10mm DoubleTap 165-grain Bonded JHP Ammo Test

After converting my Glock 21 to 10mm, I've tested a few different rounds from it. I had a box of DoubleTap bonded hollowpoints, and thought they deserved a chance.
At the time I did this test, I didn't know that this ammo was loaded with Speer Gold Dot bullets. I'm not 100% certain that these are actually Gold Dots, but -- I'm about 99.8% certain that they are. And a Gold Dot, loaded hot by DoubleTap, and fired from a 10mm full-size pistol -- that's a combination I certainly wanted to see tested!
In this test, I fired four bullets into a gel block; two through bare gel, and two through denim. I couldn't do any more, since the block was so torn up by the initial stretch cavities that there just wasn't space to put more shots in the block.
Unfortunately, one of the bare-gel bullets exited the side of the block at about 14". The remaining bare bullet and the two denim bullets performed extremely well. All the bullets penetrated deeply, and the denim bullets showed ideal expansion. The bare-gel bullet showed signs of overexpansion and looked like it came close to ripping apart, but didn't.
Note: I'm not making any claims for these videos other than that these are the results I achieved, in my own testing, from the stated pistol. I have no intention to make a blanket endorsement or indictment of any product, only to review and report what I found in a given instance. Obviously it is incumbent upon each individual to conduct their own research and make up their own mind about which defensive ammunition is best for their own purposes, in their own firearms. Also keep in mind that individual firearms can be persnickety; my pistol may feed a particular round consistently whereas your pistol might jam on those rounds, so -- please conduct your own testing before trusting any particular ammo.
The purpose of this testing is to find which rounds of ammo perform well enough that they can reliably deliver the penetration (with expansion) that has been documented and proven necessary in order for the bullet to be able to reach the vital organs of an attacker and deliver an incapacitating hit.
We are NOT talking about 12" of penetration through a body! We're talking about 12" of penetration through ballistic gel.
For those who don't understand why the 12" penetration distance is so important, please see my blog entries on the subject:
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Subscribe to the channel here to see the rest of the episodes in this series, as well as other ammo tests and equipment reviews. And check out the blog at www.shootingthebull.net.

[@Mrgunsngear]

great video as always.

[@augustusheyliger6421]

10 mm just a beast of a round!!

[@JimLBon]

Love all your videos. These are a go-to for ammo choice. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this!

[@ShootingTheBull410]

Jim Bonney Thanks!

[@dannman420]

I wouldn't expect anything less from double tap hands down the best ammo company out there

[@dannman420]

I love the 9mm pocket pistol videos but it's nice that you changed it up on in a while keep up the good work

[@miccheck11]

Federal needs to make some real 10mm with HST

[@ShootingTheBull410]

miccheck11 Now that would be interesting. But until then, these Gold Dots were a stellar performer, and the DPX was also extremely good, so there are great options out there already.

[@miccheck11]

Yea I have some Underwood 10mm 180gr Gold Dots and they shoot like a dream!

[@louv4437]

miccheck11 HST sucks, place bone in-between the denim and gel because it’s not bonded it breaks up it’s useless. Humans have 206 bones some of the strongest human bones? Rib cage! Bullets that passed the bone test with ease? Underwood extreme, defender, the ammo in this video, bonded golden saber and ICC duty and defense

[@southbayrickybobby5820]

miccheck11 I’ve come to find out if you want specific loads for 10mm you need to hand load.

[@louv4437]

miccheck11 uuumm hst are not bonded and will fail through bone! Will work great if you get attacked by gel though

[@norwester7018]

ShootingTheBull... doing 10mm!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! How did I miss this??? This is GREAT!!!! As a 10mm shooter/enthusiast it's great to have a series/channel this quality doing some testing on one of my favorite "jack-of-all-trades" semi-auto calibers. Great stuff and as always, thanks for the great content.

[@TommyboyGTP]

Those are Gold Dots. Underwood loads them as well in different weights, and they are awesome.

[@isaacarnold4635]

There is a line of thinking these days that all handgun defensive calibers/cartridges are equally ineffective, might as well carry a 9mm with lower recoil and higher capacity. Time and time again, as I see 10mm tests and test it myself, I think it destroys this argument. The 10mm is awesome, yet underrated and underutilized. Only problem is the major ammo manufacturers do not offer decent ammo for it, you have to go to Buffalo Bore, Underwood and Double Tap.

[@ShootingTheBull410]

Isaac Arnold I do see their arguments, and many respected folks carry the 9mm. For me, when I have the choice and the ability, I prefer .45 or 10mm. There's just a lot more "there" there. But if you're someone who shoots the 9mm much better than you shoot the 10mm, that's a good argument for sticking with 9mm. With all calibers, proper shot placement to hit the vital organs is the far and away most significant factor.

