Gel test: 10mm 180 gr SIG V-Crown

A

Andrew Wiggin

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Link to gel test video

10mm 180 gr Sig V Crown JHP fired from 4.45" barrel EAA Witness through four layers of denim into calibrated 10% ordnance gelatin.

BB: 590.2 fps, 3.6"

Impact velocity: 1,190 fps
Penetration: >14"
Retained weight: 179.8 gr
Max expansion: 0.742"
Min expansion: 0.555"


The 9mm SIG V-Crown had similar performance. Nice, healthy, but not ridiculous velocity, penetration a little on the deep side, but not excessive. Some jacket separation that doesn't lead to weight loss. So far, I'd say that SIG's new line looks like a legitimate alternative. I'd still prefer Gold Dot or HST, but these look adequate. I've read that the projectiles are made by Sierra.
 
Every Underwood vid that I have seen shows velocities are pretty much spot on, if not a little conservative.

The original specs for 10mm called for a 200 grain bullet at 1200 FPS.
 
The 180 grain .40 that Underwood sells is listed at 1100. I would assume that a .40 cal would be safe for at least that much and probably a bit more with the 1100 being an average. I'm not a hand loader (yet) and I would never suggest anything that isn't commercially available is safe, but I would guess that the 1190 of the Sig 10 mil isn't far enough off of the hot .40 to make it worth spending on 10mm ammo. If that was as good as 10 gets I would just stick with .40.
 
Velocity is great and all, but the Sig v crown is a consistent poor performer, usually failing to expand round after round, shedding jackets completely and inconsistent penetrations. Hopefully these problems are being addressed, but the 9mm/357 Sig bullets are worthless. I thought a name as big as Sig would want to make sure they have a top performing bullet design to slap their name on.

If I was going to embark on a bullet to slap my name on, knowing that someone else is manufacturing the bullets, I would take a gold-dot design, close the mouth slightly and add a polymer tip. Even the golden sabre isnt terrible and I bet would perform well as a tipped round.
 
The velocity is a little on the low side, but it would be very hot for a .40 S&W. That said, I don't believe that 10mm (or any cartridge, fit that matter) should be loaded to max SAAMI spec for personal defense. The extra recoil and muzzle flash gain little in tissue damage and faster, more accurate shooting is more important for defense. The full power potential of the cartridge is better utilized in hunting and large animal defense, where a flat trajectory of deep penetration are priorities.

My testing had been very limited, but the V-Crown hasn't shed its jacket in my testing. If it were going to, this would have been the one to make it happen. The 9mm penetrated more deeply than most would probably prefer, but otherwise performed adequately. I hear the bullets are made by Sierra.

Here's a more comprehensive, but possibly also more biased review of the line: http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/ammo-test-sig-sauer-elite-performance-v-crown-9mm/

I'm not impressed with the bare gel results. Bottom line, for me is that it may be okay ammo, and it's encouraging to see another big name making 10mm ammo, but it's far from ideal and I would be inclined to stick with Gold Dot or Federal 180 gr JSP in 10mm.
 
Nothing I've seen here gives me any reason to go away from the Double Tap 155gr. Gold Dot load. It's proven in my gun, is barrier-blind, expands great, and has no problems with bullet failure. Proving out something else would cost at least $200. No thanks.
 
In my admittedly limited amateur testing, no lead core 155 gr or lighter 10mm met the 12" minimum, not even Gold Dot. The 165 gr did well, though.
 
In my admittedly limited amateur testing, no lead core 155 gr or lighter 10mm met the 12" minimum, not even Gold Dot. The 165 gr did well, though.
Click to expand...
Neither does Federal 357B, and it's the most effective pistol combat load in history. 12" standards are for those who like to be wrong.

The Gold Dot 165 is prone to bullet failures due to an over-large cavity, and is not recommended at any velocity.
 
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