.38 spl. ?

[knighthawk-72]

can you load .38 spl brass to .38 spl. +P data

 

[flgolfer29]

yes

 

[zxcvbob]

Another "yes".

 

[beatledog7]

Yes, but make sure the gun you're going to use can handle it. The brass is not the limiting element.

 

[Comrade Mike]

Absolutely, the only difference between .38 special and .38 special +P brass is the head stamp.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Yup, but...

if you're anything like me and are committing brass outside of regular parameters think about marking the heads yourself. I use various silver hallmark stamps or a set of English 1/16 inch number/letter stamps.

 

[kerreckt]

+P ammo is simply ammo that is loaded to the higher end of the SAAMI spec. Really, it's largely a marketing ploy. It seems that years ago factory ammo was loaded hotter than it is now. They started loading it milder and then came out with the +p designation. That's my take on it, anyway.

 

[Steve C]

With the .38 spl and the 9mm Luger a +P stamp on the case is for load discrimination as the case for both pressure levels are identical. For the .45 ACP the +P cases have a thicker web and less volume than the standard case.

 

[gamestalker]

As stated, "yes", but make sure the firearm your using is capable of safely handling +P pressures. I load and shoot a lot of +P ammunition for 38 spcl. but I only shoot it out of my K frame revolvers.
The brass really doesn't have anything to do with +P capability, it's always the firearm that handles, or doesn't, handle pressures.

GS

 

[knighthawk-72]

Thanks for all the replies. I thought in was the same but it is always better to be sure then taking a chance.

 

[homatok]

If you drop dead tomorrow, will someone be getting/shooting those +P loads? Will they know those loads are not generic (mild) 38 loads? Do they have a gun capeable of handling the pressure? Can you do it---yes you can---but should you?

 

[Muddydogs]

but should you?

Why not? Label the rounds as +P, there is no difference between a factory box of +P and handloads with a good loading label stating there +P.

 

[Comrade Mike]

Unless you're carrying your reloads there's no much reason the load +P. some would even argue you don't need to carry +P ammunition. But to each his own. All my model 10 sees are midrange loads and they shoot beautifully.

 

[Bruno2]

I hope everybody labels and relabels the boxes they use to put reloads in. I know I do

Date
Caliber
Primer (brand)
Powder (brand and gr wt)
Brass (brand on headstamp sometimes once fired or whatever)
Bullet (brand/type/gr wt)
Sometimes velocity

 

[homatok]

Headstamped??? or just a labeled box? If just the box what about loose rounds?

 

[Miss Stana]

headstamping is a really good idea. I've had to take apart several bullets because 'I wasn't sure' of the exact load.

 

[zxcvbob]

Headstamped??? or just a labeled box? If just the box what about loose rounds?

You can color-code them using cheap fingernail polish on the case heads or primers. (make sure you write down the key info) This is especially important if you load over-pressure ammo, like .38-44, or .45 Colt +P. You want to be able to tell at a glance that "this is something weird, I better go look it up before I shoot it" if it gets separated from the box.