Left to right: 41 Magnum, 10mm Magnum, 10mm Auto and 40 S&W

 

Left to right: 41 Magnum, 10mm Magnum, 10mm Auto and 40 S&W
View attachment 1260309 View attachment 1260310

Very nice!

Homage to the original platform:

Today we have better and heavier 10mm/.401 hardcast slugs to run at full 10mm Mag speeds, like Bengal Bullets, 240grn coated and g.c.-ed WFN boolit:

https://www.glocktalk.com/threads/bengal-bullets-10mm-240grn-coated-wfngc.1980996/

As the above thread chatter suggested, this slug might be too long to leave much room in the case for powder in a 10mm AUTO, but in the 10mm Mag case it’s a different story.

Also the arrival of Winchester’s 400 Legend - using 200+grn .401”-dia jacketed bullets - opens up further handloading options for the aggressive 10mm Mag owner.

 

I’m guessing this is a revolvers only caliber? Makes me want a 610 now!

 

Yes. It’s too long to fit in any magazine. If the case was 2mm shorter, the 10mm Magnum could fit in a FK BRNO magazine-

 

Left to right:

135gr 10mm Magnum, 95gr 7.5 and 180gr 10mm

 

What does 10mm Magnum get me over 44 Magnum?

 

44 mag is more powerful and useful in the woods. Just depends on the size of revolver people are willing to carry and recoil control.

With the m610, you can shoot all three rounds. A little more versatile than the 41 magnum.

 

With this new knowledge of the chamber work for the S&W M610 to shoot 10Mag (+ 10mm & .40S&W), I'm seriously considering it as I've done this type of moon-clip mod on my 6.5" M25-15 to shoot .45ACP & .45LC.

Regardless, I highly recommend the 610 for any 10mm shooter & fan. My 6.5" 610-3 here with a "random" 10mm striker...

 

Last I had heard was that Pinnacle had closed up with no warning.

 

Not good! I’ll research another gun smith to see if they can do what Pinnacle used too.

I believe Clements Custom Guns is out of business also. They used to do 10mm conversions for various revolvers. I got my 5” Ruger GP 100 converted to 10mm.

 

I'll check with TK Customs later this week, since they're the ones who did my Model 25's .45LC cylinder to accept .45ACP in moon-clips.

Hopefully, they can point us in the right direction...

 

Awesome. If they can do the work on a model 610, let us know. They could be getting more business their way, since the other shops are closed-

 

The pic posted above by agtman is my gun/pic.
I have an IAI (AMT) Automag IV in 10mm Magnum, as well as an 8" LAR Grizzly in 10mm Mag.
I also have a Herters 401 PowerMag which is basically a rimmed version of the 10mm mag, however it uses .403" diameter bullets.

Tony Rumore
Tromix

 

The pic posted above by agtman is my gun/pic.
I have an IAI (AMT) Automag IV in 10mm Magnum, as well as an 8" LAR Grizzly in 10mm Mag.
I also have a Herters 401 PowerMag which is basically a rimmed version of the 10mm mag, however it uses .403" diameter bullets.

Tony Rumore
Tromix

Love those pics. Gorgeous guns.

 

And another Herters Powermag....not sure what the deal is with the fancy hammer, base pin and trigger.

 

I started a thread on this a few back in 2020.
Here's the link, it has a lot of good info:

https://www.glocktalk.com/threads/10mm-magnum.1843398/

After a bunch of research, I had a 3.8" 610 reamed to 10MM magnum by these guys:

Aria Ballistic Engineering – Ammunition for the Master Marksmen

www.ariaballisticengineering.org

They did a great job.

Ammo can be bought from the same outfit, they're out of Tacoma.
I've also reloaded for it and using AA#9 I've been able to push a 200Gr Montana hard cast to almost 1450FPS, but settled on a bit less powder that is super accurate and consistent at 1410FPS. That's out of a less than 4" barrel.
Out of the same gun I've achieved similar velocities out of a 220Gr hard cast but the meplat is not as wide as the 200s.

I also run a 210 Gr Hawk soft point (I bought these from Aria) at a chronographed 1425. Again, out of the same gun.

I'm tempted to buy a 6.5" 610 and have them ream that one too, just to see the velocities I get. I'm figuring a 75 to 125 FPS boost.

Below L to R a 180Gr handloaded Hornady XTP at 1550 FPS, the aforementioned 200Gr Hard Cast and the aforementioned 210Gr Hawk SP:

I've only used AA#9 for my 10MM Magnum rounds. I'm going to attempt some loads using H110 if I can find some. H110 is a bit more sensitive and susceptible to pressure spikes but I can probably get 200FPS more out of my loads. Not sure if it's worth it, but I'm going to try... eventually. LOL

 

I started a thread on this a few back in 2020.
Here's the link, it has a lot of good info:

https://www.glocktalk.com/threads/10mm-magnum.1843398/

After a bunch of research, I had a 3.8" 610 reamed to 10MM magnum by these guys:

Aria Ballistic Engineering – Ammunition for the Master Marksmen

www.ariaballisticengineering.org

They did a great job.

