Ammo? Don't understand lingo, like +P,+P+, hst

[gunnie]

Buying some ammo but got confused on +P and +p+. For instance for self defense choice is 45 +p 230 grain hst HP or 45 hydra-shock 180 grain (+P+) HP. Any help

[E. Fudd]

Basically higher velocity/hotter loads, compared to others w/ the same bullet weight.

In the .45 230 gr. +P loads, I've found the recoil significantly more than standard loads, making follow-up shots slightly slower. Also, depending on what gun it's fired out of, hotter loads can beat up your gun more than standard pressure ones. On the more modern guns, it's probably not an issue.

Not familiar w/ 9mm 147 gr. +p+, but I have read positive raves for the Win. Ranger T 127 gr. +p+ as well as the standard Ranger T 147 gr. loads for SD carry.

9mm 124 gr. +P (e.g. Gold Dots), also gets good reviews.

Recoil w/ +p loads is even more noticeable in the more compact, short barreled CCW type guns. Not so much as issue for experienced shooters, but something to factor in the selection process. Also think about how well you shoot them with your support-side hand, if things really go south (pawed)...

[nick]

I use 9mm 147gr +p+ in a 9mm carbine. It works better than most other loads (haven't tried the 127gr Ranger T you're talking about yet, but then, it's kinda expensive for target shooting ). I use regular loads for self-defense HG, there's no need to shoot through walls.

[aplinker]

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm

[rivviepop]

The +P and +P+ are indicators of cartridge pressure above and beyond the standards (specifics vary by caliber). So no +P or +P+ means it's a "normal" pressure cartridge, +P means it's an accepted "plus pressure" cartridge up unto a certain level (think of +P as an extension to the original standard - an addendum, if you will). +P+ however means "this is outside any accepted pressure standard" and has no real rules (other than safety). Your gun *must* be rated to fire a +P or +P+ cartridge for safety's sake, it has to do with how the steel/alloy/etc. is manufactured to withstand the forces involved.

HST and Hydra-Shock are marketing terms owned by Federal, so you won't see those exact phrases on Speer, Hornady, Remington, etc. Basically it's their marketing mojo trying to tell you about the way the bullet expands; HST is an improvement on the Hydra-Shock principle (in most cases), newer/better engineering so you'll see "HST" used more when people are talking about the rounds Federal markets to the Law Enforcement folks.