+P reloading

eddiejoe333 · August 30, 2010, 10:54 PM

I'm trying to start reloading. I have read the excellent post at the top of this page about equipment, safety, etc.

My question is whether there is a difference between .45ACP brass and .45ACP+P brass. In other words, could I safely reload .45ACP brass to +P pressures? Also 9MM? I already have pistols that will handle the +P versions of the above calibers.

Ed

Jim Watson · August 30, 2010, 11:03 PM

1. Starline .45 ACP +P brass is beefed up versus standard. They don't catalog 9mm +P. I don't know about factory load cases.

2. I think you are a little previous "trying to start reloading" and planning for +P.

eddiejoe333 · August 30, 2010, 11:07 PM

Perhaps a bit too early, but it never hurts to ask. Thanks Jim.

lwknight · August 31, 2010, 01:15 AM

The only thing that a +P headstamp really means is that the brass should be heavier than non marked brass but , its not conclusive.
For instance brass stamped with S&B or CB(Magtech) are all heavier brass even without the +P stamp.
As for Remington and Federal , it all depends on the manufacturing year. I have found some very light walled brass and some heavy brass that are not marked +P.
Winchester seems to be in the middle.

The non plus brass will be just fine in a fully supported chamber like all revolvers. Its not good for first generation glocks and the likes to be loaded higher pressures.

Shoney · August 31, 2010, 03:20 AM

There are only 4 SAAMI designations of +P and NO +P+ exist, although there are some commercial loaders that produce +P+, intended only for sub guns like an Uzi.

Cartridge and Maximum Average Pressure (PSI)

9mm Luger 35,000 PSI
9mm Luger +P 38,500 PSI

38 Special 17,000 PSI
38 Special +P 18,500 PSI

38 Super Auto +P 36,500 PSI

45 ACP 21,000 PSI
45 ACP +P 23,000 PSI

Starline does produce brass with a thicker web in the 45ACP +P and 38 Super Auto +P. To my knowledge, other manufacturers brass marked +P is identical to non +P brass.

You should also note that by producing a thicker webbed brass, the case capacity goes down about 2 grains, therefore, by loading them with a normal charge weight, you have in effect upped the pressure. So work up slowly.

WESHOOT2 · August 31, 2010, 06:30 AM

Load for the (sorted) cases you are using. They vary.

"+P+" means "no SAAMI designated pressure"; may be lesser or greater than SAAMI specifications. 9x19 ONLY.

August 30, 2010, 10:54 PM	#1
eddiejoe333 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 230	+P reloading I'm trying to start reloading. I have read the excellent post at the top of this page about equipment, safety, etc. My question is whether there is a difference between .45ACP brass and .45ACP+P brass. In other words, could I safely reload .45ACP brass to +P pressures? Also 9MM? I already have pistols that will handle the +P versions of the above calibers. Ed

August 30, 2010, 11:03 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,590	1. Starline .45 ACP +P brass is beefed up versus standard. They don't catalog 9mm +P. I don't know about factory load cases. 2. I think you are a little previous "trying to start reloading" and planning for +P.

August 30, 2010, 11:07 PM	#3
eddiejoe333 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 230	Perhaps a bit too early, but it never hurts to ask. Thanks Jim.

August 31, 2010, 01:15 AM	#4
lwknight Member Join Date: August 16, 2010 Location: North Central Texas Posts: 31	The only thing that a +P headstamp really means is that the brass should be heavier than non marked brass but , its not conclusive. For instance brass stamped with S&B or CB(Magtech) are all heavier brass even without the +P stamp. As for Remington and Federal , it all depends on the manufacturing year. I have found some very light walled brass and some heavy brass that are not marked +P. Winchester seems to be in the middle. The non plus brass will be just fine in a fully supported chamber like all revolvers. Its not good for first generation glocks and the likes to be loaded higher pressures.

August 31, 2010, 03:20 AM	#5
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	There are only 4 SAAMI designations of +P and NO +P+ exist, although there are some commercial loaders that produce +P+, intended only for sub guns like an Uzi. Cartridge and Maximum Average Pressure (PSI) 9mm Luger 35,000 PSI 9mm Luger +P 38,500 PSI 38 Special 17,000 PSI 38 Special +P 18,500 PSI 38 Super Auto +P 36,500 PSI 45 ACP 21,000 PSI 45 ACP +P 23,000 PSI Starline does produce brass with a thicker web in the 45ACP +P and 38 Super Auto +P. To my knowledge, other manufacturers brass marked +P is identical to non +P brass. You should also note that by producing a thicker webbed brass, the case capacity goes down about 2 grains, therefore, by loading them with a normal charge weight, you have in effect upped the pressure. So work up slowly.

August 31, 2010, 06:30 AM	#6
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Load for the (sorted) cases you are using. They vary. "+P+" means "no SAAMI designated pressure"; may be lesser or greater than SAAMI specifications. 9x19 ONLY.