10mm Vs 44 Mag

[shortround]

I know this is kind of an old post, but I started handgun hunting for big game back in the late 70's and did all my hunting with either a model 29 Smith or Ruger Super Blackhawk. I had no complaints with either weapon and hunted with open sights only.

I took whitetail and hogs and 2 black bears in several states and as long as I knew my limitations and those of my revolver I was ok. I kept all my shot's inside 50 yards and was able to get one shot kills on all the deer I shot and most of the hogs and both of the bear. There were a few times when we were using dogs and the pigs would move and I'd hit one in the lungs or miss entirely. I shot strictly commercial ammo and got good results with ammo as light as an 180 grains to as heavy as 240.

As is the case in all hunting; shot placement is the important part.

Several years ago I was in the process of evaluating the Glock model 20 as possible addition to my departments SWAT team and used one on opening day of the gun season.

I was shooting Federal 180 grain Hydra Shoks and managed to shoot a doe at about 30 yards. I was shooting from a ground blind and the round went into the lung area just behind the shoulder, it turned into the opposite shoulder and lodged just under the skin on the other side and never exited.

The doe dropped where she was hit and weighed about 80 pounds live weight. That was my only experience with a 10mm in hunting, but think it will do the job as long as you remain with the limits of the round. Someday I'd like to try it on a big wild hog just to see how it works on tougher skin game.

[Lawdog613]

Thanks for the replies. All good information. Things came up so I had to postpone my purchase. But I will be looking for a good deal soon.

[Tonk]

I Have recentley shot both the .40cal Smith & Wesson and the 10mm caliber on a 90 to 100-lb goats and the results were not, especially for the .40cal Smith & Wesson, not very satisfactory. The 10mm caliber put the animal down on the first shot, which took a couple of minutes of so at 20-ft (standing broadside) away. The .40cal Smith & Wesson did not, it took a head shot to do that task.

The 10mm defense ammo in 165 grn bullet, mushroomed out well and penetrated the shoulder going through the off side shoulder and staying just under the skin. The animal went down shortly afterwards but was nothing in comparison to what a bullet out of my .44 mag would have done and has done in the past. Animals are much tuffer than humans in that sense!

[unreal45]

My two favorite handgun hunting calibers. The 10mm in a glock 29 makes a light packable gun for hiking and maybe shooting something if the oportunity arises.  It also makes good sense as a wilderness self-defense gun or everyday backup to a hunting rifle.
In the 44mag i prefer a contender. It makes  a great primary deer gun for woods hunting.
Good luck with your choice, or get both since they fill different roles.

[unreal45]

BTW most 10mm factory ammo is downloaded. Buy double tap, cor bon, buffalo  bore, or use handloads.

[Lloyd Smale]

I wonder how many people badmouthing the 10mm have actually used it. It can be loaded to be a very serious handgun capable of much more then a 357 mag and youll get a bunch of people that will tell you a 357 is plenty for deer sized game. You can eaisly push a 200-220 grain bullet to 1200 plus fps out of a 10 and even more if your doing it in a revolver. Make that bullet a flat nosed cast and i can tell you from experience that it will do some serious penetration. If given the choise in the hunting field id take a 10 hands down over a 357 and call it a toss up with a 41 mag. the 41 may be a bit more powerful but not enough that any deer is going to be able to tell. No its not a 44 mag and either is the 41 mag. A 44 mag loaded with 300s is in a differnt league. But like was said your going to be carrying around a much bigger handgun and have to deal with much heavier recoil. Personaly i think the 10mm is one of the most underated handguns out there. I cant see why it didnt catch on. Its accurate and has more punch the 45 acp for a defence gun and is capable in the hunting field if you know its limitations.

[Mikey]

Lloyd:  I think most folk thought the 10 would shoot like a 40 S&W.  I think for a lot of folk the 10 is as rough on them as the 44 mag is on others - you know the story:  it's a 'For Sale, shot little with the remainder of the first box of ammo to go with the gun'. 

I feel that from the closed chamber of a semi the 10 is a performer.  It will not ever be a 41 and certainly not a 44 but it has its place and it will take whitetail.   

[Spencer, Carey]

Have used my brothers Colt Delta Elite to kill one Buck, about 140lbs, and it went down hard with the 200gr Hornady XTP factory load at appx 18yds. At short range, there is no arguing the effectiveness of the 10mm. At close (say 50- yds) range that is. The .44 RM is a much more practical hunting round. Ammo selection, power, and range make it the winner. If you own a good 10mm, and are willing to realize the limitations of the cartridge, shoot it. It WILL do the job, but just not as far as the 44 will. Good luck!