Ammo can be bought from the same outfit, they're out of Tacoma.
I've also reloaded for it and using AA#9 I've been able to push a 200Gr Montana hard cast to almost 1450FPS, but settled on a bit less powder that is super accurate and consistent at 1410FPS. That's out of a less than 4" barrel.
Out of the same gun I've achieved similar velocities out of a 220Gr hard cast but the meplat is not as wide as the 200s.

I also run a 210 Gr Hawk soft point (I bought these from Aria) at a chronographed 1425. Again, out of the same gun.

I'm tempted to buy a 6.5" 610 and have them ream that one too, just to see the velocities I get. I'm figuring a 75 to 125 FPS boost.

Below L to R a 180Gr handloaded Hornady XTP at 1550 FPS, the aforementioned 200Gr Hard Cast and the aforementioned 210Gr Hawk SP:

View attachment 1260485

I've only used AA#9 for my 10MM Magnum rounds. I'm going to attempt some loads using H110 if I can find some. H110 is a bit more sensitive and susceptible to pressure spikes but I can probably get 200FPS more out of my loads. Not sure if it's worth it, but I'm going to try... eventually. LOL

Nice!

For HC bullets suitable for real 10mm Mag velocities, you should check out Bengal Bullets’ .401/10mm selections. They’re coated and gas-checked. BB may have added more since the 400 Legend was introduced

The IAI AutoMag IV had an 8+” barrel. John Taffin’s original range report and load data article suggested that the ballistics of the 10mm Mag cartridge are best derived from a long barrel, which is also the case with other traditional revolver magnums.

Taffin Test the 10 mm Magnum

I like the idea of magnum snubbies generally, but if I we’re going to do a 10mm AUTO to ——> 10 Mag conversion on a 610, I’d want one with at least a 6” barrel. If I could but find a Ruger 10mm SRH with a 7” barrel, I‘d use that as the base gun.

The only other long-barreled 10mm wheelgun I’ve seen is Cimmaron’s SA ‘cowboy’ gun with an 8” tube. It’s built on the same frame as their .44Mag variant, so strength wouldn’t be an issue in 10mm Mag, but the gun doesn’t accept the use of moon clips like the 610s or Rugers.

 

 

What does 10mm Magnum get me over 44 Magnum?

the 10mm magnum is ballistically similar to the 41 magnum and has close to the same case capacity.
And one of the best kept secrets of the shooting world is that the 41 magnum compares very well to the 44.

The .410 diameter bullets, compared to the .430 diameter of the 44 allows the 41 to uselighter projectiles that while they have less mass, they have better sectional density and ballistic coefficient for their weight so the 41 shoots a little flatter and recoils less. A 41 magnum 210 grain has a sectional density of 0.178 and compares to a heavier 225 grain 44 that has a sectional density if 0.175.

Main drawback to the 10mm magnum compared to the 41 magnum is the availability and selection of projectiles in different weights combined with that fact that most 10mm controlled expansion projectiles are not designed to hold together at "Magnum" velocities but there is one exception and this is the Hornady XTP. but that limits you to a 210 grain bullet weight, and where the 41 really starts to have some respectable power is with 220 grains and Heavier bullets.

Winchester loads a 41 mag 240 grain 'Platinum Tip' Hollow Point that develops 1250 fps at 833 ft. lbs. This compares favorably to the Winchester 240 grain soft point which only develops 1180 fps 741 ft/lbs . There are better high performance load for the 44 in that bullet weight. But Underwood produces the 'ultimate 41 magnum woods load with the Underwood 265 grain 41 Magnum load with a muzzle Velocity of 1350 fps with a muzzle energy of 1073 ft/lbs and has a Sectional Density of 0.230 which is nearly identical to the sectional density of a 44 magnum with 300 grain bullet that has an SD of 0.232.

 

the 10mm magnum is ballistically similar to the 41 magnum and has close to the same case capacity.
And one of the best kept secrets of the shooting world is that the 41 magnum compares very well to the 44.

The .410 diametric bullets, compared to the .430 diameter of the 44 allows the 41 to lighter projectiles that while they have less mass, have better sectional density and ballistic coefficient for their weight so the 41 shoots a little flatter and recoils less. A 41 magnum 210 grain has a sectional density of 0.178 and compares to a heavier 225 grain 44 that has a sectional density if 0.175.

