RELENG_4_8_0_RELEASE vs RELENG_4_8

[Robert H. Perry]

 I'm upgrading from 4.7 RELEASE and intended to build and install 4.8 
RELEASE.  It was recommended that I consider RELENG_4_8 because it 
contained some 13 security fixes.  I came across a CVS website 
indicating that the code was for security advisories  and other 
seriously critical fixes.   Does this mean that RELENG_4_8 does not have 
all of the code as RELEASE 4.8?  Is it any more or less stable?

Thank you.

Bob