10mm vs .357 Magnum: Decoding the Powerhouses of Handgun Ammunition

10mm vs .357 Magnum: Decoding the Powerhouses of Handgun Ammunition

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to compare the 10mm Auto and .357 Magnum cartridges today. These two cartridges may share a similar projectile size and grain weight, but they ultimately differ in many regards. We are going to compare aspects such as the background of each cartridge, uses for each cartridge, and more in this blog post. Without further ado, let’s delve into the differences between the 10mm Auto and .357 Magnum.

What is 10mm Auto?

The 10mm Auto, often referred to as 10mm, is a potent handgun cartridge that was introduced in 1983. Design and development of the cartridge was conducted by Col. Jeff Cooper of Gunsite fame and FFV Norma AB (now known as Norma Precision) of Sweden. Dornaus & Dixon Enterprises, Inc. also played a role in the development of the cartridge as they were working with Col. Cooper on their Bren Ten handgun. The result of this collaboration was a semi-automatic pistol cartridge which provided the performance of a magnum handgun cartridge. When compared to standard, non-specialty .357 Magnum loadings, the 10mm Auto is capable of producing higher energies. Specialty 10mm Auto loadings are on par with specialty, high performance .357 Magnum loadings. The cartridge is often compared to the 9mm Luger and .45 ACP as they are common semi-automatic cartridges of the time. The 10mm Auto essentially has high velocities, like 9mm Luger, and larger, heavier projectiles, like .45 ACP, providing shooters with a versatile and capable round. The 10mm Auto will notably have a stout and snappy recoil impulse which is accompanied by flat trajectories. The cartridge has seen a wide range of use among armed professionals and citizens since its introduction. Adoption of the round by law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, led to the development more 10mm handguns and subguns in the caliber. Notably, handguns from Glock and Smith & Wesson in 10mm Auto saw use by these personnel. Additionally, Heckler & Koch developed MP5/10 subguns for use by law enforcement personnel. Recreational shooters, match shooters, hunters, and concealed carriers have also adopted and employed 10mm Auto firearms on the civilian side of things.

What is .357 Magnum?

The .357 Magnum is the result of a collaboration between Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe, Douglas B. Wesson, and Smith & Wesson. Design for the cartridge began in 1934 with production starting one year later in 1935. The cartridge’s parent case is the .38 Special and was developed in response to the .38 Super cartridge introduced by Colt. The .357 Magnum was developed to provide improved terminal ballistics than the .38 Special with an emphasis on penetrating cover like as vests and steel car doors. When compared to the .38 Special, the .357 Magnum cartridge features higher velocities, increased pressures, and flatter trajectories. These traits allow for a greater accuracy potential and increase the effective range of the cartridge. Recoil-wise, the cartridge exhibits a sharp, stout recoil impulse which is a far cry from the impulse yielded by the .38 Special. While stout, the recoil impulse of the .357 Magnum is eclipsed by that of the .44 Magnum and larger magnum calibers. The .357 Magnum’s high velocity nature and increased powder charge make this cartridge an effective magnum handgun round. These traits aid the .357 Magnum in producing solid and effective hits on target and improve the cartridge’s overall terminal ballistics. The improved terminal ballistics of the cartridge make the .357 Magnum well-suited for defensive applications, duty, and hunting. The magnum nature of this cartridge makes it appropriate for many use cases, making it incredibly versatile. Purchase .357 Magnum Ammo

What is 10mm Auto Used For?

Shooters employ the 10mm Auto in a variety of use cases. Like all cartridges, the round is optimal for plinking and target shooting applications. While the round has stout recoil, it also boasts flat trajectories and high velocities. The latter two traits make the cartridge great for range use and lend to its high accuracy potential. There are some who utilize the cartridge in the realm of competition in a variety of semi-automatic platforms. The cartridge is also employed by handgun hunters and utilized in defensive and duty capacities. Shooters can utilize specialty loadings for hunting which are optimal for hunting and designed to ethically dispatch game. These types of loadings can also be found in the form of lead-free loadings. Specialty defensive loadings for 10mm are also widely available and further optimize the round for self-defense or duty use.

What is .357 Magnum Used For?

The .357 Magnum has been employed in many roles since its introduction. Of course, the cartridge is well-suited for plinking and target shooting. The cartridges high velocities and flat trajectories combined with its high accuracy potential make the .357 Magnum well-suited for this role. The .357 Magnum is also suitable for self-defense and concealed carry purposes. The cartridge is often employed by both handgun and rifle hunters in the pursuit of a variety of game. Notably, the cartridge is capable of ethically dispatching a wide range of small and medium game, particularly being favored for deer hunting. The effectiveness of the .357 Magnum is increased when used in a rifle, allowing for impactful and accurate shot placement. As with any type of hunting, one should utilize appropriate ammunition, firearms, equipment, and practices. By doing so, one can ensure an optimal and ethical hunt.

Availability of Ammunition

At this point in time, shooters will be able to find 10mm Auto and .357 Magnum ammo with little difficulty. This is due to the fact that loadings for either caliber can easily be found at most places where ammunition is sold. Shooters will find that everything from general-purpose loadings to specialized ammunition for hunting or match purposes tend to be commonly available on shelves. The two cartridges are popular and potent pistol chamberings which are employed by many users. Manufacturers such as PMC, Winchester, Sellier & Bellot, Aguila, and Remington are among the producers of 10mm Auto ammunition and .357 Magnum ammo. Ammo for either caliber can be found in the form of individual boxes or in bulk ammo quantities. Purchase 10mm Auto Ammo

Availability of Firearms

As with ammo availability, shooters will find that there are plenty of options for firearms in either pistol caliber. Currently, the market has a litany of firearms chambered in either 10mm Auto or .357 Magnum. Firearms which accommodate either caliber are readily available at most places that sell firearms. Typically, these types of firearms can be found in the form of handguns and revolvers. Additionally, lever action rifles in .357 Magnum and pistol caliber carbines (PCCs) in 10mm Auto can be found on the market in various forms. Companies such as Glock, Smith & Wesson, FN, Springfield Armory, and many more produce firearms chambered in 10mm Auto. Henry Repeating Arms, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, and Colt produce firearms chambered in .357 Magnum. These types of firearms are available at various price points, making them accessible to shooters of all budgets. In short, shooters will have no issue finding a suitable firearm chambered in either 10mm Auto or .357 Magnum.

Conclusion

And there we have it. Both the 10mm Auto and .357 Magnum cartridges are well-known and employed by shooters of all types in the United States for a myriad of purposes. One cannot go wrong with either cartridge if they are using them for their appropriate use cases. We here at True Shot Ammo carry both 10mm Auto ammo and .357 Magnum ammunition in our large inventory. Whether you want to buy 10mm Auto ammunition or purchase .357 Magnum ammo, we have you covered. Regardless of whether you want to buy bulk ammo or individual boxes of either caliber, we can help you get stocked up. As always, happy shooting.