+P+?

[spareparts]

What's a +P+

I posted this same thing in a thread involving 9mm carbines, but thought it more appropriate here in the ammo section.

[Gio]

+P means Plus Powder which gives off a litte more pressure and speed if I am somewhat on the right track.

Here is the link I found at wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%2BP%2B

-Gio

[raw24]

+P means that the cartrage is loaded at a higher chamber pressure. Hence the the +P = added pressure and thus higher velocity.

Here is a great read that further explains it:

http://www.handgunsmag.com/ammunition/demystplusp_0306-7/

From Article:
"+P+. This designates that the cartridge is loaded above SAAMI specs for +P ammo"

[buffybuster]

For 9x19mm cartridges:

SAMMI (USA) spec Maximum Chamber Pressure:
Standard 35Kpsi
+P 37.5Kpsi
+P+ Anything above 37.5Kpsi

There is NO specification for +P+, other than it is above 37.5KPsi.

CIP (Europe/Non-USA)
They don't specifically have +P, +P+, etc.. but they do run higher pressures up to around 42Kpsi.

That's the reason they had Major9 in Europe for years but we didn't have it in the US until the Major PF was dropped, since it was difficult to load to old Major PF and stay within SAMMI spec's.

Understand that +P+ arounds are NOT always faster than +P rounds, they just have higher max pressure.

[spareparts]

This is hypothetical, if a person decided to do some loads for the Ruger PC9 in a +P or +P+ setting, where does a person get that kind of load data?

I'm not in to taking risks with my rifle but rather more curious about the load.

[buffybuster]

This is hypothetical, if a person decided to do some loads for the Ruger PC9 in a +P or +P+ setting, where does a person get that kind of load data?

I'm not in to taking risks with my rifle but rather more curious about the load.

There might be some +P loads in various loading manuals. For +P+, you're on your own........

[Jonathan Doe]

It is a pretty high pressure rounds. I used to carry 38 Special 110 grain JHP +P+ rounds, issued. If you want to try some, I can give you a few rounds.

[FLIGHT762]

Winchester sold a 9mm 127 gr. +P+ T load under the "Ranger" brand to L/E agencies. We used them in MP-5's. Winchester required a signed waiver before delivering them.

[J-cat]

Winchester +P+ 9mm ammo is loaded to pressures up to 42,500 PSI.

[spareparts]

It is a pretty high pressure rounds. I used to carry 38 Special 110 grain JHP +P+ rounds, issued. If you want to try some, I can give you a few rounds.

I appreciate the offer but lack anything to fire them in.

[spareparts]

There might be some +P loads in various loading manuals. For +P+, you're on your own........

Just curiosity. Wondering how much the powder increases or if you switch to different powders.

[buffybuster]

Just curiosity. Wondering how much the powder increases or if you switch to different powders.

No offense, but your statement is an indication of your lack of experience. I strongly recommend that you do NOT conduct any experiments into higher than published loads and approach ALL published loads carefully.

IMO There is NO reasonable benefit to handloading +P+.

[spareparts]

No offense, but your statement is an indication of your lack of experience. I strongly recommend that you do NOT conduct any experiments into higher than published loads and approach ALL published loads carefully.

IMO There is NO reasonable benefit to handloading +P+.

I have enough experience. I'm just curious, that's all. Just want to know that if a max load contains a certain amount of X powder, how much of powder X equals a +P+ load? Or you do you switch to powder Y? It's hard to word one of these questions because someone always comes along assuming that the questioner is going to experiment. I commend your concerns and I'm glad you take the time to caution other members and I assure you that I have no intentions of making any variations to the published data.

[maxicon]

I'm not a reloader, but if I wanted to work up a +P+ load, I'd get some factory +P+ ammo and chrono it, then work up a load that was equivalent.

The main problem would be matching the burn rate - too fast a burn, and a load that gave the same MV would have much higher peak pressures than an equivalent slower burning powder, and you'd risk a kB! Since it's hard to tell what powder is used in factory loads, this would take some educated guesswork.

[WyoDuner]

Personally, I have experimented with some pretty hot loads in 9mm. I have loaded 90 gr bullets to nearly 1600 fps and 115 gr bullets to almost 1400 fps and 124 gr bullets to up near 1340 fps or so if memory serves.

I have no way of measuring pressure but look for the usual pressure signs. The velocities above are about the point where the primers were flattening pretty good. These tests were all done in a Kimber 1911 9mm which has a very thick barrel and is of course an all steel weapon.

These aren't my everyday target loads but of course but they sure pack a punch when shooting water jugs, etc.