+P and +P+

targettarget

targettarget

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Hello,

I just purchased a bunch of .45 auto ammunition and got some +P loads as well.

I am wondering what makes the +P loads more potent. I understand that the pressure generated is higher than a normal load, but what makes it that way? Is it a different type of powder being used or just more of the original powder in the same casing?

Why are some 9mm rounds loaded to +P+, but .40SW and .45 auto are only loaded to +P.

Also, does the +P stand for "plus (more) pressure"?

Thanks,
Reece
 
Is it a different type of powder being used or just more of the original powder in the same casing?
Click to expand...

Could be either. Commercial ammo manufacturers use powders that are not available to reloaders.
 
You pretty much answered your questions, Just say yes...case thickness increased, crimp on the case or change of bullet weight with same charge will increase pressure. Older firearms of the same calibre cannot always take this increase in pressure & the manufacturer must state this for the lawyers. Thus +P. I would think that some of it is advertising bull as well..
 
Yes, +P means more pressue or a higher then normal sami pressure load, +P+ is a higher pressure load again and is probably not a good thing to shoot every day in your own pistols, though now and then is fine in a modern gun.

It's just a high velocity loading to increase the effectivness of the caliber so loaded. You won't see +P+ 45 because there's to many 1911's out there that don't support the brass at the base and it can't take it.
 
There is no SAAMI spec for +P+ loads. Because of liability, manufacturers will generally not load to +P+ for commercial use/sale. (police only with a signed release, and military)
 
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Starline's .45ACP +P brass is slightly thicker at the head, meaning slightly less powder capacity, that and it's marked on the back with a nice, big, imposing "+P".

Just higher pressure, that's all. Could be a more potent type of powder - or just more of it. Either way I wouldn't try it in just any old gun...

- Dave.
 
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Dave L. said:
Starline's .45ACP +P brass is slightly thicker at the head, meaning slightly less powder capacity, that and it's marked on the back with a nice, big, imposing "+P".

- Dave.
Click to expand...

Note that Starline also states that their 9mm +P brass is exactly the same as their regular 9mm brass, they have just marked it for those who want it.
 
Thanks for the chart, that's perfect info to have. I didn't realize that the Proof loads that they fire at the factory were so potent.

I have seen some 9mm (unsure of grain and manufacturer) +p+ loads in excessive of 1500 ft/sec. 1530 I believe was the actual number.

1500 ft/sec is allot of velocity from a little barrel. I'd like to see how fast the proof loads are. Can anyone say "over penetration"??
 
targettarget said:
Thanks for the chart, that's perfect info to have. I didn't realize that the Proof loads that they fire at the factory were so potent.

I have seen some 9mm (unsure of grain and manufacturer) +p+ loads in excessive of 1500 ft/sec. 1530 I believe was the actual number.

1500 ft/sec is allot of velocity from a little barrel. I'd like to see how fast the proof loads are. Can anyone say "over penetration"??
Click to expand...

I would sure like to see that ammo. Must have been a 14" barrel.....:eek: or 90 grain bullets.....

Can anyone say "9mm major"?:p
 
Even 38 Super only hits 1400 fps with 125gr bullets. Can't be 9mm Luger.

targettarget said:
I have seen some 9mm (unsure of grain and manufacturer) +p+ loads in excessive of 1500 ft/sec. 1530 I believe was the actual number.

1500 ft/sec is allot of velocity from a little barrel. I'd like to see how fast the proof loads are. Can anyone say "over penetration"??
Click to expand...
 
A 90 grain 9mm bullet is really light for the calibre. It'd be a little tiny thing too. They may not properly cycle the action of most pistols or feed well. Mind you, Corbon specializes in hot ammo, but that doesn't mean their ammo will fuction well in all pistols.
Proof loads(aka Blue pills) are much higher PSI than the PSI of the regular ammo. Sometimes more. The normal Blue Pill for the .30-06 M2 ball is at 70,000 psi. J.C. Garand ran his own tests to prove how strong the M1 rifle's receiver is/was. He loaded progressively hotter ammo and fired it. At 120,000 PSI, the test rifle's left bolt lug cracked. The same rifle went on to fire 5,000 rounds of service ammo with no further damage.
 
The point is, you can keep hopping up loads until the weapon gives up. Next you make the parts more massive and perhaps stretch out the case length a bit. Silly? This is how the .44 Special "grew" into the .44 Magnum.

A modern handgun shooting factory loads has a long life expectancy; which starts to decrease steeply as the pressure gets jacked up. Eventually the life expectancy of the shooter decreases!

If you want to shoot something "really hot" in a pistol, buy a Contender in a rifle calibre and get it out of your system! There's nothing wrong with hot loads, if they are fired in actions designed to handle them. Generally, the people who produce the arms are pretty good judges of what their products can handle. Why take unnecessary risks?
 
For thoose that didn't belive me about the FPS velocity's I was speaking of earlier, here is the Ammo company that makes such loads and all of the data.

http://www.magsafeonline.com/prices_specs.jsp

.45 ACP #45D + P Defender 96 1,660 FPS/588 MPS - Officer's; 1,760/660 - 5" S&W 645
.45 ACP #45SS + P SUPER 68 2,260 FPS/771 MPS - S&W 4506 Standard springs OK

.40 S&W #40D Defender 84 1,800fps/604fpe - Glock 22 Light recoil
.40 S&W #40W SWAT Load 46 2,100fps/451fpe - Glock 22 Lightest recoil!
.40 S&W #40MG Mini-Glock Load 1,940fps/601 ft-lbs in Glock M27

9mm Luger (Para) #95 + P Max Load 64 1,950fps/540fpe - Glock 17 Replaces #9P Load
9mm Luger - NEW #9MG Mini-Glock Load 50 2,000fps/444f ft-lbs in Glock M26 (or other 3.5" gun)
9mm Luger #9D Defender 60 1,800fps/431 ft-lbs in Glock 19

There we go, now thats hard evidence. Now to find some to try!
 
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