10mm "Bear Loads"

[LESchwartz]

ARG!

Last year about this time, I picked up a Springfield XDM in 10mm (along with a nice holster leather holster) for black bear defense.  Unfortunately, hip surgery kept me out of the woods last fall.  I belatedly surfed over to Buffalo Bore with the intent to pick up some of their "DANGEROUS GAME 10MM AUTO 190 gr. Mono-Metal (1,200 fps / ME 607 ft lbs)" ammo.  They have a bunch of ammo on their site, and I contacted them for a recommendation.  To my surprise, I was directed to this article:  https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=281.  It recommends against using their hottest ammo in match grade pistols because of extraction issues due to "tighter chambers".  The folks at Buffalo Bore instead recommended their "BUFFALO BORE TACTICAL (Low Recoil & Low Flash) 10MM 180 gr. FMJ-FN - (1,200fps/M.E. 575 ft. lbs.)" ammo.

The only other post on the web about this issue mentioned that Buffalo Bore gave them the same recommendation.  They then went of to mention that Underwood gave them the following ammo recommendation:  "10mm Auto 140gr. Xtreme Penetrator? Platinum Edition Solid Monolithic Hunting & Self Defense Ammo" (Muzzle Energy 700 ft. lbs, Muzzle Velocity 1500 fps).  This is considerably hotter than the Buffalo bore recommendation.  I do notice that the Underwood ammo features a nickel plated case, which purports to help with extraction.

I contacted Springfield about this issue and they are telling my that any of the Buffalo Bore ammo should be OK to use . . . perhaps the "M" in XDM just applies to the trigger.  Or maybe the chamber doesn't have a "tighter chamber", but just tighter tolerances (less variation?) on the chamber . . . or maybe the "M" is just marketing hype.

Has any of you resident 10mm fanboys heard about this sort of thing?  Any other thoughts?

Larry

PS:  I've been using Magtech 180gr FMJ (velocity 1230 fps, energy 605 ft-lb) at the range without an issues.  Which is why I was looking at the the Buffalo Bore 190gr.

[Rocketvapor]

Two sets of calculations to consider:
M.E. and Momentum.

[LESchwartz]

Two sets of calculations to consider:
M.E. and Momentum.

Do tell . . .

However, I think all the references I cited are for muzzle energy . . .

Larry

[Danjal]

Larry, check into 10mm bear hunting loads. You'll probably get a lot further than SD loads for bear with a lot less bad info.

[LESchwartz]

Larry, check into 10mm bear hunting loads. You'll probably get a lot further than SD loads for bear with a lot less bad info.

I've purchased Buffalo Bore in the past.  The "tactical" load they recommended for black bear is listed as "non-expanding".  On the other hand, some of their write ups indicate their feeling that it doesn't take too much dissuade black bears.  I would rather have something a little more powerful, something more like the Magtech 180gr FMJs I've been shooting at the range.  Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure my range ammo is soft lead core.  It would be nice to get something hard cast or "mono-metal" -- which is why I was originally intended to purchase the Buffalo Bore 190gr, as they look to have the same  muzzle energy as my range ammo.

Larry

[LESchwartz]

Just got off the phone with Underwood.  Even after describing the issue related to tight chambers and possible extraction concerns on my XDM, they still recommended their "10mm Auto 140gr. Xtreme Penetrator? Platinum Edition Solid Monolithic Hunting & Self Defense Ammo".  They were confident their nickel plating would mitigate any potential extraction issues.  They also stressed that this ammo was not so-called "+P".

Here in Minnesota, I'm most concerned about packs of feral dogs -- though the local media downplays such things, I have firsthand reports that tell me otherwise.  I used to carry a 44 Mag, but I figure I need the extra capacity for canines, while still being able to dissuade a black bear.

Decisions, decisions . . .

Larry

[LESchwartz]

FYI:  Underwood 18% off coupon code:  SMS18

Larry