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3 of 3 Items
10mm Auto Ammo — Bear Defense & Backcountry
10mm Auto has become a top choice for bear defense, backcountry carry, and handgun hunting thanks to its high velocity and energy. The key is choosing a projectile built for the job. G9’s 10mm loads use non-expanding, solid-copper designs engineered for your mission-set. The Woodsman provides deep, straight penetration and reliable performance through heavy hide, bone, and common barriers. The External Hollow Point is the ideal solution for home defense or everyday carry, featuring controlled penetration, exceptional terminal performance, and minimal deflection through barriers.
Choose Your Purpose
Bear & Backcountry Defense / Handgun Hunting
10mm 145gr Woodsman
Non-expanding solid copper tuned for deep, straight-line penetration through thick hide and bone—exactly what backcountry encounters demand. Lightweight-for-caliber with accuracy-focused geometry and repeatable terminal behavior.
EDC / Vehicle Environments
10mm 95gr External Hollow Point (EHP)
A non-expanding fluted solid designed for barrier consistency (auto glass, sheet metal, drywall) and controlled penetration, while reducing felt recoil for faster, more accurate follow-up shots.
How 10mm Bullet Types Compare (Bear Defense & Field Use)
Not all 10mm is built for large-animal defense. Here’s how the common options stack up:
| Bullet Type | Typical Use | Penetration | Barrier Behavior | Pros | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G9 Woodsman (solid copper, non-expanding) | Bear defense, backcountry, handgun hunting | Very deep; straight-line through hide & bone | Stable; designed to stay on track | Deep, repeatable penetration; no jacket separation; no barrel leading; accuracy-focused geometry | Non-expanding by design; terminal effect comes from velocity/geometry rather than mushrooming |
| G9 EHP (solid copper, fluted non-expanding) | EDC, self defense, environments where overpenetration is a concern | Controlled, repeatable | Excellent through common barriers | Reduced felt recoil; strong barrier consistency; predictable depth | Not intended for maximum deep-bone penetration like dedicated backcountry loads |
| Lead Hardcast (flat-nose) | Traditional bear / woods loads | Very deep when driven hard | Generally stable; meplat helps track straight | Proven deep penetration; often economical | Can cause aftermarket barrels; potential feed issues in some pistols; brittle/fragment risk on heavy bone; greater ricochet potential |
| Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) | Personal defense on two-legged threats | Moderate; designed to expand | Barrier-dependent; may clog/under-penetrate | Larger permanent cavity in soft tissue | Expansion reduces penetration—not ideal for bear/large game or when barriers are present |
| FMJ (round/truncated) | Range training | Often deep but can yaw/deflect | Unpredictable; higher ricochet risk | Reliable & economical for practice | Narrow wound path; not optimized for defense; barrier deflection more likely |
| Frangible | Steel/indoor training | Shallow by design on hard media | Breaks up on hard surfaces | Lower ricochet on steel | Unsuitable for bear defense or hunting |
Why 10mm with G9
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Penetration for bear defense: Non-expanding, solid-copper designs deliver deep, straight-line penetration tailored to backcountry use—exactly what you need for heavy hide and bone.
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Barrier consistency you can trust: Engineered exterior geometry reduces deflection through bone, auto glass, sheet metal, and common building materials while maintaining repeatable depth.
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No hardcast headaches: Solid copper means no lead fouling, no need for aftermarket barrels in polygonal-rifled pistols (e.g., many Glocks), and no brittle cast-lead behavior on hard impact.
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Reliable function without parts swaps: Our loads are designed for control and cycling—unlike many hardcast setups that often push shooters toward heavier recoil springs to manage slide velocity.
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Built within spec: We don’t chase “over-max” claims. 10mm has no SAAMI +P—our purpose-built loads are engineered for performance while respecting pressure limits and firearm longevity.
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Control and accuracy: Optimized weights and geometry reduce felt recoil and improve shot-to-shot cadence, helping you place accurate rounds under stress.
Bear-Country Notes
For grizzly and black bear defense, prioritize reliable, deep penetration and straight-line tracking over expansion. Purpose-built solids (like 10mm Woodsman) are the prevailing choice for challenging shot angles and heavy bone.