.38 spl +p question

[fischfam]

I recently started reloading .38 ammo and have some .38 spl and .38 +p brass from my range. I know that the .38 spl +p has a bigger bang but after comparing the two empty shells they both appear to be the same size. Is there an actual difference other than the amount of charge in it or is it just that the headstamp makes it clear that one charge has more than the other?

[JoeWilliams]

+P is just .38 Special loaded hotter. If you check your reloading manuals, they'll most likely have standard pressure and +P loads listed.

[fischfam]

So that tells me that the brass should be interchangeable? Is that correct assessment? As long as I keep aware of which is which, hence the head stamp marking.

[imashooter2]

The brass is functionally identical and interchangeable.

[GRIZ]

The brass is functionally identical and interchangeable.


This is correct. The +P or +P+ is there to identify factory ammo.

[WVBob]

It's a hot load in the same case. The +P or +P+ stamp is the only difference. You will not get as many reloads out of the brass if you load it +P or +P+.