Sellier & Bellot 10mm 180gr JHP in Clear Ballistics Gel

5pins · August 17, 2018, 06:13 PM

Test Gun: Delta Elite
Barrel length: 5 inches.
Ammunition: Sellier & Bellot 10mm 180gr JHP.
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: PACT 1 XP with inferred sky screens.
Five shot velocity average: 1061fps
Gel Temperature: 73 degrees.

I have been using S&B primers for some time now and they have always performed well for me. My experience with their ammo, on the other hand, has been limited to some military surplus stuff some time ago. When I came across a discussion on the 10mm forum about this 10mm JHP I became interested, and the price was just under $16 for a box of 50. Until recently no one had any in stock but I was finally able to get some from Target Sports USA.

I got an average five-shot velocity of 1061fps, with a high of 1079fps and a low of 1048. This velocity was much lower than the advertised velocity of 1164fps. It’s not rare for the manufacturer to inflate their velocity numbers but others have obtained numbers closer to the manufacturers claim. I shot another five rounds a few days later and still came up with an average of 1058fps. I also shot another pistol with some known ammo and it’s numbers were right where they were supposed to be.

I wasn’t able to use the chronograph so I don’t have any velocity numbers for the induvial shots.

The first round in the bare gel penetrated to 14.75 inches and it expanded to.67 inches with a recovered weight of 175.6 grains. Round two penetrated to 12.25 inches, expanded to .68 inches and a weight of 176.2 grains.

In the heavy clothed gel the first round penetrated to 16.25 inches, expanded to .64 inches and had a recovered weight of 178.1 grains. The second shot went 16 inches deep and also expanded to .64 inches and a recovered weight of 177.2 grains.

2damnold4this · August 17, 2018, 07:12 PM

Looks like it did ok in the gel.

stephen426 · August 17, 2018, 11:34 PM

I’d say that is a lot closer to the .40 S&W than 10mm. Most .40 S&W will get pretty close to 1000 FPS if not a bit more. http://www.ballistics101.com/40_caliber_sw.php I’m not saying that 10mm load wouldn’t “hurt”, but that’s a pretty wimpy load.

rock185 · August 18, 2018, 10:33 PM

Thanks for posting 5pins. Ballistics with that particular load are down pretty close to .40 S&W territory. Buffalo Bore 10MM 180 JHP averages 1380 FPS in my 5" pistol, but I really don't know if the BB load would do as well as the S&B in a gel test. Impressive velocity or not, results with the inexpensive S&B ammo are impressive IMHO.

Areoflyer09 · August 19, 2018, 11:59 AM

Something to keep in mind, not every 10mm hollow point is actually designed to handle true 10mm velocity and maintain desired expansion and penetration. Some are bullets designed for 40SW velocity and stuck in a 10mm case.

Ideally, they would pick a bullet that could handle the velocity of a 10mm but in my view it’s better for them download the 10mm then sell an unreliable hollow point.

August 17, 2018, 06:13 PM	#1
5pins Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 1998 Location: WV Posts: 252	Sellier & Bellot 10mm 180gr JHP in Clear Ballistics Gel Test Gun: Delta Elite Barrel length: 5 inches. Ammunition: Sellier & Bellot 10mm 180gr JHP. Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel. Distance: 10 feet. Chronograph: PACT 1 XP with inferred sky screens. Five shot velocity average: 1061fps Gel Temperature: 73 degrees. I have been using S&B primers for some time now and they have always performed well for me. My experience with their ammo, on the other hand, has been limited to some military surplus stuff some time ago. When I came across a discussion on the 10mm forum about this 10mm JHP I became interested, and the price was just under $16 for a box of 50. Until recently no one had any in stock but I was finally able to get some from Target Sports USA. I got an average five-shot velocity of 1061fps, with a high of 1079fps and a low of 1048. This velocity was much lower than the advertised velocity of 1164fps. It’s not rare for the manufacturer to inflate their velocity numbers but others have obtained numbers closer to the manufacturers claim. I shot another five rounds a few days later and still came up with an average of 1058fps. I also shot another pistol with some known ammo and it’s numbers were right where they were supposed to be. I wasn’t able to use the chronograph so I don’t have any velocity numbers for the induvial shots. The first round in the bare gel penetrated to 14.75 inches and it expanded to.67 inches with a recovered weight of 175.6 grains. Round two penetrated to 12.25 inches, expanded to .68 inches and a weight of 176.2 grains. In the heavy clothed gel the first round penetrated to 16.25 inches, expanded to .64 inches and had a recovered weight of 178.1 grains. The second shot went 16 inches deep and also expanded to .64 inches and a recovered weight of 177.2 grains. __________________ www.general-cartridge.com

August 17, 2018, 11:34 PM	#3
stephen426 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Posts: 3,840	I’d say that is a lot closer to the .40 S&W than 10mm. Most .40 S&W will get pretty close to 1000 FPS if not a bit more. http://www.ballistics101.com/40_caliber_sw.php I’m not saying that 10mm load wouldn’t “hurt”, but that’s a pretty wimpy load. __________________ The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency! Last edited by stephen426; August 19, 2018 at 07:27 AM.

August 18, 2018, 10:33 PM	#4
rock185 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2001 Location: Out West in Rim Country Posts: 1,093	Thanks for posting 5pins. Ballistics with that particular load are down pretty close to .40 S&W territory. Buffalo Bore 10MM 180 JHP averages 1380 FPS in my 5" pistol, but I really don't know if the BB load would do as well as the S&B in a gel test. Impressive velocity or not, results with the inexpensive S&B ammo are impressive IMHO. __________________ COTEP 640, NRA Life

August 17, 2018, 07:12 PM	#2
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 2,526	Looks like it did ok in the gel.

August 19, 2018, 11:59 AM	#5
Areoflyer09 Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2017 Posts: 300	Something to keep in mind, not every 10mm hollow point is actually designed to handle true 10mm velocity and maintain desired expansion and penetration. Some are bullets designed for 40SW velocity and stuck in a 10mm case. Ideally, they would pick a bullet that could handle the velocity of a 10mm but in my view it’s better for them download the 10mm then sell an unreliable hollow point.