DoubleTap Ammunition

DoubleTap delivers what the cartridge was designed to do -- full-power loads using premium components when most major manufacturers play it safe and load light.

DoubleTap Ammunition started in 2002 when Mike McNett got fed up with weak 10mm loads. The major manufacturers were downloading the cartridge so far below its potential that it barely outperformed .40 S&W.

McNett started making 10mm ammunition that actually used the case capacity, and word spread fast through the shooting community. Based in Cedar City, Utah, DoubleTap has grown from a 10mm specialty shop into a full-line manufacturer -- but they still make more 10mm than anyone else on the planet. They're SAAMI compliant, but they load right up to the pressure limits instead of backing off for liability reasons.

Most ammunition companies load conservatively. They want their ammo to function in every gun from a pristine Wilson Combat to a beat-up pawn shop special that hasn't been cleaned in years.

• •Loading philosophy comparison between DoubleTap and major manufacturers

DoubleTap loads hot -- not over pressure, but right at the maximum SAAMI allows. You get the performance the cartridge was designed for.

This means you get the performance the cartridge was designed for. A 10mm from DoubleTap actually delivers 10mm performance instead of glorified .40 S&W numbers. Same goes for their .45 ACP +P, .357 Magnum, and everything else they make.

They use premium components across the board -- Nosler, Sierra, Hornady bullets instead of house brands. You pay more per round, but you're getting what you pay for.

• •DoubleTap Equalizer dual-projectile concept

The Equalizer is their signature innovation -- it uses two projectiles in one case. A jacketed hollow point sits on top of a full metal jacket ball. Fire once, get two wound channels. Available in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP.

Defense loads use premium jacketed hollow points pushed to full velocity. Their 155-grain 10mm JHP hits 1,475 fps from a 5-inch barrel -- that's serious performance.

Controlled Expansion ammunition uses bonded bullets designed to hold together when punching through barriers. Good choice if you need penetration through car doors or heavy clothing.

Hardcast loads are their calling card for dangerous game. The 200-grain hardcast 10mm at 1,300 fps will punch through a bear's skull -- something you can't say about most handgun ammunition.

Training ammunition matches the velocity of their defense loads so your practice sessions feel like the real thing. Most companies load their FMJ light and their JHP hot, which means your muscle memory is built around the wrong recoil impulse.

DoubleTap built their reputation on 10mm, and they still do it better than anyone. When Norma or Federal loads a 10mm, they're thinking about liability lawyers. When DoubleTap loads one, they're thinking about stopping a charging bear.

Their 200-grain hardcast at 1,300 fps from a Glock 20 will outpenetrate most .44 Magnum loads from a 4-inch barrel. That's the kind of performance that made the 10mm famous with the FBI in the first place.

For self-defense in populated areas, their 155-grain bonded JHP delivers massive energy transfer -- over 750 foot-pounds from a semi-automatic handgun. The 180-grain load splits the difference with excellent expansion and good penetration.

DoubleTap's rifle loads follow the same philosophy -- premium bullets pushed to full velocity. Their .308 Winchester loads use Nosler AccuBonds and Sierra MatchKings instead of generic cup-and-core bullets.

The .223 loads are loaded to 5.56 pressure levels, so you get the velocity the cartridge can deliver. Their 62-grain bonded load will punch through barriers that stop lighter bullets.

For hunters, consider these premium options:

• •6.5 Creedmoor - Supersonic and subsonic hunting options
• •.300 Blackout - Premium components for both velocity ranges

DoubleTap operates on a smaller scale than Federal or Winchester, which means popular loads disappear fast. When bear season opens in Alaska, their hardcast 10mm sells out quick. Plan ahead and buy when you see it in stock.

You'll pay premium prices -- expect to spend 50-75% more than budget ammunition. But you're getting premium bullets loaded to maximum performance instead of downloaded budget loads.

Online retailers like MidwayUSA and Lucky Gunner usually have the better selection. Local gun shops carry some DoubleTap, but it's hit or miss on specific loads.

DoubleTap does what ammunition companies should do -- they load cartridges to their design potential using quality components. When you buy a box of their 10mm, you're getting actual 10mm performance instead of the watered-down versions most companies sell.

The Equalizer dual-projectile concept is genuinely innovative, not marketing gimmick. Two wound channels from one trigger pull gives you an advantage in a defensive situation.

Their hardcast loads are the gold standard for bear country.

Their hardcast loads are the gold standard for bear country. It's comforting to know you're carrying something that will actually work if things go sideways.

I've carried their 200-grain hardcast 10mm in brown bear territory, and it's comforting to know you're carrying something that will actually work if things go sideways.

The only downside is availability. DoubleTap's small-batch approach means you can't just walk into Walmart and grab a box. But if you're serious about performance, it's worth the extra effort to source their ammunition.