[@chopinbloc]

Don't forget the Federal 180 gr Trophy Bonded soft point, Winchester Silvertip, and Hornady Critical Duty.

[@krombopulousmichael8418]

10mm, 40 and .357 sig blow 9mm out of the water. I carry a kahr pm40 and I use cor bon 135 grain pow 'r ball, because the gun weighs a little less than 17 ounces so the lighter recoil is good, but its still goes 1325 fps so its 526 ftlbs and is more than adequate for my sub compact option. for my custom 10mm 1911, (Caspian railed frame, delta elite slide, nowlin ramped barrel, Wilson combat trigger) I like the doubletap 200 grain hardcast for hunting and woods defense, which go more than 1300fps out of my nowlin barrel. I also like the underwood 155 grain xtp hollowpoints which go 1500 fps out of my nowlin. keep shooting!

[@chopinbloc]

krombopulous michael 135gr 0.400" expanding bullets don't have the sectional density to get adequate penetration.

[@krombopulousmichael8418]

The Chopping Block go watch Scuba0z videoon 135 grain cor bon hollow points, they get 1310 I think out of his glock 27 and they get 14.5" almost 15" of penetration with 4 layers of denim. I get what you are saying, but I that's why I chose a load that I knew would perform well, I am not saying you don't have a good point tho.

[@chaindrivesumner9470]

professionally executed video , well done as with he rest of em.

[@DC2Megaboost]

Just beautiful 10mm is my favorite round

[@Knightrem]

Lovin the shuttlecock look of the bare gel shot.

[@1989oluo]

Thank you for your test. I've been carrying this load for sometime now. Many people have hated on this particular load when I tell them what I am carrying in my Delta Elite or Glock even though I carry different loads in each gun in different loads in each backup mag but this is the primary carry load for me. Your test was a great test bed that vindicates my carry load. I did shoot pigs with different 10 mm ammo and there is many good ones out but I'll keep the DT 165 bonded for now. Also my other primary load is Corbon's 155g Xtac or however it's spelled. Thanks

[@ShootingTheBull410]

1989oluo The CorBon 155g DPX was a superb performer too, most definitely.

[@elektro3000]

Underwood and Doubletap are known for loading calibers like 10mm Auto as hot as possible and when they use the lighter bullets, it seems like they're not just being pushed a little beyond their intended window but a lot. Looks like bonding the lead core to the jacket actually reinforced those petals just enough to keep them from shearing off. The Gold Dot is a really exceptional bullet design and allows this loading to turn in good numbers, but 165 grains does not seem like the optimal bullet weight.

[@ShootingTheBull410]

elektro3000 The bare gel bullet did certainly look like that. It's possible the 180-grain would bring the velocity down enough to keep that from happening. On the other hand, it's possible that the 165 might be ideal from a shorter barrel like the G29.

[@j.p.4541]

Great review, keep ‘‘em coming

[@Danmandingo]

*Ugh... anybody who gets shot with a 10mm, looks like they're in for a WORLD OF HURT.* *O____o*

[@GoblinKnightLeo]

+Danmandingo Glock markets the G20 as a hunting pistol for a reason.

[@johns184]

Yes your doing 10 mm found the 380 & 9mm very educational so much so my carry ammo is based off your tests keep up the phenomenal work

[@TwinklesTheChinchilla]

Hot 10mm loads have been known to separate the jackets of bonded bullets; an unfortunate side effect of most .40 cal bullets being calibrated for .40 S&W use.

[@louv4437]

10mm is the best man stopper only thing close is 357 sig or 45scp in some of those new rounds pushing those big ass bullets 1225 FPS and 600 foot pounds of energy

[@Thumpr110]

Absolutely love your videos. Please keep up the excellent work!

[@ShootingTheBull410]

Tyler Andrew Thanks!

[@revistadearmas]

Nice review !

[@budterence85]

Awesome test, as always. Greetings from Germany.

[@chopinbloc]

Nice! Thank you for testing 10mm. I consider you to be the gold standard of KZbin testers. Your results are consistent with my own. I tested Underwood 165 gr Gold Dot and got a little higher velocity and a little less penetration, which is what you would expect. I'll link your test in my video a soon as I get back to my PC. Here's my test if you're interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXm8dpt9odxrba8

[@TheWoundChannel]

10mm is best mm

[@justindr.yaegertodd6220]

Recoil is too extreme for ACCURATE follow up shots... I don't want to need to fire 5,000 rounds before I get used to the recoil!

