5 Best 10mm Bear Ammo

When you’re heading into bear country, it’s always a smart idea to re-evaluate your self-defense equipment. Due to several noteworthy factors, the 10mm auto has become a widely used bear gun. Traditional high-caliber bear loads can have excessive recoil and offer a limited number of shots. The 10mm auto maintains a powerful blow while offering a more manageable recoil, improved accuracy, and higher round capacities.

There are many 10mm defense ammo choices on the market with different purposes. To take down a charging grizzly bear, one may want something like a cast bullet or solid copper that will offer greater penetration than something like a jacketed hollow point.

Self-defense in the great outdoors should be taken seriously and MidwayUSA is here to help with popular brands like Underwood, Winchester, HSM, and more. Here are our 5 Best 10mm Bear Ammo options along with our complete 10mm Auto ammo offering. 

1

Underwood Ammunition 10mm Auto 220 Grain Hard Cast Flat Nose Box of 20

While taking advantage of state of the art testing equipment, this high performance ammunition by Underwood is field tested using popular, real firearms that customers are most likely to own out in the real world with all the elements you would experience. If for some reason Underwood Ammunition fails to meet performance expectations, Underwood stands by their product 100% and will make sure the customer is satisfied with every purchase. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable brass cases.

 

Hard cast flat nose bullets are non-expanding, powerfully penetrative bullets that are designed with your woods defense needs in mind; whether fending off wild hogs or black bears, the hard cast flat nose bullets are consistently effective in taking down any wild animals that you may encounter. In contrast to the round nose non-expanding bullets, the flat nose bullets are able to pierce through dense bodies of mass while maintaining their nose forward position, which is optimal for maximum penetration. ­Underwood Ammo’s hard cast featuring a “Black Cherry” coating. Equipped with enhancements from the previous Hi-Tek coating. “Black Cherry” coating is a polymer-based compound; its thermal stability allows it to handle more than any other coating today. The coating will protect against gas cutting with a high degree of wear and abrasion resistance. The “Black Cherry” coating prevents lead to bore contact, thus virtually eliminating lead fouling. All Underwood Ammo rounds utilize flash suppressed powder so that your vision will not be compromised if it becomes necessary to use your firearm in low light.

 

The Underwood nickel plating process provides several key benefits including; improved feeding in all actions of firearms, enhanced corrosion resistance over traditional brass, improved cosmetics, and ease of cleanup during reloading. Nickel plated casings will not tarnish like brass during storage or when in contact with foreign materials such as leather, moisture, and other metals. Until the development of the Ducta-Bright 7a process, nickel plating casings often limited the number of reloads as compared to raw brass. It was claimed that nickel plated brass casings embrittled the brass therefor making it less desirable for reloaders despite the ease of cleanup that nickel plating offers. In addition, ammunition engineers raising concerns of using nickel plating in very hot +P or magnum loads found that traditional nickel plating often cracked deep-drawn cases, or worse, lead to a total failure. This new process eliminates any concern, to the shooter or reloader, of hazard or ability to re-use the brass.

 

Features

  • No plastic burning smell
  • Thermally stable
  • Resistant to weathering and chemical degradation
  • Strong mechanical and tensile strength properties
  • Self-lubricating
  • Able to withstand high pressure conditions
  • Able to withstand high heat conditions
  • High degree of wear and abrasion resistance
  • Reduced friction resistance
  • Good flame retarding properties
  • Coating prevents lead to bore contact thus virtually eliminating lead fouling
  • Shoot higher velocities without lead fouling

What Customers Are Saying

Best there is!

I live in Montana and bought this ammo for four legged protection while hunting, camping, or hiking. Using the Springfield XDM with a 5.25" barrel, everything was flawless. No damage of any kind to the brass or primer. Exceedingly accurate and went through 3/4" plywood like it wasn't there. No significant recoil allowing more rounds to hit your target as opposed to a .44 magnum or larger caliber.
- G Man, 1/30/2019

About Underwood Ammunition

Kevin Underwood started Underwood Ammo in 2013 after seeing a need in the market for better ammunition at a reasonable price. Some of you may be reading this while on-duty, on-reserve, or while off-duty from protecting our neighborhoods. Where-ever you are - We Salute You. Thank you for your service.

