Sorted my brass and...

Habaz72 · September 21, 2011, 09:42 PM

I sorted my .45 acp cases and found some with a stamp saying: Hornady 45 Auto +P, some of it is brass and some is nickle plated. I've found info that the plated stuff can be used, it just won't last as long so I will give that brass extra time during my inspections before cleaning and after seating a bullet.

I've cleaned and inspected it all and am wondering about case interior dimensions. I have been loading 4.5gr of Bullseye powder for a 230gr rainer leadsafe bullet which is a mild load compared to all the load data I've looked up.

Looking for some opinions on the safety of this load used in this case and also would like if someone could point me in the right direction of finding the hard data myself. I did a search here but couldn't find any info. Looked at the hornady website, only found their normal brass for sale and no info on the +p brass.

Thanks

mrawesome22 · September 21, 2011, 10:10 PM

My guess is that the plus brass is identical other than the stamping which is there just to let you know that it was loaded to a higher pressure at the factory to be used in only strong, modern guns.

FrankenMauser · September 21, 2011, 11:50 PM

A standard .45 Auto case is plenty strong. Tossing +P loads in a standard case shouldn't be an issue. I suspect this brass is no different than their standard cases.

As for their safety... only you can make that call.

And, the origin of the +P brass: Hornady has several SD loads available with a "+P" designation. Depending on the load, it may come in a plain brass case, or a nickel-plated case.

Crankylove · September 22, 2011, 08:20 PM

The +P may have a thicker web in the case head, but that would probably be the only difference.

The .45 Auto runs at relatively low pressures to start with, and I doubt that any decrease in case capacity would raise the pressure to be unsafe, or even be noticed at all with the mild loads you are using.

**Unclenick** · September 23, 2011, 12:31 AM

Starline says their .45 ACP +P is a little thicker at the web (this is to help prevent pregnant cases) and has about 2 grains less water capacity. A typical .45 ACP case has about 26 grains of water capacity, so that's about 8% less. You may want to knock your charges down that same percentage to keep the % case fill the same which will keep peak pressure about the same.

Figure a Starline +P case is about 17 grains heavier when empty. Nickel is just slightly more dense than cartridge brass, so figure about the same thing. Weighing is the easiest way to tell if the maker actually reinforced the +P brass, or if it is just headstamped that way to prevent finished loads from getting mixed with standard loads, as it done with .38 Special brass.

orionengnr · September 25, 2011, 06:01 PM

http://www.realguns.com/archives/020.htm
Scroll down a bit and there are pics of sectioned cases. This supports what UncleNick said about the web area. Read the associated text for more details (Good article, BTW)
Wise man, he.

September 21, 2011, 09:42 PM	#1
Habaz72 Member Join Date: September 9, 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 65	Sorted my brass and... I sorted my .45 acp cases and found some with a stamp saying: Hornady 45 Auto +P, some of it is brass and some is nickle plated. I've found info that the plated stuff can be used, it just won't last as long so I will give that brass extra time during my inspections before cleaning and after seating a bullet. I've cleaned and inspected it all and am wondering about case interior dimensions. I have been loading 4.5gr of Bullseye powder for a 230gr rainer leadsafe bullet which is a mild load compared to all the load data I've looked up. Looking for some opinions on the safety of this load used in this case and also would like if someone could point me in the right direction of finding the hard data myself. I did a search here but couldn't find any info. Looked at the hornady website, only found their normal brass for sale and no info on the +p brass. Thanks

September 21, 2011, 11:50 PM	#3
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,773	A standard .45 Auto case is plenty strong. Tossing +P loads in a standard case shouldn't be an issue. I suspect this brass is no different than their standard cases. As for their safety... only you can make that call. And, the origin of the +P brass: Hornady has several SD loads available with a "+P" designation. Depending on the load, it may come in a plain brass case, or a nickel-plated case. __________________ -Unwilling Range Officer -Unwilling Match Designer -NRL22/PRS22/PRO -Something about broccoli and carrots

September 22, 2011, 08:20 PM	#4
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 4B ID Posts: 1,770	The +P may have a thicker web in the case head, but that would probably be the only difference. The .45 Auto runs at relatively low pressures to start with, and I doubt that any decrease in case capacity would raise the pressure to be unsafe, or even be noticed at all with the mild loads you are using. __________________ The answer to 1984 is 1776

September 23, 2011, 12:31 AM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,732	Starline says their .45 ACP +P is a little thicker at the web (this is to help prevent pregnant cases) and has about 2 grains less water capacity. A typical .45 ACP case has about 26 grains of water capacity, so that's about 8% less. You may want to knock your charges down that same percentage to keep the % case fill the same which will keep peak pressure about the same. Figure a Starline +P case is about 17 grains heavier when empty. Nickel is just slightly more dense than cartridge brass, so figure about the same thing. Weighing is the easiest way to tell if the maker actually reinforced the +P brass, or if it is just headstamped that way to prevent finished loads from getting mixed with standard loads, as it done with .38 Special brass. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 21, 2011, 10:10 PM	#2
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	My guess is that the plus brass is identical other than the stamping which is there just to let you know that it was loaded to a higher pressure at the factory to be used in only strong, modern guns.

September 25, 2011, 06:01 PM	#6
orionengnr Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Posts: 5,206	http://www.realguns.com/archives/020.htm Scroll down a bit and there are pics of sectioned cases. This supports what UncleNick said about the web area. Read the associated text for more details (Good article, BTW) Wise man, he.