[@TheWoundChannel]

Justin Todd recoil is not extreme with 165 gr. you should practice with any gun

[@justindr.yaegertodd6220]

I'm happy with my 9mm 115's that go 1280fps and have 420ft/lbs :-)

[@TheWoundChannel]

Justin Todd :)

[@chopinbloc]

Justin Todd Just because you *can* load it to nookular insanity levels, doesn't mean you *have* to. See, that's the coolest thing about 10mm: its versatility.

[@joeyphillips1181]

165 grain bullets kick ass in 40 and 10mm!

[@james2982]

love your channel! so much in depth info. thank you. do you have any plans to test the underwood 10mm 155 grain gold dot? i, and surely many more, would be very interested to see how it holds up going the 1500fps/805 ftlbs they are claiming. as far as i can tell, no one on youtube has done it yet. thanks!

[@topthrilljoester]

I enjoy the 10mm tests. Granted its a full size gun you are using, lately Ive been carrying a g29.

[@ShootingTheBull410]

topthrilljoester Future tests will include G29 as well.

[@ZachBillings]

Try the Underwood 180gr bonded JHP (it's a gold dot). I tested it in clear gel the other day. The denim shots were like your results here and the bare gel shots also became mangled but all stayed together. They were also doing 1270fps which I bet is more power than these.

[@CharlesSchwartz-QAS]

If an ammo maker is going to push a JHP to its limit, the Gold Dot is the right bullet to use.

[@timblack131]

God dang, I love me some gold dots.

[@TheXopony]

10mm loading ,gave these bullets about all they could handle .

[@NuclearGrizzly]

That has been my carry round for years.

[@corvoshlorpe3849]

I know this is slightly off topic but any chance you'll be doing a review of the Hornady American Gunner ammo anytime soon? Specifically the 9mm 124 grain +P from your Sig? ShootingTheBull410

[@ShootingTheBull410]

Joseph L Not anytime soon, as I don't have any. But eventually, possibly.

[@jamesstewart5005]

Makes me wish I owned a 10mm.

[@Jurocket]

Are you gonna test the glock 29? Would like to see some 10mm tests out of the shorter barrel.

[@ShootingTheBull410]

Jurocket Yes, G29 tests will be included in the future.

[@jonkingsley87]

yes, would be nice to see, I usually subtract 75-95 fps for every inch lost of barrel length . so while my UW 180s are tested at 1300, it'd be safe to assume they reach about 1225 or so, still not bad.. throw a kkm barrel in and your good to go.

[@rpcdude]

Great video.

[@WitchdoktahArms]

how bout 10mm vs .460 rowland

[@TaskForceSixTwoSix]

I know tnoutdoors9 already tested the 10mm 180 grain gold dots from Underwood and he got between 17 and 18 inches of penetration, but he only shot a single bullet into the gel. And another KZbinr named "The Chopping Block" showed those same bullets only penetrating about 11 inches. So, I'd love to see you test them in order to see which test was more accurate since penetration differences that large seem odd.

[@ShootingTheBull410]

TaskForceSixTwoSix The different results seems pretty easy to understand to me -- the tnoutdoors9 bullet looked like it nearly ripped itself apart, thus making a smaller overall surface area, which penetrated deeper. It looked a lot like the bare gel bullet I got in my test. The Chopping Block's bullet looked fully properly expanded (more like the denim bullets in my test) and a big expanded bullet is harder to push deep. Really, the variations you're seeing between their two tests are exactly why I don't like to use just a single shot for a proper test -- I prefer to put five shots per block, so that we can get a better overall view of how the ammo performs without the perception being skewed by any one particular shot. In this test that I did here, I only had four shots, and two of those denim and two of those bare, and that's really not how I prefer to do it, but it's what I had available to me on that day. Ideally we'd see five bullets in bare and five bullets in denim or, sometimes if I have only one block available, I'll do three bullets denim and two bullets bare. That's about what I consider the bare minimum for being able to have gotten a reasonable idea of how the bullet is likely to perform. That's what I would have done on this test, except the initial damage done to the block was so extensive during the expansion/temporary cavity phase, that there wasn't enough virgin gel left to get a fifth shot in there. I wouldn't mind testing the 180-grain Gold Dots, either from Underwood or DoubleTap. Heck, I may have some here that I just have to dig around to find, but I don't think so...

[@TaskForceSixTwoSix]

ShootingTheBull410 Well, even if they'd only penetrate 11 inches if they fully expand properly, I still wouldn't rule them out for self-defense since the foot pounds of energy and the damage tracks are so impressive. Thinking that a 9mm bullet that produces 350 foot pounds of energy is superior to a 10mm bullet that produces twice that simply because the 9mm bullets penetrate 16 inches and the 10mm bullets penetrate 10 inches seems illogical to me.

