reloading +p

friesepferd · January 2nd, 2008, 02:13 PM

i would like some info on how to reload "+p" ammo.
im assuming there is a difference between using near the maximum load for a given powder/bullet.
need to use a special faster burning powder? (which?)
need to use the special coated +p rated brass? (from what was originally store bought +p?)
is there reloading data specifically for +p loads? where? i haven't seen them (but haven't really looked either)

im wondering cuz i have a bunch of brass from +p ammo. i wouldnt mind getting some hollow point bullets and making some rounds similar to what i carry. not to carry it, but simply to blow up watermelons and such

thanks!

Redneck Repairs · January 2nd, 2008, 02:18 PM

DONT load " +P " Load only according to your manuals and within sammi spec . Do not in any fashion play with pressure beyond what is in load manuals , it is unsafe and will eventually lead to weapon self destruction , hopefully without injury .

Danger Mouse · January 2nd, 2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redneck Repairs

DONT load " +P " Load only according to your manuals and within sammi spec . Do not in any fashion play with pressure beyond what is in load manuals , it is unsafe and will eventually lead to weapon self destruction , hopefully without injury .

Good call! I am new to reloading myself, and the way I see it it my life and limbs are worth more than the cost of factory loaded +P rounds. I only reload to what is published in the "Lee reloading manual" myself. While it may be OK if you have the right published data, I would still not do it. If something happens this is just more fuel for the anti's to use in their crusade against firearms.

rocky · January 2nd, 2008, 02:55 PM

AS RR said, load only according to tables published. Also HP's will do a fine job gutting fruits at normal velocities/loads.

aus71383 · January 2nd, 2008, 02:55 PM

For a +P load you are probably going to be using a slower burning powder. The powder burn rate concept is very interesting...basically, a slower burn has a stronger "push", while a faster burn is a "slap". That's breaking it down Barney style - naturally its a lot more sciency and smart in reality, but that's how I explain it. There will be specific loads - for instance, in your reloading manual, you may have an entire section on 9mm. There may be another section a page or two later on 9mm +P.

At a quick glance I didn't see any 9mm +P data online.

If it was me, I'd take the lightest bullet and slowest burning powder that I had data for, and work up to the max load - watch for all the signs that something is horribly wrong. Chrono the load and see what you've got.

9mm +P brass will be thicker to help withstand the higher pressures. Use this brass for working up max loads. If I had my books (Hornady and Speer) handy I'd check to see if there was any +P data in there....maybe later today.

Austin

Redneck Repairs · January 2nd, 2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

9mm +P brass will be thicker to help withstand the higher pressures.

I dont know where you are finding this " thicker " 9mm brass , but in the ones i have sectioned the only micable difference is the headstamp , the brass seems to me to be the same .

P95Carry · January 2nd, 2008, 03:11 PM

I always used to get +P once fired empties from a cop shooting range - treat them just as regular .38 spl cases and don't go for higher pressure rounds just because of case markings.

I have loaded these cases for hotter loads but for use in a .357 rated gun - but I won't publish any data. Stick to std - way to go.

friesepferd · January 2nd, 2008, 03:13 PM

thanks for the info so far.
dont worry, im not going to be just throwing more powder in than what a reloading manual says.
just wondering what they use when they make factory +p loads, and how i could do the same.

P95Carry · January 2nd, 2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

just wondering what they use when they make factory +p loads

Judging by lack of data in manuals this seems somewhat of an ''alchemist'' deal

They will load and sell +P but not seemingly release data ... CYA I expect

bmcgilvray · January 2nd, 2008, 08:44 PM

My favorite general purpose .38 Special load has been promoted from middle-of-the-road to over-load within the past 30 something years I've been using it (by the tens of thousands) by the simple watering down of the loading manuals. At some point one has to ask himself whether or not he's going to continually reduce perfectly good loads each time the latest manual is published.

January 2nd, 2008, 02:13 PM	#1
friesepferd Distinguished Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: what used to be the state of Franklin (look it up) Posts: 1,719	reloading +p i would like some info on how to reload "+p" ammo. im assuming there is a difference between using near the maximum load for a given powder/bullet. need to use a special faster burning powder? (which?) need to use the special coated +p rated brass? (from what was originally store bought +p?) is there reloading data specifically for +p loads? where? i haven't seen them (but haven't really looked either) im wondering cuz i have a bunch of brass from +p ammo. i wouldnt mind getting some hollow point bullets and making some rounds similar to what i carry. not to carry it, but simply to blow up watermelons and such thanks!

January 2nd, 2008, 02:55 PM	#4
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 11,768	AS RR said, load only according to tables published. Also HP's will do a fine job gutting fruits at normal velocities/loads. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

January 2nd, 2008, 03:11 PM	#7
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	I always used to get +P once fired empties from a cop shooting range - treat them just as regular .38 spl cases and don't go for higher pressure rounds just because of case markings. I have loaded these cases for hotter loads but for use in a .357 rated gun - but I won't publish any data. Stick to std - way to go. __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

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January 2nd, 2008, 02:18 PM	#2
Redneck Repairs VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,141	DONT load " +P " Load only according to your manuals and within sammi spec . Do not in any fashion play with pressure beyond what is in load manuals , it is unsafe and will eventually lead to weapon self destruction , hopefully without injury .

January 2nd, 2008, 02:55 PM	#5
aus71383 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United States Posts: 1,696	For a +P load you are probably going to be using a slower burning powder. The powder burn rate concept is very interesting...basically, a slower burn has a stronger "push", while a faster burn is a "slap". That's breaking it down Barney style - naturally its a lot more sciency and smart in reality, but that's how I explain it. There will be specific loads - for instance, in your reloading manual, you may have an entire section on 9mm. There may be another section a page or two later on 9mm +P. At a quick glance I didn't see any 9mm +P data online. If it was me, I'd take the lightest bullet and slowest burning powder that I had data for, and work up to the max load - watch for all the signs that something is horribly wrong. Chrono the load and see what you've got. 9mm +P brass will be thicker to help withstand the higher pressures. Use this brass for working up max loads. If I had my books (Hornady and Speer) handy I'd check to see if there was any +P data in there....maybe later today. Austin

January 2nd, 2008, 03:13 PM	#8
friesepferd Distinguished Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: what used to be the state of Franklin (look it up) Posts: 1,719	thanks for the info so far. dont worry, im not going to be just throwing more powder in than what a reloading manual says. just wondering what they use when they make factory +p loads, and how i could do the same.

January 2nd, 2008, 08:44 PM	#10
bmcgilvray Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Texas Posts: 1,152	My favorite general purpose .38 Special load has been promoted from middle-of-the-road to over-load within the past 30 something years I've been using it (by the tens of thousands) by the simple watering down of the loading manuals. At some point one has to ask himself whether or not he's going to continually reduce perfectly good loads each time the latest manual is published.