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2

Hornady Custom Ammunition 10mm Auto 180 Grain XTP Jacketed Hollow Point Box of 20

Hornady custom-grade ammunition from the factory. Every round of Hornady Custom ammunition is hand inspected before packaging to ensure the highest levels of quality control. Hornady Custom ammunition is manufactured to give shooters and hunters the advantage of hand-loaded accuracy in a factory load. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable brass cases.

 

Hornady XTP bullets were designed for hunting, self-defense, and law enforcement. One of the great things about the XTP bullet is reliable performance, it features controlled expansion where six serrations divide the bullet into six symmetrical sections. These sections weaken the jacket to allow controlled expansion at low velocities and ensures fragmentation does not occur at high velocities. The XTP bullet is really known for its stopping power. They were designed from the beginning to expand reliably at a variety of handgun velocities and deliver deep, terminal penetration with every shot. Most handgun bullets are designed to perform at a single factory-specified velocity where the XTP bullet is designed to offer controlled expansion over a range of velocities. Each XTP Bullet has a swaged core and drawn copper jacket to ensure uniform expansion and in-flight stability. Adding a cannelure to this bullet keeps the core and the jacket locked together while also allowing the cartridge case to tightly crimp, adding security at high velocities.

What Customers Are Saying

Great performance in wet ...

Great performance in wet phone books. The bullet expands and leaves sharp jacket "blades" that cause a lot of damage. Full power load - thanks Hornady! Accurate, clean. Only reason for a 4-star rating instead of a 5-star, is because of the flash, which is substantial. Great as a daytime round, which is what I use it for. If flash were suppressed, this would be the best 10mm defense round available. Overall darn good ammo.
- Charlie, 2/25/2010

About Hornady

“Ten bullets through one hole” is the philosophy that brought Hornady® Manufacturing from a two-man operation in 1949, to a world-leading innovator of bullet, ammunition, reloading tool and accessory design and manufacture today. Change is their constant and daily challenge. They outperform their competitors by ensuring the products they make are the ones their customers need right now, and accurately predict what they’ll want in the future. They recognize trends, and respect when to leave well enough alone. Their workforce includes an ample number of hunters and competitive shooters, as well as veterans and former law enforcement officers. At Hornady® Manufacturing, ammunition is more than their livelihood. It’s a major part of their daily life.

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3

Underwood Ammunition 10mm Auto 140 Grain Lehigh Xtreme Penetrator Lead-Free Box of 20

While taking advantage of state of the art testing equipment, this high performance ammunition by underwood is field tested using popular, real firearms that customers are most likely to own out in the real world with all the elements you would experience. If for some reason Underwood Ammunition fails to meet performance expectations, Underwood stands by their product 100% and will make sure the customer is satisfied with every purchase. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable brass cases.

The Underwood nickel plating process provides several key benefits including; improved feeding in all actions of firearms, enhanced corrosion resistance over traditional brass, improved cosmetics, and ease of cleanup during reloading. Nickel plated casings will not tarnish like brass during storage or when in contact with foreign materials such as leather, moisture, and other metals. Until the development of the Ducta-Bright 7a process, nickel plating casings often limited the number of reloads as compared to raw brass. It was claimed that nickel plated brass casings embrittled the brass therefor making it less desirable for reloaders despite the ease of cleanup that nickel plating offers. In addition, ammunition engineers raising concerns of using nickel plating in very hot +P or magnum loads found that traditional nickel plating often cracked deep-drawn cases, or worse, lead to a total failure. This new process eliminates any concern, to the shooter or reloader, of hazard or ability to re-use the brass.

The Lehigh Xtreme Penetrator bullet features progressive nose geometry, which allows for deep, straight penetration while creating a permanent wound cavity diameter exceeding that of most expanding bullets. To top it off, the bullet is solid copper and is able to overcome barriers to penetration; environmentally friendly, target unfriendly, very unfriendly, downright obnoxiously unfriendly. The magic happens with the nose design where the radial flutes force the hydraulic energy inward and then as the energy is restricted, it accelerates outward creating high pressure spikes damaging surrounding tissue. Kind of similar to sticking your thumb over a garden hose. The permanent wound cavity of the XP is from two to four times greater than what a flat or ball nose bullet generates and often larger than traditional expanding bullets. So what you get is exceptional penetration coupled with a larger permanent wound cavity. The solid copper alloy construction will not deform when contacting hard surfaces like a lead jacketed bullet will do nor will it fragment as some hard cast lead bullets are prone to do. What it will do is overcome surface barriers and penetrate straight and deep while creating a massive wound channel.