[@elektro3000]

ShootingTheBull410 I'm pretty sure you DO have some Underwood loaded 180 grain Gold Dots, take a look...

[@chopinbloc]

ShootingTheBull410 I absolutely concur. Penetration can vary substantially, especially when the bullet is pushed beyond the velocity for which it was designed. I usually only test one shoot peer load because I want to get as many tests done as I can in an outing and I consider my tests to be only a rough approximation of performance potential. I am not a professional by any means.

[@lonewanderer3603]

Any plans on doing 38 SP testing?

[@mrnickbig1]

Any reason why you never gave the actual measurements of the expanded bullets?

[@mmabiker1982]

I love your videos

[@rixpix2957]

10mm rules.

[@emiller023]

I don't see how so many people are convinced that there is not any difference in self defense caliber and that 9mm is as good as any. I just don't drink that kool aid and I never will. If you look at all the various ballistic video testing you see big differences in wound tracks from various calibers. The 10mm and .357 sig are at the top of my list for being well armed. A 9mm will get you by and if that is your thing great. Seeing is believing.

[@ShootingTheBull410]

emiller023 I carry a 10mm when I can, or a .45. I do think that a 9mm may be sufficient many times, but I definitely prefer the more powerful rounds.

[@TheDixieBassMan]

Will you ever do 44 magnum or 357 magnum ammo tests from a 5 inch barrel? I carry a ruger redhawk 5 1/2 and use the 250 grain winchester platinum tips.I'm trying to get some 200 grain xtps or some underwood 180-240 grain ammo but I'll stick with the 180 grain.i think loading the 240 grain at that speed it will likely over Penetrate.standard loads seam right at the edge .

[@ShootingTheBull410]

TheDixieBassMan I don't have a .44 Magnum revolver. I do have a .357 with a 4" barrel, so I may do some .357 some day.

[@benmartin8003]

Have you seen any ballistic gel testing done with Underwood's 10mm Xtreme defender loads?

[@jonnyg44]

Love the vid thanks

[@Philly1958]

Love your vids. Have you picked a 9mm winner? Also, any consideration for 38 special ammo quest from short barrels? Thanks

[@ShootingTheBull410]

gstea1 9mm is still far from being fully tested, so no definitive winner has been chosen. And I don't have a .38 snubby revolver to conduct suitable testing from.

[@LYLEWOLD]

ShootingTheBull410 I'd let you borrow one of mine, since I've gotten so much out of your tests, but they're both too old. couple old detective specials from 1935 (I was told to stay away from +p). I enjoy your videos, as always.

[@LYLEWOLD]

***** good points on expansion vs penetration.

[@ShootingTheBull410]

I will be conducting .38 Special tests in the near future, so answers may be forthcoming.

[@ShootingTheBull410]

***** It's a Ruger LCR .38+P, 1.875" barrel.

[@jperkey7089]

i LOVE my 10mm FS 1911 amazing round

[@828enigma6]

TN9OUTDOORS had the same almost-separation issue with Underwood's loading of the Gold Dot 180gr from a Glock 20. Good bullets, just slightly outside their design parameters. I'd use the for antipersonnel purposes with no hesitation. Probably would be even better from the shorter barrel of a Glock 29 due to slightly reduced velocity

[@ShootingTheBull410]

Just saw that The Chopping Block has conducted a similar test, and in his test the bullet ended up looking an awful lot like the bare bullet in my test... kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXm8dpt9odxrba8

[@musthavecoffee1078]

Great testing video, as always. Love you channel.

[@chopinbloc]

Thank you for the shout out, ShootingTheBull410 .

[@Military_Civilian_Nurse]

+The Chopping Block +Shootingthebull410 compared to federal, hornady, Winchester, and buffalo bore, would you guys say that double tap has better expansion and is Less likely to over penetrate in real work scenarios? I'm about to buy a glock 29 and I can't decide which hollow point to use for self defense carry

[@chopinbloc]

+J B I haven't forgiven DT for lying about their velocity for years. My personal opinion is that they best defense loads for 10mm are: Underwood 165 gr Gold Dot (full power, modest but adequate penetration) Winchester 175 gr Silvertip (a touch light, but lower recoil also) Hornady 175 gr Critical Duty (same as above) Federal 180 gr Trophy Bonded soft point (deep penetration plus decent expansion) Underwood 220 gr hard cast. (stupid deep penetration) The latter two would be for woods defense.

