Posted: 2/28/2008 6:28:36 PM EDT
|
I have always just carried Federal HydraShoks in my CCW that I picked up at Spotsmens Warehouse. But i found a site that sells Hydra Shok in both Hollow Point and +P. Sorry about the retarded question. Bit can someone please explain to me what +P is? I had never heard the term until recently (I'm a shotgun and rifle guy) and I didnt want to look like a newb in front of a bunch of guys at the range. |
What he said, but add this: +P ammo DOES have a standard to which it is loaded. +P+ does NOT have such a standard. In other words, +P has a max pressure value, beyond which it is no longer +P. |
More or less -- yes. I'm sure some people will split hairs with that answer, but that's the general idea. Although what it's really saying is that it's operating at a higher pressure than standard specifications. Why exactly that is we don't know. I've heard that Federal uses flash suppressant in their loads, which makes it a +P, but doesn't necessarily add a lot of velocity. Could be a bunch of things. More P doesn't necessarily equate to greater performance or more velocity, but it usually does mean more velocity. |
| while this isnt scientific, a +P may be somewhere around 100 - 125 feet per second faster muzzle velocity (maybe as high as 150 - I'm not sure of the exact sammi specs). so if a standard pressure 124 gr hollow point round goes 1100 fps (hypothetical example), a +p might be in the 1200 - 1225 fps (for the same weight/ grain bullet). Again, very generalized example. You will get a little snappier felt recoil, but also the higher fps imparts higher bullet energy (and likely a bit more penetration - depending on the target). steady diet of +p may also tend to accelerate wear on the pistol - and each manufacturer has its own recommendations and warranty effects. have fun! |
| Nothing wrong with hydrashocks or expanding bullets. They promote the tissue damage you want; not just pentration and Federal is one of the best defensive rounds I've seen, in 9mm and 45. No "real life" experience but with gel and soaked phone books they out performed everything else. Still curious to see some Ranger Ts in action. |
You missed his point. He's not saying to dump expanding bullets, he's saying to dump the bullet that doesn't have the core bonded to the jacket and go with one that does. |
|
"+P" basically stands for "plus pressure" or loads beyond the maximum acceptable loading pressure for the standard version of the round. SAAMI spec for 9mm is a max 35,000psi chamber pressure. The SAAMI spec for 9mm +P is 38,500psi. That's a 10% increase in max pressure, not as big of an increase that most people make it out to be. Keep in mind that these are MAX pressures... there is nothing saying that a manufacturer couldn't mark ammo as "+P" but only load it to 30,000psi. Why +P? You'll notice that most loads that have a +P option are the really old loads (9x19, .45ACP, .38spcl, etc.). Firearms have advanced to the point that they can easily handle higher pressures than some of the older firearms. This why there is no SAAMI +P spec for more modern cartridges like 10mm or .40SW. My view on it is that if I'm using a modern firearm that can handle +P loads then I will take advantage of that for my defensive loads. Why not go for the slightly higher powered round if the weapon can handle it. +P 9mm is a little "snappier" but no problem for me to shoot. I use +P loads in .45, 9mm & .38spcl and have never had any problems. Like was mentioned earlier +P+ is a a way to denote even higher pressures than standard +P. There is no SAAMI spec for +P+ so buyer beware. I have used +P+ but only from major manufacturers like Federal and Corbon. I would be extremely leary of using +P+ loads from any ammo manufacturer without a solid reputation. |
Exactly, I would put my money on a bonded core bullet every time in performance tests against non bonded hollow points. I have done my own tests with Gold Dots and Golden Sabers into ice blocks. It doesn't show anything for penetration but shows expansion and weight retention. I have a 30mb word document that I put together with photos. It is to big to email and I don't know anyone to host it...... |
I believe you are incorrect. Standard ammo is generally loaded to be right at the top of the SAAMI pressure limit for the cartridge, without going over due to extreme heat or other variables. +P is over that limit and no particular standards exist. I could be wrong, but I have never seen any specifications for pressure limits on +P ammunition. |
Please read my post three posts above yours.  There is a SAAMI spec for +P for many cartidges (9x19, .45ACP, .38spc., etc.)... not for +P+ though. Search google for "SAAMI pressure" and you will find some interesting charts of the varoius loads and their pressure limits. 
|
I shoot wheelguns, thus I'm often wrong on the autoloader cartridges and other newfangled developments. 
|
Dump the Hydrashoks, get some Speer Gold Dots or Federal HST From Strecher's. |
I'd like to know this as well especially in the .45 loadings. I wonder about the 165 powerball +P ammo. Is the velocity higher because its +P or is the higher velocity there because the bullet is 65 grains lighter? The Hornady TAP 230 gr +P ammo I see is rated at 950fps from the muzzle and is only about 100-125fps faster than the standard 230gr which makes me believe its a true +P but the lighter loadings I'm not so sure of. |
I believe it has to do with bullet design. Cor-Bon .45acp 185+p uses a Barnes solid copper bullet and has a very large cavity due to expansion function. It probably can not be made heavier and still fall within the intended design. |