Main drawback to the 10mm magnum compared to the 41 magnum is the availability and selection of projectiles in different weights combined with that fact that most 10mm controlled expansion projectiles are not designed to hold together at "Magnum" velocities but there is one exception and this is the Hornady XTP. but that limits you to a 210 grain bullet weight, and where the 41 really starts to have some respectable power is with 220 grains and Heavier bulletsw.

Winchester loads a 41 mag 240 grain 'Platinum Tip' Hollow Point that develops 1250 fps at 833 ft. lbs. ThIs compares favorably to the Winchester 240 grain soft point which only develops 1180 fps 741 ft/lbs . There are better high performance load for the 44 in that bullet weight. But Underwood produces the 'ultimate 41 magnum woods load with the Underwood 265 grain 41 Magnum load with a muzzle Velocity of 1350 fps with a muzzle energy of 1073 ft/lbs and has a Sectional Density of 0.230 which is nearly identical to the sectional density of a 44 magnum with 300 grain bullet that has an SD of 0.232.

Great info! I had no idea how close in performance the 41 Magnum (.410) was compared to the 44 Magnum (.429).

Makes me wonder why the 41 Magnum isn’t more popular. Less recoil for similar performance. Sounds like a win win to me.

Companies just need to make 41 Special loads to shoot like they do 38 and 44 Special loads.

There are of course “Cowboy” 41 Magnum loads to shoot- which helps.

 

I'm looking for someone to "properly" cut my 610's cylinder to run with 10mm Mag (w/ or w/o moon clips).

I use the updated moon clips from TK Customs for 10mm Auto and .40S&W primarily for the quicker reloads and to carry extra loaded m.clips in speed reloader pouches.

I love the idea of 10mm Mag being an unknown-to-me option, as I’ve never seen myself getting into .41 Mag or .44 SPC/Mag.

 

I'm looking for someone to "properly" cut my 610's cylinder to run with 10mm Mag (w/ or w/o moon clips).

Well-known wheelgun ‘smith Hamilton Bowen pioneered the conversion but apparently is retired and no longer does them.

Forgot his name but there is a Pennsylvania based revolver ‘smith who still does them. Any competent gunsmith with the correct reamer and some experience working on revolvers should be able to convert the cylinder chambers to 10Mag specs.

 

With the m610, you can shoot all three rounds. A little more versatile than the 41 magnum.

Um, there is such a thing as 41 Spl. I have loads from mild to wild for my .41 Mags. Revolvers and carbines available for no extra money. A little research says the .41 Mag Revolver is more versatile. But, if one has a 610, then there is a little rationale to go 10mm Magnum.

The problem is not being able to eject spent cases. So I use moon clips-

Another advantage to the .41 Mag.

Makes me wonder why the 41 Magnum isn’t more popular. Less recoil for similar performance. Sounds like a win win to me.

Dirty Harry. That's why, seriously. If he had used the gun that was originally intended, the 41 would be ahead of the 44. Just shows how impressionable Americans are.

I have both a 610 and a 657. I enjoy both, but with that, a 10mm Mag gets me nothing. Now, when I want to bump up, I go to the .414 SuperMag. Oh My! 😯

Carbines in 10mm and 41Mag too. I'm a 40 bore fan. I might even end up with a 400Legend upper if it sticks.

 

Um, there is such a thing as 41 Spl. I have loads from mild to wild for my .41 Mags. Revolvers and carbines available for no extra money. A little research says the .41 Mag Revolver is more versatile. But, if one has a 610, then there is a little rationale to go 10mm Magnum.



Another advantage to the .41 Mag.



Dirty Harry. That's why, seriously. If he had used the gun that was originally intended, the 41 would be ahead of the 44. Just shows how impressionable Americans are.

I have both a 610 and a 657. I enjoy both, but with that, a 10mm Mag gets me nothing. Now, when I want to bump up, I go to the .414 SuperMag. Oh My! 😯

Carbines in 10mm and 41Mag too. I'm a 40 bore fan. I might even end up with a 400Legend upper if it sticks.

Very cool.

I was not aware of 41 Special loads. I don’t reload (yet). Where can I find 41 Special ammo?

 

It's another option but I have a hard time seeing the purpose behind the 10mm Magnum. The main reason for me is bullet selection, you can drive pretty much any .400" JHP fast enough in .40 S&W to start seeing fragmentation. The 10mm adds another ~100 fps which doesn't really help, so to me adding another 150-200 fps on top of that only sounds appealing if you're chasing ft-lbs. You can push a bullet too fast and the result is poor, or less than ideal, penetration. Not that it wouldn't still be lethal, but you can get back some penetration by actually slowing down and if that's the case, why bother with it in the first place?