+P+ Ammo

[Commander]

I just bought a Taurus Protector Poly 357 and upon reading the owners manual saw that
Taurus does not recommend the use of +P+ ammo in it. I was wondering that since it is a 357
Could it handle 38 Special +P+ ammo? I can see if it was a 38 that +P+ might be too stout a load
But as a 357 it is constructed to handle a more powerful load and might be able to handle it.

[Salty1]

But as a 357 it is constructed to handle a more powerful load and might be able to handle it.

I would follow the manufacturers instructions, "might be able to handle it" equates to might also blow up in your face, from my perspective any "might" regarding firearms means stay far away and don't even think of it, but it's your call.....

[w squared]

I'm not quite sure why .38 special +P+ would even be worth looking at when you're loading it into a .357 Magnum. After all, .357 will generate muzzle velocities that are almost twice what a .38 special will do with a similar bullet weight...no +P or +P+ loading can offer such a dramatic performance increase.

[Jumping Frog]

Every gun manufacturer will warn against using +P+ ammunition because there are no standards that define "+P+".

SAAMI defines pressure limits and other aspects of ammunition standards for regular ammunition. SAAMI also defines "+P" standards for certain calibers (9 mm +P, .38 SP +P, .38 Super +P, and .45 AUTO +P).

For what it is worth, SAAMI .357 Mag allows 37,800 PSI maximum probable sample mean pressure and does not even define a +P, much less +P+.

http://www.saami.org/specifications_and ... ndex.cfm#1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

However, SAAMI does not define +P+.

Thus, a homegrown idiot ammunition manufacturer could conceivably load ammo into a .357 Mag case to 75,000 psi and call it "+P+". Blow up your gun or your hand, but there is no SAAMI limit. Thus no manufacturer will ever approve +P+.

This gets to the second question, why in the world would you want a .357 to be loaded that heavy anyway? Are you going to hunt Alaska Brown Bear with a .357 Mag? Loads that heavy are certainly not helpful or useful for self defense anyway, since the main worry with .357 Mag is overpenetration, not underpenetration.

[cheezit]

maybe hes tring to load 200gr hardcast

[Commander]

I was given three boxes of the +P+ and was wanting to use it if I could. If not i'll sell or trade it for something I can use.

[K.Mooneyham]

I was given three boxes of the +P+ and was wanting to use it if I could. If not i'll sell or trade it for something I can use.

Who made the ammo and what is the exact name of it? I know that the Buffalo Bore company makes +P+ ammo, just for an example...I'd be curious to look the stuff up.

[tomtexan]

If it were me, I would shy away from the idea.

[Commander]

It's Federal Premium 38 Special High Velocity +P+ 147 grain Hydra-Shok JHP "For Law Enforcement use Only"

[K.Mooneyham]

It's Federal Premium 38 Special High Velocity +P+ 147 grain Hydra-Shok JHP "For Law Enforcement use Only"

Just my opinion only, I'm not a gunsmith, competition shooter, ect...I wouldn't fire that out of anything that wasn't a modern "full-size" .357 Magnum revolver. What I mean by that is, I have a Taurus .357 Magnum Model 66 that I bought new about a year or so ago (you can look it up and see the size of it)...I would fire the ammo you have out of that pistol. I would NOT fire it out of a snubby or any other small-frame pistol, and I wouldn't fire it out of anything chambered for .38 Special. That ammo is probably loaded below .357 magnum levels, but its still likely to be pretty hot stuff. However, I'd guess its decent quality since its made by Federal, though. Once again, merely my personal opinion.

[cheezit]

i was thinking pretty much the same thing. full size heavy .357 like a gp100 would be a good to go. small frame may have bad results

[Andrew]

It's Federal Premium 38 Special High Velocity +P+ 147 grain Hydra-Shok JHP "For Law Enforcement use Only"

That's an old FBI load. It was specifically designed for use in .357 magnums(Bureau wanted to avoid the evil "magnum" moniker. Great expansion characteristics, hits the 12" penetration mark every time and is supposed to be extremely accurate. Muzzle velocity was in the 920-950 range, IIRC. I'm sorry I can't recall what chamber pressures were.

[w squared]

This is making a little more sense now. Thanks for clarifying.

I'd see if you can find out what the pressure spec is for that load (the manufacturer may be able to tell you). As long as it's below what the pressure spec is for .357 Magnum (it certainly should be), I'd say that you're okay to fire it .357 Magnum.