Is .38 Special+P brass different in make-up than standard pressure .38 Special brass?

[Bexar]

I've got both and wanted to load up a couple of boxes and was wondering if the internals were the same.

Thanks...Bexar

 

[rcmodel]

They may be now.

But they didn't used to be.

To find out?

Weigh the empty cases on your reloading scales.

If they weight the same, they are the same.

If they don't, they aren't,

rc

 

[TexasDon]

I was just at Starline brass yesterday looking at some 357's.
Looked at the 38 spl's too, they say their 38 spl. +P is the same brass but is marked +P for identification purposes.


TxD

 

[TimSr]

+P brass is marked for ID. No different.

 

[kerreckt]

They are the same.....I use them that way with no problems.

 

[GP100man]

Early cases were different , let`s say the mid 60s (WAG) the heads of the 38spc mite have even been the ole ballon style with the +p being solid with 357s being even more reinforced.

Modern day, lets say mid 80s to present is probably the same strength , as manufacturing process of the stronger case only would simplify production just varying case lengths for the 38, 38 long ,38spc,360 Dan Wesson, 357magnum & the 357 maximum. Then adjusting powder to saami pressures.

Now ya get into the meat of it when you start comparing domestic to import ammo cases & I`ve found a good bit of difference there, I`d have to check my notes but I remember PMC being the heaviest ,but not necassarialy the strongest.

GP

 

[Bexar]

Thanks folks...this is brass saved from my Daughter's range expeditions. Some Golden Sabre +P nickel and some grunt various manufacture standard pressure. Didn't want to foul up something.

 

[gamestalker]

RC's right about some of the older stuff, but from what I understand, it's just a head stamp I.D. thing now.

I load all my +p with mixed brass, so feel free to run them in what ever brass you have available.

GS

 

[Steve C]

Early cases were different , let`s say the mid 60s (WAG) the heads of the 38spc mite have even been the ole ballon style with the +p

38 special cases of the same manufacturer are made identically for +p and standard loads'. No such thing as +P in the 60's, wasn't even a product name or a SAAMI designation standard. Heavier loads where called police loads, Hi-vel, super vel etc. that was marked on the ammo's box. I started reloading in the early 70's and the +P moniker didn't appear until the 80's.

You have to go really far back in the "way back machine" to find balloon head cases. In over 40 years of reloading I've never come across one. They where a remnant of the black powder era.

Brass manufactured for .38 special put the "+P" on the head stamp as a discriminator for the ammo of that type the companies produced when the standard was adopted by SAAMI to tell the difference in the load not the brass.

 

[Walkalong]

I separate it out and use it for +P loads, only because it is easy to identify if it gets loose.