Heritage & History

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.

:::callout
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:

Product Line	Type	Application	Key Feature
Equalizer	Dual-projectile JHP	Self-defense	Two projectiles: JHP + ball
Defense (JHP)	Jacketed Hollow Point	Self-defense, duty	Premium expanding loads
Controlled Expansion (CEJHP)	Bonded JHP	Defense through barriers	Weight retention through glass/drywall
Hardcast	Lead hardcast	Hunting, woods defense	Deep penetration on large/dangerous game
FMJ	Full Metal Jacket	Training, range	Practice loads at full velocity

Caliber specialties:

Caliber	DoubleTap's Reputation	Notable Loads
10mm Auto	World's largest producer; the benchmark	200gr Hardcast (1,300 fps), 155gr BJHP (1,475 fps)
.45 ACP	Hot +P loads available	185gr BJHP +P, 230gr Hardcast
9mm	Full-power and +P options	115gr BJHP (1,415 fps), 124gr +P
.357 Magnum	Full-power magnum loads	158gr BJHP, 200gr Hardcast
.44 Magnum	Heavy hunting loads	320gr Hardcast (1,300 fps)
.454 Casull / .500 S&W	Big bore specialists	Maximum performance handgun hunting

:::callout
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:

Caliber	Notable Loads	Application
.223/5.56	55gr Nosler BT, 62gr Bonded	Varmint, defense
.308 Win	168gr Nosler AccuBond, 175gr SMK	Hunting, precision
6.5 Creedmoor	140gr Nosler AccuBond	Hunting, long-range
.300 BLK	110gr BJHP, 220gr Subsonic	Supersonic + subsonic options
.45-70 Govt	405gr Hardcast	Dangerous game, lever-action

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:

Approach	DoubleTap	Major Manufacturers
Velocity targets	Near maximum SAAMI pressure	Conservative, well below max
Component selection	Premium (Nosler, Sierra, Hornady bullets)	Mix of premium and house
QC approach	Small-batch with inspection	High-volume automated
Performance claims	Specific velocity from specific barrel length	Often conservative/understated

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)

:::callout
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:

Load	Velocity (5" barrel)	Energy	Best For
200gr Hardcast	~1,300 fps	~750 ft-lbs	Bear defense, large game
155gr BJHP	~1,475 fps	~750 ft-lbs	Self-defense, maximum velocity
180gr BJHP	~1,305 fps	~680 ft-lbs	All-around 10mm defense
135gr Nosler JHP	~1,600 fps	~767 ft-lbs	Maximum energy transfer

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?

If You Need...	Buy This	Why
10mm bear defense	200gr Hardcast	Gold standard for semi-auto bear protection
10mm self-defense	155gr or 180gr BJHP	Full-power 10mm expansion
Innovative self-defense	Equalizer (any caliber)	Dual projectile = two wound channels
Big-bore hunting	Hardcast in .44 Mag or .45-70	Maximum penetration on tough game
Precision rifle hunting	Nosler AccuBond loads	Premium bullets at DoubleTap velocities
Training that matches carry	FMJ in your carry caliber	Full-velocity practice

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

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

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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?