[@walterashworth1011]

+The Chopping Block they dont lie about their velocity they are based out of Colorado their higher elevation is responsible for the differences in advertised vs what most consumers experince

[@bbs19]

How far away were you when firing each round?

[@bcrow8090]

I'm guessing these would fail (separation/fragment) from a 16" mech tech given the bare gel example in this test. I am really curious what would work from a 16" barrel. Maybe with the increasing popularity of pistol caliber carbines the ammo manufacturers will custom tailor something...... probably not though.

[@miccheck11]

B Crow I would guess maybe some Tac-Xp would hold up

[@ShootingTheBull410]

miccheck11 I tested some TAC-XP (CorBon DPX) from the carbine, and they sheared off all the petals. The remaining base was still a big bullet, but it didn't benefit from expansion because the petals all ripped off...

[@sonictech1000]

I think if you went to a heavier bullet it would hold together.

[@chopinbloc]

ShootingTheBull410 I had similar results with a .357 DPX I tested from a carbine. Lots of disruption in the first few inches and decent penetration from the "core". In my entirely inexpert opinion, that would ruin somebody's day.

[@T-DsGaming]

Any interest in testing the .357sig? I recently switched to it for my edc and would like to see you do some tests with it.

[@ShootingTheBull410]

KingLT82 I don't have any .357 Sig firearms, but could conceivably see getting a barrel for one of my other pistols... I don't foresee doing any testing on .357 Sig in the near future but maybe someday...

[@T-DsGaming]

ShootingTheBull410 Ok thanks for responding, I was just curious.

[@MrThaTank]

wheres the 45 ammo testing.No disrespect to the other calibers,But Alot of people carry short barrel 45s

[@ShootingTheBull410]

ThaTank Garner It's planned, but it's going to have to wait until I clear out more of this 9mm and 10mm testing first.

[@UrDoinItWrong]

Awesome, TNoutdoors9 has seen similarly impressive permanent cavities in 10mm. Seems like some of the hyperbole about the round is warranted. Handloaders on glocktalk have also posted some crazy pics of consistently expanded 1" 165gr gold Dots @12-1300fps. They do well and hold together at the higher speeds for sure.

[@marks2091]

Never shoot double tap again. 357 sig squibed leaving a round half way up the barrel.(glock 32) and had a 10mm casing sheer completely in half leaving half of the casing in the barrel (Kriss Vector). Never ever again.

[@jordanaug81]

Why is it that with 10mm, lighter bullets don't really get much faster than heavier ones? Even with Underwood and Doubletap, 165gr isn't moving much faster if at all over 180gr.

[@Deadtileyedie]

Underwoods 165 gold dots are 1400 fps but I honestly think the gold dots preform better around 1300 fps...past that it pushs there envolope and cause under penetration and jacket separation, these bullets were designed for 40sw until they start designing some 40 cal bullets to handle the velocities of 10mm this is the type of stuff your going to see..they still get past 12" and stay together with great exspantion so I still prefer them for carry

[@unsc0212able]

@@Deadtileyedie what do you use for edc carry?

[@Deadtileyedie]

Spartan 212 Underwood 165 gr gold dots or extreme defenders

[@Deadtileyedie]

ga arms makes a 165 gr gold dots that's cheaper and a little slower, but I carry Underwood is everything I carry

[@unsc0212able]

@@Deadtileyedie i just fired 60 rounds of Underwood 165gr gold dots 10mm and man they were accurate. Fired feom 5 to 15 yrds using one and 2 handed. To me was alot better then Underwood 155gr xtp. Have you used Hornady 155gr XTP?

[@D5quared91]

Temporary stretch cavity means nothing. This round performs no better at ALL over much lower recoil .45 ACP loads such as the Federal HST 230 grain standard pressure, which penetrates 13" through gel (4 layers of denim) and expands to .89" caliber. What's the point of all this 10mm power when it's getting you basically nothing over .45 ACP?

[@louv4437]

As a former trauma surgeon 10mm and 357 sig are not kind to humans

[@thehotsixer1]

Well done, another excellent video.

[@tikkidaddy]

Seen a guy on KZbin drop a huge ELK with 3 shots of DoubleTap from a Dan Wesson 10mm. I don't care what you say or believe, that is enough.for me. Humans are smaller, more fragile, smarter in some cases than ELK, and most know what being shot is. Capacity is a moot point between the G20 and 9mm variants. Most gun encounters occur at less distance. Nobody is offering to be shot by a 10mm that I've seen. 40SNW ISN'T BAD IT'S JUST WEAKER. It's time to cut thru the hype and get to the reality of these caliber issues, and STB410 helps me do that and saves me $$$$!!! Thanks