Howdy

1st I'd like to say that I have two separate questions so I'll do my best to keep them apart and clear.

I have 3 10mm A glock 20, 29 and a Dan Wesson Commander Bobtail.

This fall I plan on hunting with either the G20 or the Dan Wesson and have been trying to find a good load for taking whitetail and mule deer in NW Montana. I was thinking of using some 155gr FMJ with 12.5 gr of Blue Dot. Noticed that most of the hunting rounds have been 180 or 200 gr. I figured that I would want a lighter bullet going faster, around 1400 fps. One reason I was thinking the 155gr was that I know a Game Warden that has killed two Grizzlies with that grain of bullet in one shot. But do u want less penetration on a deer than a bear? So a heavier bullet is better on deer? That is one problem I've been working on. Just trying to find a suitable deer round, and maybe have some 155gr set up for hiking specifically against bear.

For my concealed carry round in my G29 I've been using the Hornady HP-XTP 200 gr with 9gr of Blue Dot. What are your opinions on that for concealed carry against people?

The brass I use is starline, still have a few left before i go through my once shot brass. Another question in the G20 I have a lasermax system so its not the factory recoil spring, do I have to worry about a hotter load hurting it? or for hunting would u recommend using the Dan Wesson?

Thanks for all the input and I hope I can get this sorted out.

O_Negative

I think you may have your understanding of bullet weight versus penetration mixed up. All other things being equal, a heavier bullet of the same design will penetrate further than the lighter one. Penetration is a function of momentum, not energy. A 200 grain bullet at 1200 fps has more momentum by 10% than a 155 grain at 1400 fps.

You would want less penetration on a deer than a bear. However, I think most here would agree that even a 180 grain is a light bullet in 10mm for bear repellent, game warden's experience accepted. I currently load 175 grain hard cast, and will probably be ordering a 210 grain mold specifically for my trail load in bear country.

I have not previously hunted dear with my 10mm. However, I would consider a 155 grain on the light side for deer, and would probably want 180 - 200 grain, especially for the mulies you are hunting in Montana. This would ensure penetration even if heavy bones were encountered.

O_Negative, to 10mmTalk!
I would have to agree with sqlbullet on this one. I carry the Hornady 200gr XTP's loaded to 1180-1200fps from the S&W 1006, or the G-29 @ 1130-1150fps. Bullet placement will be the key to your success for humane kills on any species. 8.0 grains of Power Pistol is a good load for me to deliver the 200 grain package.
Much luck and best regards!

I appreciate the info! Sounds like I'll load up some more of my Hornady 200 gr HP-XTP for hunting this fall. Would u guys use a G20 or a Dan Wesson Commander Bobtail? In the G20 do i need to worry about the lasermax spring holding up against a warm load.

O_Negative, If it were me I'd be using the G-20 with the factory spring or an aftermarket 22lb recoil spring. I don't know what spring rate is with your lasermax, but for hunting I would rather rely on the regular sights. Which of your guns do you see or shoot the most accurate with? That is the one you should be using!

For informational purposes I use the Wolff Gun Spring's 21lb Recoil "non-captured" system in my G-29 and a Wolff 22lb recoil spring in my S&W1006 which work very well.

Good luck to you.

If it were me, I would use my Witness Elite Match

If I were spending your money, I would get a 6" barrel for that Glock.

If I had to choose from your safe, I would take the G20 with the stock sights. I concur with the_Shadow on ditching the lasermax.

I'll throw the stock recoil spring back in the G20, I ordered it with adjustable sights so I'll start practicing with it at 50yds, and try to get proficient with it.

I use 180 gr. xtps. for everything.

I carry my delta elite all the time while I am working on our hunting lease in North Texas. I use a 200gr hard cast that chronographs right around 1200 fps. I have shot a lot of hogs with it and a few dear over the years, it penetrates very well. On a thick skinned animal like a hog, i want the penetration. As long as I do my part, they drop were I hit them.

Ive been looking at different barrels for the G20 found the Lone Wolf http://www.lonewolfdist.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=942 and a KKM http://kkmprecision.com/custom_pistol_barr...t=16&page=1 Was wondering what peoples opinions were of these? The harder part has been finding a better recoil spring setup, Does anyone offer a good kit that has a better guide rod and a 22lb spring?

O_Negative, Don't over look the Storm Lake Barrels http://www.stormlakebarrel.com/, these are great barrels and have many options for the application. I would rank these equal or better than the Bar-Sto barrels, I have two Storm Lake barrels for my G-29 one 10mm 3.78" & 40S&W 3.78" conversion and both are very accurate and function well, the tolerances are tight, the chambers are tight also.

I just read where this guy(Big-Taco Sta-Tite) started making some recoil rod systems and a friend posted the info here on the AR15Armory http://www.ar15armory.com/forums/Big-Taco-...ide-t61903.html

This looks like a great system BTW

Also look at the Wolff Gunsprings system too! http://www.gunsprings.com/SemiAuto/GlockNF.html#G17%20Recoil

Best regards!

I was thinking along these lines, except I'd like to use 180gn "solids" or 180 gn hollow points depending on the situation. Load would be the same, just diferent bullets for different needs. Would that work, or am I oversimplifying things?