Suppressor Safe— The projectile is machined from solid bar stock. This is not a frangible bullet produced from powdered metal.

Features

  • Progressive nose geometry for deep, straight penetration
  • CNC machined from solid copper to overcome barriers to penetration
  • Radial flutes that force the hydraulic energy inward to build pressure
  • A permanent wound cavity that is 2 to 4 times greater than flat or ball nose bullets



What Customers Are Saying

I used this ammunition bear hunting this past fall.

I have used this ammunition in my glock model 40, to successfully harvest 2 black bears, and finish off a couple others. I am very pleased with the results, great penatraition and holds shape even when going through bone like skulls.
- Jed, 2/15/2019

About Underwood Ammunition

Kevin Underwood started Underwood Ammo in 2013 after seeing a need in the market for better ammunition at a reasonable price. Some of you may be reading this while on-duty, on-reserve, or while off-duty from protecting our neighborhoods. Where-ever you are - We Salute You. Thank you for your service.

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4

Winchester Big Bore Ammunition 10mm Auto 200 Grain Semi-Jacket Hollow Point Box of 20

Winchester Big Bore ammunition can be trusted to perform in personal defense situations and hunting applications.

 

Features

  • Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point Design controls and delays expansion
  • Achieves massive shock and produces lethal wound channels
  • Dependable in critical personal defense and hunting situations

 

What Customers Are Saying

Finally

Been waiting on someone to review this. It looks to be exactly what I have been waiting for a bullet designed to hunt that expands some and still penetrates. I got just that, I compared to my 200 grain xtp hand load through water filled milk jugs. Xtp at 1163 got into the 5th jug, Winchester big bore went through 5 and into the 6th and chronos 1191 through 6 inch KKM barrel
- Roadrunner, 6/29/2023

About Winchester

Winchester is The American Legend, a brand built on integrity, hard work, and a deep focus on its loyal Customers. Considered one of the world’s leading ammunition and firearms manufacturers, Winchester has built its reputation on delivering innovative products, providing top-shelf Customer service, and demonstrating industry leadership. Along with ammunition and firearms, Winchester offers many gun parts and accessories as well as tools, apparel, safes and storage, air guns, and more. We offer a huge selection of Winchester products, including the Model 70 Rifle, Super-X Ammunition, SX4 Shotgun, and AA Target Ammo. From our research and development efforts to our manufacturing processes, we understand the value of product quality and performance. With a reputation steeped in tradition, we have earned the moniker ‘The American Legend’ by delivering on our commitment to excellence in everything we do.

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5

Winchester Silvertip Defense Ammunition 10mm Auto 175 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point Box of 20

Winchester Silvertip has been trusted for decades when it matters most. Silvertip Defense ammunition offers the time-proven design with the Power to Defend. The jacketed hollow point design provides maximum stopping power for personal defense scenarios. The jacket profile of the Silvertip bullet ensures reliable functioning, precise accuracy and consistent expansion. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer-primed, reloadable brass cases.

What Customers Are Saying

I would buy this again

I reload however I do buy factory ammunition for self defense loads. This is very accurate in my 1911 and Glock 29. Have used it on coyote and wild hogs. Very good performance with good exit holes.
- Mr Baker, 8/28/2023

About Winchester

Winchester is The American Legend, a brand built on integrity, hard work, and a deep focus on its loyal Customers. Considered one of the world’s leading ammunition and firearms manufacturers, Winchester has built its reputation on delivering innovative products, providing top-shelf Customer service, and demonstrating industry leadership. Along with ammunition and firearms, Winchester offers many gun parts and accessories as well as tools, apparel, safes and storage, air guns, and more. We offer a huge selection of Winchester products, including the Model 70 Rifle, Super-X Ammunition, SX4 Shotgun, and AA Target Ammo. From our research and development efforts to our manufacturing processes, we understand the value of product quality and performance. With a reputation steeped in tradition, we have earned the moniker ‘The American Legend’ by delivering on our commitment to excellence in everything we do.

Shop Now