Does the higher grain size mean a more powerful or better bullet?
You need to compare different cartridges, there is a lot of physics that make up the best selection.
question, though
If Ruger tells me that I can't use +P ammo but the guy at the gun shop told me that I could then I should be able to get a refund, shouldn't I?Here's an explanation of weight vs muzzle velocity with respect to energy release;
http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/...r-1911-460-rowland-build-off-10752/#post75149
And PLEASE, before you go shooting any +P loads, call Ruger and ask them (not the guy you bought the gun from!) if +P (factory hot loads) are safe to use in your specific model! Their answer will tell you a lot about the quality of your gun!
DO NOT USE +P AMMO UNTIL YOU CALL RUGER!
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Ruger is a very reputable firearms manufacture and my bet is the response will be the same as most of this level of producers provide, "You should have no problem using +P ammo but we recommend you not use a steady diet of +P. Keep in mind with any use of increased performance ammo you will produce accelerated wear to your firearm."
Make the phone call, that Cane suggested FIRST before you make NEGATIVE assumptions. I think that you will probably be POSITIVELY surprised!
Interesting, I didn't know performance ammo accelerates wear on the fire arm. Through my research though I did read numerous articles that said not to use the performance ammo at the range, only load it in the gun when it is put away in case it needs to be used.Ruger is a very reputable firearms manufacture and my bet is the response will be the same as most of this level of producers provide, "You should have no problem using +P ammo but we recommend you not use a steady diet of +P. Keep in mind with any use of increased performance ammo you will produce accelerated wear to your firearm."
Call them and see what they say. If their answer is NO, ask them why their dealers are saying the opposite and I did not get the firearm I was sold!
Let them figure out how to keep you as a loyal customer!![]()
Not sure if you saw it but this is the response that I posted in the introduction thread regarding why I bought the .38 versus the .357:Make the phone call, that Cane suggested FIRST before you make NEGATIVE assumptions. I think that you will probably be POSITIVELY surprised!
Can you please explain why the +P bullets accelerate the wear of a firearm?Ruger is a very reputable firearms manufacture and my bet is the response will be the same as most of this level of producers provide, "You should have no problem using +P ammo but we recommend you not use a steady diet of +P. Keep in mind with any use of increased performance ammo you will produce accelerated wear to your firearm."
Call them and see what they say. If their answer is NO, ask them why their dealers are saying the opposite and I did not get the firearm I was sold!
Let them figure out how to keep you as a loyal customer!![]()
Thank you for your response, I have sent Ruger a response via email inquiring about the +P issue.
The +P indicates higher chamber pressure, hotter loads. The higher pressure increases the stress on the metals. Also, some guns are susceptible to the topstrap fatigue from high pressure loads as the hot gases escape from the cylinder gap, in effect creating somewhat of a cutting torch on the strap immediately above it.
Plus P Ammo
You still need to call Ruger and confirm your model is suitable for +P ammo!
Thanks a lot for your response & explaining this. It totally make sense, increased pressure creates more wear & tear on the firearm.Plus P Ammo
Most shooters see +P and instantly think more power. Although it may be true the +P rating actually stands for "plus pressure" or "increased pressure."
Pressure is what propels the bullet down the barrel. This pressure is regulated by an industry organization known as SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer's Association).
A cartridge that has been around for a long time, is actually capable of being loaded to higher pressures than SAAMI has established. For example let's consider your .38 Special, a cartridge more than 100 years old. Many currently produced guns in this chambering can handle higher pressures but SAAMI can’t change the set standard because of the older guns in circulation. These older guns can't handle the increase safely.
In this case SAAMI has established a second standard that is refer to as "+P." These are now considered two separate cartridges and must be marked with the +P on the headstamp. The standard .38 Special will read ".38 Special" or ".38 Sp." and the higher pressure rated cartridge is marked with a +P added to its name.
The cartridges SAAMI has established a second, higher pressure, +P version, include the .38 Special, 9mm Luger, .38ACP, and .45ACP. All are old rounds that were created before WWI. Modern counterparts are referred to as .38 Special +P, 9mm +P, .38 Super +P, and .45ACP +P.
The .40S&W doesn’t have a +P counterpart because it was designed in the 1990s, and all guns made for them are capable of firing the established pressure.
The two disadvantages of the +P cartridge are, more recoil and it will be harder on the gun. Even if the gun is rated appropriate for +P ammo, it will wear out faster. The pressure of firing the gun is what wears it out, therefore the higher the pressure the more wear.
Most of us use the +P ammo for personal defense and standard load ammo for practice. After carrying for a while we usually expend the vintage carry ammo and reload with fresh. This gives us the occasional practice with +P ammo that keeps us aware of how it feels to shoot.
Revolvers have less to worry about because they're intrinsically stronger than autos. By design, some gas bleeds out of the gap between the cylinder and forcing cone. When I fire my Magna-ported Ruger NM Blackhawk in low light conditions it looks like a Pink Floyd concert!![]()
