Any Reason to Use .45 ACP +P Brass?

[Sam Adams]

Is there any reason to get the +P brass to load regular .45 loads? The +P is obviously more expensive, and obviously able to take higher pressures (23,000 CUP vs. 21,000 in standard cases). Does this confer any benefits in terms of the durability of the brass? In terms of safety while loading within normal limits for standard rounds? Thanks for your input.

 

[ACP230]

Forty five brass lasts a long time in standard form.
I wouldn't spend a lot of time trying to find +P brass, or pay extra for it.

I have .45 brass that was old when I got it. It looks rough but can still be loaded.

 

[Sam Adams]

Thanks, pretty much what I thought.

I have about 1,000 empty cases, mostly Federal or Winchester that I bought new and which is truly once-fired (for now ), some S&B and Aguila that I also bought new (to see if the cheap stuff shot well - it is OK), and the rest range pick-ups. I figure that they should last a while, esp. when augmented by other range pick-ups over time.

 

[Black Snowman]

Currently my only 45 ACP is a revolver so I went ahead and spent the very slight ammount more for Starline +P over regular brass since I knew I wouldn't be losing it, plus my pistol can handle +P so I always have the option. If I had an auto, range pickup and other used standard brass would have been my 1st choice.

 

[stans]

+P brass is fine for +P loads, but unless you are loading to +P pressures, don't waste your money on +P brass.

 

[Cortland]

.45 +P brass does indeed have a stronger construction than regular .45 brass according to Starline. Interestingly, this not the case with .38 Special +P and 9mm +P--for these the regular cases have the exact same strength and construction as the +P cases. Starline also indicates that .45 +P cases have 2 grains less internal capacity than the regular .45 cases. In my experience, .45 ACP cases can be used nigh on forever -- they just never seem to split.

If you want extra-strength brass for your regular .45 loads, you might as well buy .45 Super brass. Although as I said, I think you'll find regular .45 ACP brass never really wears out.

Regarding safety -- if a load's not safe in regular .45 brass, I wouldn't count on .45 +P or .45 Super brass to save your bacon.

 

[Delmar]

I had a period a while back when I just had to have that purty Rem +P stuff, but it did not take long to figure out that I would lose that stuff at the range or the field long before I ever wore it out. Same goes with the regular brass. Ever once in a while, I will split a case neck when pressing a bullet into a case, but that was over a dozen loadings.