+P+ Ammo. I give up, what is it?

**tommeisen** · August 13th, 2011, 05:43 AM

I recently purchased a new model by Ruger, a LC9 9mm. In the manual it states do not shoot too much of the P+ ammo. What is too much? Maybe hundred's? Or more!! I'll use the 124gr. P+ for home defence or when I carry. But not use it for target practice. Thank's to all that gave out the info. on what the P+ meant!

**The_War_Wagon** · August 13th, 2011, 07:32 AM

ZOMBIE THREAD NEEDS BRAAAAAIIIINNNNNS...

**NuclearSociety** · August 13th, 2011, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by The_War_Wagon

ZOMBIE THREAD NEEDS BRAAAAAIIIINNNNNS...

damn, 4 year old zombie thread to

Thats considered old for zombie threads.

**Yellowfin** · August 13th, 2011, 09:15 AM

It would be fun to see what the NATO spec 9mm chronos out of a carbine or subgun vs. +p just to see what's gained out of that extra juice.

**Valorius** · August 13th, 2011, 12:36 PM

Well, since this zombie thread is once more ambling through the night....

Originally Posted by Mtbkski

I am getting back into the shooting thing. I have seen ammo listed as +P+.

1) What the heck is this stuff?

2) How do I know if my pistol will handle it?

3) I heard that the +P+ ammo in 9mm makes it rate with a 45 acp. Is this true? This would make a 9 mm very good for self defense wouldn't it?

4) What are your thoughts on the +P+ ammo out there?

Think "Magnum."

It really is just another way of saying the same thing.

Originally Posted by Holleta

+P is hot ammo
+P+ is extra hot ammo
both are higher pressure loads

+P+ is not recommended in many firearms.
It will also beat you and your gun up more than is necessary.

In most circumstance you would be better off with quality standard 9mm or perhaps..... +P 9mm. Both offer plenty of stopping power with less recoil/control issues or possible flinching.

Accuracy and shot placement carry much more weight than an extra + sign or two IMO.

I see a lot of opinion in this post, and precious little fact.

+P and +P+ don't even mean the same thing to every company.

Hell, Fiocchi 124gr STANDARD ammo is rated at 1250fps for their 124gr JFN round. That's the same velocity derived from Winchester Ra27 9mm+P+ 127gr LE only ammo.

In many cases, +P and +P+ are meaningless marketing terms.

Originally Posted by Yellowfin

It would be fun to see what the NATO spec 9mm chronos out of a carbine or subgun vs. +p just to see what's gained out of that extra juice.

Your wish is my command:

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/9mmluger.html

Winchester NATO "Q" 9mm (which is actually a +P round) has similar ballistics to the Corbon 124gr +P JHP loading listed.

5" gun= 1282fps
16" carbine= 1430fps

Some rounds benefit even more from a carbine, some others benefit less.

Here's the link for the velocity of all common pistol calibers in all barrel lengths from 2-18"

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/results.html

**Valorius** · August 13th, 2011, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by Yellowfin

It would be fun to see what the NATO spec 9mm chronos out of a carbine or subgun vs. +p just to see what's gained out of that extra juice.

Your wish is my command:

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/9mmluger.html

Winchester NATO "Q" 9mm (which is actually a +P round) has the same ballistics from a 5" gun as the Corbon 124gr +P JHP loading listed.

5" gun= 1282fps
16" carbine= 1430fps

Some rounds benefit even more from a carbine, some others benefit less.

Here's the link for the velocity of all common pistol calibers in all barrel lengths from 2-18"

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/results.html

**radnor** · August 13th, 2011, 07:56 PM

An email exchange between myself and Federal...

38 +P+ pressure we load to are 22,800PSI

9MM +P+ pressures we load to are 40,000PSI

Thank you

From: Radnor
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 6:40 AM
To: Prodserv
Subject: RE: Federal Premium - Ask the Expert Form

This is TRUE for regular and +p. My question was for all THREE reg, +p, AND +p+.

Any input?

--- On Tue, 4/5/11, Prodserv <Prodserv@ATK.COM> wrote:

From: Prodserv <Prodserv@ATK.COM>
Subject: RE: Federal Premium - Ask the Expert Form
To: Radnor
Date: Tuesday, April 5, 2011, 11:26 AM

www.saami.org will provide the industry standard for ammunition
pressures.

Thank you

-----Original Message-----
From: Radnor
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 7:51 AM
To: Prodserv
Subject: Federal Premium - Ask the Expert Form

Where can I find information on pressure generated from regular ammo,
+p, and +p+?

Thank you,
Radnor

**Valorius** · August 13th, 2011, 10:27 PM

Again, i will stress: +P and +P+ don't mean the same thing from company to company.

Federal 9bpLE+P+ drives a 115gr bullet to 1300fps
Corbon 9mm+P Sierra drives a 115gr bullet to 1400fps.

100fps faster for the Corbon +P than the Federal +P+.

Euro companies don't even usually use the +P distinction at all...and some of them are way into +P and even +P+ velocity ranges.

**Lucas** · August 14th, 2011, 08:02 AM

Velocity doesn't really matter in the +P or +P+ distinctions.

+P = +PRESSURE or +P+ = + PRESSURE +

all depends on the blend of powders they use to achieve the pressure.

Just because a bullet travels at a "x" velocity doesn't mean that it was driven with "y" pressure.

Example:
38 special, standard load
SR 4756 powder will push a 158 gr XTP to just about 890 FPS at 16,200 PSI

38 special +P
700-X will push the same 158 XTP only to about 865 FPS while developing 18,500 PSI

Velocity =/= pressure

**Valorius** · August 14th, 2011, 01:12 PM

You are correct, however, what we're buying +P or +P+ ammo for is not the pressure, it's the boost in velocity.

Hence my point. Just because something is +P+ it does not mean that it's hotter than +P, or even some "standard" pressure ammo.

Example:

Winchester Ra27+P+ 9mm: 1250fps
Fiocchi 124gr JFN 9mm: 1250fps