specifications describe the maker’s test setup; your firearm, ammunition lot, temperature, and measuring method can produce different results. This is an educational factory-ammunition reference, not a reloading manual.