R.P 38 Spec +P

But . . . is not a +P casing built heavier at the base than a normal 38 Spl. casing? If so, case volume would be smaller equaling increased pressure. While it may not be a lot of volume difference . . . it might be enough to increase the pressure?
Click to expand...

From what I know, .38 Special +P uses the exact same casing as the non +P variant.

I believe the only +P loading where the case may be different is .45 ACP. Starline Brass for example uses a thicker web and heavier sidewall at the base because some .45 ACP barrels have less case support than others.

Since .38 Special is primarily a revolver round I doubt you would find a differently constructed case. Starline Brass states, "38 SPL+P has no difference from the standard 38 SPL, other than headstamp designation for load segregation. This is due to the fact that our standard case design will handle +P pressures with no problems."
 
Conventional wisdom is not always wrong. Some people think that it's just as useless as urban legend or Facebook posts. Conventional wisdom sometimes has its birth in truth, and it shouldn't be dismissed without thinking about it, but, like everything, it's your own choice.

I don't believe that my handloads are better than factory. I will always keep factory loads in my combat weapons. Ammo is too cheap to take chances on bad handloads.

.45 and some other semi autos have small unsupported spots on the case heads, and should have a slightly heavier metal. Fully supported revolvers don't really need it, and as I said, the heavier plus loads were a matter of grains. Honestly, it may have been the nickel plating.
 
Near as I can interpret from the SAAMI spec drawing, the case wall is to be .010 thick, with no distinction made for +p.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top