DoubleTap Ammunition is an American ammunition manufacturer founded in 2002 by Mike McNett, specializing in high-performance hunting and defensive ammunition. Based in Cedar City, Utah, DoubleTap began as a 10mm Auto specialist and has grown into what is reportedly the world's largest producer of 10mm ammunition.

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DoubleTap was born from the 10mm Auto community — a devoted group of shooters who felt that major manufacturers loaded the cartridge below its potential. Mike McNett started making 10mm loads that actually delivered the performance the cartridge was designed for, and the brand grew from there.
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Key milestones:

• 2002 — Founded by Mike McNett; exclusive focus on 10mm Auto
• 2000s — Expanded to other calibers; built reputation for hot-loaded ammunition
• 2010s — Grew into full-line ammunition manufacturer
• Present — SAAMI member; manufactured in Cedar City, Utah; specializes in maximum-performance loads

Product Lines

DoubleTap covers both handgun and rifle ammunition with an emphasis on maximum performance within SAAMI specifications:

Handgun ammunition:

Caliber specialties:

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DoubleTap's 10mm Hardcast loads are considered the gold standard for bear defense in a semi-automatic handgun. The 200gr hardcast at 1,300 fps from a Glock 20 provides deep straight-line penetration that outperforms many .44 Magnum loads from shorter barrels.
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Rifle ammunition:

Innovation & Technology

DoubleTap's innovations center on pushing cartridge performance to the edge of SAAMI specifications:

Equalizer dual-projectile technology:

• Single cartridge contains two projectiles stacked
• First: jacketed hollow point for expansion
• Second: full metal jacket ball for penetration
• Creates two wound channels from one trigger pull
• Available in 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP

Loading philosophy:

Quality control:

• Manufactured in Cedar City, Utah facility
• Uses premium components across all product lines
• Specific barrel lengths listed for all velocity claims
• SAAMI compliant (despite reputation for "hot" loads)

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The "hot load" reputation: DoubleTap loads run at or near maximum SAAMI pressure — which is entirely within spec. They feel hotter because most major manufacturers load conservatively below max pressure. DoubleTap simply delivers what the cartridge was designed to do. This is not the same as exceeding SAAMI specifications.
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Performance & Use Cases

10mm Auto — DoubleTap's signature:

Hunting applications:

• Hardcast loads in .44 Mag, .45-70, 10mm for dangerous game
• Nosler AccuBond rifle loads for deer/elk
• Deep penetration designs for bear and moose

Self-defense:

• Equalizer dual-projectile for maximum effect
• Bonded JHP (CEJHP) for barrier penetration
• Standard JHP for conventional defensive use

Training:

• FMJ loads available in most calibers at full velocity
• Matches the recoil profile of defense loads (important for realistic practice)

Buyer's Guide

Which DoubleTap loads should you buy?

Availability notes:

• DoubleTap is a smaller manufacturer — popular loads go out of stock
• Best purchased through online retailers (MidwayUSA, Lucky Gunner)
• Some local gun shops carry DoubleTap, but selection varies
• Price per round is premium but justified by component quality

Price positioning: Premium tier. DoubleTap costs more than Blazer or Winchester White Box, but you're paying for premium components (Nosler, Sierra, Hornady bullets) loaded to maximum performance.

One concern: Some budget/older firearms may not handle sustained use of near-max-pressure ammunition. DoubleTap is SAAMI compliant, but if your firearm is marginal or poorly maintained, start with a few boxes and verify reliable function before buying in bulk.

References

• DoubleTap Ammunition official site: doubletapammo.com
• 10mm Auto enthusiast community reviews
• Lucky Gunner ammo testing: DoubleTap ballistic data
• Outdoor Life: bear defense ammunition comparisons

Read the original article in The Handbook | By Boise Gun Club Editorial Team

Join the Discussion

Have you run any DoubleTap loads, and if so, how'd they perform compared to what you were using before—especially curious about their 10mm stuff since they seem pretty focused on that caliber?