[Cactus Jack Arizona]

I have a question about the technology rating of self-defense bullets, specifically the 9X18 Hornady XTP hollow points. Although several companies make 9X18 rounds in FMJ, there seem to be only two makers of JHP, Silver Bear and Hornady.

Now, I know there is a difference between 9X18 and 9X19. However, since there are very few 9X18 JHP brands to compare with, we'll have to compare oranges to tangerines....so to speak. :rolleyes: So, how do the Hornady 9X18 JHP's match up against other 9mm self-defense rounds such as the Rem Golden Sabers, Federal Premium HST's, Hornady Critical Defense?

Thanks for your help.

[nathan]

I traded with someone before who had several Barnaul 9 x 18 HP. It is quite accurate in my RUssian IJ 70. In fact, its whats loaded in my makarov right now.

Most say to use FMJs for penetration esp in a small caliber like 9 mm Mak. As long u hit the target good , that what matters in the end , be it FMJ or HP.

[schnarrgj]

Here is a site which show a few different types of ammo for the 9mm Mak. http://www.goldenloki.com/ammo/gel/9x18/gel9x18.htm My CZ82 is loaded with the Silver Bear HP which is made by CJSC Branaul.

[BlindJustice]

IMO -Comparing the higher pressure 9x19 to 9x18 is folly

Here's a source for some HD/SD 9mm Mak ammo

Reeds Ammunition & Research

Link to Homepage

http://www.reedsammo.com/

Go to Online Store then
Pistol Ammo and scroll down to

9mm Markarov aka 9x18
loads available
90 gr. Speer Gold Dot @ 1,095 FPS
95 gr. Hornady XTP @ 1,047 FPS


Although I don't have any experience with 9mm
Makarov, I've found R.A.R. ammo in .45 ACP, .45 Auto
Rim, & .400 Corbon to be good in performance & fairly
priced. I'm going to try some of the .45 Colt, .38 Special
and 9mmx19 next order.

Randall

[KBintheSLC]

I wouldn't hesitate to carry and use Silver Bear JHP in a Mak. While it is not considered by most to be "premium" ammo, it has been totally reliable, reasonably accurate, and hits pretty hard. That is "premium" enough in my book. Also, it is priced perfectly to actually enable practice with your carry ammo.

[Cactus Jack Arizona]

".....it is priced perfectly to actually enable practice with your carry ammo."

Good point, KB. :)

[The_Shootist]

For me its become an easy decision again. Practice ammo for 9mm in my area out the door is $9/50 (steel case) to $12/50 brass case. SB JHP Mak ammo is $12/50 BEFORE shipping so there is no compelling price advantage. The Monarch Brass 9mm at the same price gives me a good practice round for my G19, and the supply of Remington GS 124gr +P is coming back (my carry round).

When "mainstream" ammo was in short supply , but Mak ammo was plentiful, yeah, I had no qualms carrying the SB JHP (and two backup mags) in my Bulgy. But now there is a cheaper supply of practice ammo for 9mm and good SD ammo is also coming back. It doesn't make any sense to use a Mak vs the more powerfull 9mm if you are just looking at it from an ammo supply perspective.

There would have to be other considerations (convenience/comfort etc). I'll concede dropping my Bulgy into a Nemisis holster in my right front pocket is easier/lighter than going IWB with my G19 - and I can draw faster pocket carry as well. :D

[Fiv3r]

For me, my 9x18 is considered to be a peppier (and cheaper and more easily found online) round to the .380. I carry a P-64 when I can't carry anything else easily.

However, even with a ramp polish it doesn't RELIABLY feed jhp ammo. For something that small, I just stick with penetration and go fmj. Plus fmj 9x18 is about 10 bucks a box of 50 compared to $14.50 for .380 fmj. This was pretty inexpensive shooting with the ammo drought of the last couple months.

[KBintheSLC]

SB JHP Mak ammo is $12/50 BEFORE shipping so there is no compelling price advantage.
That is too much for Mak ammo. I would just load it up with this stuff.

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/product_info.php/pName/1000rds-9x18-makarov-silver-bear-94gr-hp-ammo/cName/9x18-makarov-hollow-point-ammo

$0.23/round is very inexpensive for JHP in any caliber. This is not junk ammo either.


...

[woad_yurt]

I don't believe that any 9X18 ammo has enough juice to reliably expand and penetrate well. Hornady's JHPs are only rated at 1000 fps & 211 ft lbs. That's getting too skimpy for my comfort level. I like Fiocchi's FMJ for practice and carry. It's 267 ft lbs, not bad for the cheaper end of the spectrum.

[Norinco982lover]

I also carry the 95 grain XTP rounds.

They feed decently in my 85 CZ82...although a 92 CZ82 I tried out had much more of a lip in the feedramp and it would not feed the XTPs.

~Norinco

[bltmonty]

I reload my 9x18 and use the 95 grain xtp. I also use 9x19 brass but trimmed to 18mm in length. I use Lee trimmers--they work great. 9x19 brass is made to handle much higher pressures and is quite a bit stronger than the normal 9x18 brass.

I use Hodgdon H-6 and carefully work up to about 1200 fps in my Cz 82 and EG and Baikal Makarovs. HS-6 is a slower powder for the 9x18 and works just right with this high velocity load. All guns have heavier duty Wolff springs. This load is around 300 foot pounds of energy, not bad.

It works for me, but I have been very careful in the load development. there are no signs of pressure problems and accuracy is great.