At 1200 fps, both loads deliver serious energy—over 700 foot-pounds. That’s bear-stopping territory. But not all 1200 fps loads achieve that power the same way.

Our engineers compared our 220gr 10mm load to a leading competitor’s, both built to the same velocity spec. The key difference? The propellant inside.

Our load uses a powder optimized for magnum-level handgun performance, especially with heavier bullets. This means the pressure builds gradually and evenly, reducing the chance of sharp pressure spikes that can lead to inconsistent performance—or worse, accelerated wear on your firearm.

In contrast, some competitors use a faster-burning powder that builds pressure more rapidly. While it can hit the velocity goal, it's often operating closer to maximum pressure, with less room for error. That can lead to snappier recoil, larger muzzle flash, and greater temperature sensitivity.

High-pressure ammunition naturally increases wear on firearms—but how pressure is delivered plays a big role in how fast that wear occurs.

Loads with faster, sharper pressure curves may accelerate wear in key areas:

• Frame and slide battering
• Cracked locking lugs
• Barrel throat erosion
• Premature recoil spring fatigue
• Frame and slide battering

If you’re investing in a premium 10mm pistol, it makes sense to pair it with a load that’s easier on the hardware.

One of the biggest advantages of our load is predictable performance, even across a wide range of temperatures and conditions. Whether you're shooting in the heat of summer or in freezing backcountry weather, you can expect consistent:

• Velocity
• Point of impact
• Reliability
• In colder conditions, some fast-burning powders can struggle to ignite completely, leading to:
• Unburnt powder residue
• Uneven velocity spreads
• Reduced accuracy

Our propellant selection is engineered to avoid these problems—burning clean and complete, no matter the season.

Full-power 10mm loads are never going to feel “soft”—but how they recoil makes a real difference.

Our round is designed to deliver a smoother, longer recoil impulse that feels more like a strong push than a sharp snap. That means:

• Faster follow-up shots
• Less shooter fatigue
• Improved control under stress
• Loads with a faster pressure spike often result in more abrupt recoil, which can be jarring—especially in compact or lightweight pistols.

A clean-burning round is about more than just less time on the workbench—it directly affects cycling reliability and accuracy.

Our round produces:

• Less carbon buildup
• Cleaner feed ramps and chambers
• Fewer malfunctions over extended use
• That’s a real advantage when you’re far from home, in the field for days, or running through high round counts on the range.

The result? More reliability, less maintenance, and longer-lasting performance.

On paper, two 10mm loads might look identical:

• 220 grains
• 1200 fps
• 700+ ft-lbs of energy
• But in the real world, the difference lies in how the round behaves inside the gun—and how it performs in less-than-ideal conditions.

With our 220gr 10mm load, you get:

• Smoother recoil
• More consistent performance
• Lower muzzle flash
• Improved accuracy consistency
• Reduced firearm wear
• More forgiving in extreme temperatures
• Cleaner operation for increased reliability

That’s the difference between chasing numbers on a spec sheet—and designing a round for real-world performance, shot after shot.

That’s the difference between just velocity and intelligently engineered ballistic performance.

When your life—or someone else’s—depends on your gear working exactly as expected, don’t settle. Choose the load that delivers real-world performance in every round.

Thrive Defense — Built for Real-World Defense.