[mugsie]

:banghead: I know I saw this posted elsewhere in the forum but did a search and can't locate it. 38 Special +P is stamped on the case of a cartridge. It can handle +P loads. Other cartridges, without the stamping, are standard pressure loads. Now, what is the difference between the brass? I've heard wall thickness, yet when measuring can find no discernable difference. I've heard different chemical composition of the brass but find that hard to believe. I've heard no difference other than the head stamp (presumably for sorting and legal purposes) which I'm more inclined to believe. Does anyone have any idea what the difference in the cases are? Thanks.

[facedown]

According to Starline, the difference in strength is due to the tempering process.

[Steve C]

38 SPL+P has no difference from the standard 38 SPL, other than headstamp designation for load segregation. Due to standard case design, will handle +P pressures with no problems.
-Starline Web site Product Information-

The above quote was copied directly off Starline's website. The same information has been posted other times from the Big 3 ammo makers. This is true for the .38 spl, other cases like the ones designated +P in the .45 ACP is different in case consruction, thickness of the web, etc. You can handload ANY .38 spl case to +P level without worry about the intrinsic case strength.

[BluesBear]

The cartridge case is merely a gasket to seal in the gas.
It's the chamber that contains the pressure.
The cartridge case is just a metal inner tube.


Over the past 30 years I have sectioned many different brands of handgun brass and never found any measurable difference between those cases marked +P and those not.
Don't believe me? Then weigh them on your powder scale and see for yourself. A brass R-P .38 Special case will weigh the same as a brass R-P .38 Spl +P case.
A nickled Winchester case will weigh the same as a nickled WInchester +P case.
The same goes for Speer, Fiocchi, S&B, Magtech, PMC, etc.


The only exception is American Ammunition brand (A-MERC) that stuff is just plain crap and you'll find cases of different weights and dimensions within the same box. I have a pair of vise grips on my loading bench whose main purpose in life is to "fix" A-MERC brass.


Difference in tempering? :rolleyes: That doesn't make them any stronger. It will just make them softer or harder.
Over a period of time all brass cases will work harden and get brittle. That usually shows up as the case mouth splitting during expanding.