38 vs 38+p brass

OH_Spartan · Yesterday, 10:51 PM

Is there a difference between 38 spl and 38+p brass? I'm just asking about the brass. They seem to be the same length, is there another difference? Wall thickness? Pressure rating? Etc?

rcmodel · Yesterday, 10:55 PM

No, not anymore.
Years ago in the 70's, when the +P standards first came out, +P brass was thicker, more like thinner .357 Mag brass.

Except, .38 Mid-Range Match brass used to be thinner then standard pressure brass though.

Now it is all the same as far as I know.

If in doubt?
Size and trim one of each and weigh them on your powder scale..

If they weigh the same, they are the same.

rc

jstein650 · Yesterday, 10:56 PM

I think this was recently addressed. While some .38 brass is tougher, a bit more stout, and stands up to more reloads, from brand to brand, even lot to lot, there is no difference in those marked +P and those that are not.

marksg · Yesterday, 10:59 PM

Mainly the head stamp for load segregation. The brass it self is the same dimensions.

OH_Spartan · Yesterday, 11:00 PM

It was addressed this week. Title '38 spl'. I did a search and it didn't come up, then went surfing thru recent threads and saw it. Sorry.

Mods, feel free to close this thread.

marksg · Yesterday, 11:00 PM

Man i type slow, lol

ArchAngelCD · Today, 12:19 AM

Even though there is no difference at all between .38 Spl and .38 Spl +P brass I only use +P brass for +P loads but not because of the brass itself, but for the head stamp so I don't mix up the hotter stuff with the standard pressure loads.

Yesterday, 10:51 PM	#1
OH_Spartan Member Join Date: May 20, 2011 Posts: 168	38 vs 38+p brass Is there a difference between 38 spl and 38+p brass? I'm just asking about the brass. They seem to be the same length, is there another difference? Wall thickness? Pressure rating? Etc?

Yesterday, 10:55 PM	#2
rcmodel Member Join Date: September 17, 2007 Location: Eastern KS Posts: 41,899	No, not anymore. Years ago in the 70's, when the +P standards first came out, +P brass was thicker, more like thinner .357 Mag brass. Except, .38 Mid-Range Match brass used to be thinner then standard pressure brass though. Now it is all the same as far as I know. If in doubt? Size and trim one of each and weigh them on your powder scale.. If they weigh the same, they are the same. rc __________________ Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Or all your primers in a glass jar!

Yesterday, 10:59 PM	#4
marksg Member Join Date: March 16, 2012 Location: TN Posts: 147	Mainly the head stamp for load segregation. The brass it self is the same dimensions. __________________ "There are a lot of wonderful things written into our constitution that were meant for honest, descent citizens.I resent the fact that it can be used and abused by the very people who want to destroy it." John Wayne

Yesterday, 11:00 PM	#6
marksg Member Join Date: March 16, 2012 Location: TN Posts: 147	Man i type slow, lol __________________ "There are a lot of wonderful things written into our constitution that were meant for honest, descent citizens.I resent the fact that it can be used and abused by the very people who want to destroy it." John Wayne

Today, 12:19 AM	#7
ArchAngelCD Member Join Date: November 25, 2006 Location: PA, USA Posts: 14,009	Even though there is no difference at all between .38 Spl and .38 Spl +P brass I only use +P brass for +P loads but not because of the brass itself, but for the head stamp so I don't mix up the hotter stuff with the standard pressure loads. __________________ Remember boys and girls, gun control only prevents law abiding Americans from owning guns because the Bad Guys don’t obey the laws, no matter how restrictive or lenient the laws are!

Yesterday, 10:56 PM	#3
jstein650 Member Join Date: February 14, 2013 Location: Morganton, NC Posts: 354	I think this was recently addressed. While some .38 brass is tougher, a bit more stout, and stands up to more reloads, from brand to brand, even lot to lot, there is no difference in those marked +P and those that are not.