Of all of the 10mm votes, how many of you have one?
It's not an everyday cartridge. I don't know anyone with one, nor have a I met anyone with one. I've only read about it.
Is it gaining popularity?
Ya might just be looking in the wrong places and talking to the wrong people. 10mm Glocks are very popular here in Colorado; most of my friends have one. Mine is a custom one I made back in 2004/2005 that became a major motivator for Lone Wolf Distributor's long slide offerings. Yes, most people who have one reload to keep the ammo costs in line but in truth I don't see why everyone doesn't reload by now. All 8 calibers I shoot are made by me, they save me 70-80% on ammo costs over commercial, and I can make them as mild or hot as I choose.
Now to a woods gun. I think either the 357mag or 10mm is a great choice as long as you get either in a 6" barrel over their shorter versions to allow them to reach their energy potential and give you a longer sight radius. If I'm just bumming out in the woods, I'll take my custom G20L. All I do is remove the magwell and I'm got to go.
With 17+1 rds of either 165grn HP at 1,503fps or 180grn hardcast at 1,423fps, I'm comfortable I can stand up to any 2 or 4 legged threat. The longslide's 6" barrel gives me much higher velocities with the high energy Power Pistol powder I use over a stock length barrel and with a 28% longer sight radius and better sights, I've got much better accuracy with it too. Best of all, even with triple the ammo load aboard, its got slightly better performance, is lighter, and more compact than a 6" S&W 686 357mag with only 6 rds ready for use.
However, if I'm out with my 357mag carbine in the woods, I naturally take my 357mag Cavalry model SA instead because of both the ammo consistency as well as the period consistence. Even though it only holds 6 rds, it's along for the ride with my 357mag carbine that holds 12+1rds of my hot handloaded 158grn JSP producing almost 2,100fps. That'll give most anything that moves out here a very bad day at close, defensive ranges. Besides, I can also take along some really light loaded plinking ammo for it too.
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