Sig Sauer is best known for its pistols, but the company also loads its own ammo under the Elite Performance name. Sig Sauer 10mm ammo comes down to two loads on our shelves: a 180-grain V-Crown hollow point for carry and a 180-grain FMJ for training. Both list the same speed and energy. That simple setup is the whole point, and this guide explains why it works.
The Two Sig Sauer 10mm Loads
V-Crown 180-Grain JHP
The Sig V-Crown 10mm 180-grain JHP lists 1,250 fps and 624 ft-lb. It comes in a 20-round box.
V-Crown is Sig’s defense bullet. It uses a stacked hollow point, which means there is a smaller cavity below the main one. The goal is reliable expansion while holding enough weight to drive deep.
Elite Performance 180-Grain FMJ
The Sig Sauer 10mm 180-grain FMJ lists 1,250 fps and 624 ft-lb. It comes in a 50-round box. This is the range partner for the V-Crown.
Why a Matched Pair Matters
When your practice load and your carry load share the same bullet weight and speed, they feel alike. Recoil is about the same. The point of impact should be close. Your timing and grip carry over from training to carry.
Many people practice with a light, cheap load and carry something much hotter. Then the first time they shoot the carry load, it surprises them. A matched pair cuts that risk. You still need to test the V-Crown in your own gun, but the FMJ lets you build skills with the same feel for less money.
How Sig’s Loads Compare With Other 180-Grain Rounds
At 1,250 fps, Sig’s loads run on the strong side of the 180-grain 10mm field. Here is how they compare with other 180-grain loads in our catalog.
| Load | Grain | Bullet | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal American Eagle FMJ | 180 | FMJ | 1,030 | 424 | 50-round box |
| Federal Champion FMJ | 180 | FMJ | 1,060 | 449 | 50-round box |
| Sellier & Bellot FMJ | 180 | FMJ | 1,164 | 543 | 50-round box |
| Buffalo Bore Low Recoil JHP | 180 | JHP | 1,200 | 575 | 20-round box |
| Sig V-Crown JHP | 180 | JHP | 1,250 | 624 | 20-round box |
| Sig Elite FMJ | 180 | FMJ | 1,250 | 624 | 50-round box |
| Underwood Range Supply FMJ | 180 | FMJ | 1,250 | 625 | 50-round box |
| Underwood XTP JHP | 180 | JHP | 1,300 | 676 | 20-round box |
| Buffalo Bore JHP | 180 | JHP | 1,350 | 728 | 20-round box |
All figures are each maker’s published muzzle data. A short barrel will give lower numbers.
The Sig loads match the Underwood Range Supply 180-grain FMJ at 1,250 fps. They run faster than Federal and Sellier & Bellot, and slower than Buffalo Bore’s full-power JHP at 1,350 fps.
A Short 10mm Background
The 10mm Auto arrived in the early 1980s as a powerful round for semi-auto pistols. The FBI used it for a time, and a shorter version of its case became the .40 S&W. Today the 10mm has a strong following with hunters, hikers and shooters who want more power than a 9mm. The 180-grain bullet is the classic middle weight for the cartridge, and it is the weight Sig chose for both loads.
What These Loads Are Good For
Personal and Home Defense
V-Crown was designed for defense. Its 180-grain weight is a common middle choice in 10mm. Laws on carry and hollow points vary by state and city, so check your local rules.
Training
The FMJ is built for range work. Use it for drills, qualification courses and getting comfortable with 10mm recoil.
Hunting and Bear Country
Neither load is built as a dedicated hunting or bear load. If you need a heavy, non-expanding bullet for the woods, see our Underwood 10mm ammo guide for hard cast and solid copper options. For hunting, check your state’s handgun rules.
How to Set Up Your 10mm With Sig Ammo
- Buy a box of V-Crown. Fire it through your pistol to confirm it feeds, fires and ejects every time.
- Check point of impact at 7, 10 and 15 yards.
- Buy FMJ for practice. Run your drills with it.
- Shoot V-Crown now and then. A few rounds every range trip keeps you sharp with your carry load.
- Rotate carry ammo. Swap out rounds that get chambered over and over, since repeat chambering can push a bullet deeper into the case.
Want to learn how defense loads are judged? Read about reading 10mm gel test results.
Shop Sig Sauer 10mm Ammo
See both loads in our Sig Sauer 10mm ammo category, or compare every brand in our 10mm ammo section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sig Sauer V-Crown?
V-Crown is Sig Sauer’s defense hollow point bullet. It uses a stacked hollow point design, with a smaller cavity below the main one, aimed at steady expansion. In 10mm, the V-Crown 180-grain JHP lists 1,250 fps and 624 ft-lb.
Is Sig Sauer 10mm ammo full power?
Sig’s 180-grain loads list 1,250 fps, which is on the strong side for that bullet weight. They are faster than Federal American Eagle at 1,030 fps, and slower than Buffalo Bore’s 180-grain JHP at 1,350 fps.
Is 10mm good for bear defense?
Many hikers carry a 10mm in bear country. Most choose heavy, non-expanding bullets such as hard cast or solid copper loads, not defense hollow points like V-Crown. A handgun is a last resort, and many agencies suggest bear spray first.
Does Sig Sauer make its own ammo?
Yes. Sig Sauer loads its own ammunition under the Elite Performance name. The line covers training FMJ loads and V-Crown defense hollow points across many pistol calibers, including the two 180-grain 10mm loads we carry.
Can I train with Sig FMJ and carry V-Crown?
Yes. Both the Sig Elite 180-grain FMJ and the V-Crown 180-grain JHP list 1,250 fps and 624 ft-lb. That means similar recoil and point of impact. Still, shoot a box of V-Crown in your own pistol before you carry it.
