.380 vs. 9 x 18

[Oldnamvet]

I was looking for reloading info on the 9 x 18 Mak to compare it with the .380 ACP. Lots of info on the .380 but none of my manuals have anything on the 9x18.

 

[lee n. field]

Got a particular bullet or powder in mind?

 

[Oldnamvet]

Nope. Just wanted to see what was generally available. Also wanted to see how close the 9x18 ballistics are to the 9x19. How much difference can one millimeter make?

 

[caz223]

http://www.makarov.com/mak04.html

 

[BillinNH]

Lyman's 48th edition has loads for 90, 95 and 100 grain bullets, several popular powders. Page 339.

Billl

 

[David4516]

9mm Mak (aka 9 X 18) is closer to .380 than it is to 9mm Luger (aka 9 X 19)

I tend to think of 9X18 as ".380 +P"

My "carry" load for my Makarov 9X18 is 4.1gr of bullseye and the 95gr Hornady XTP, with CCI primers. Average velocity for me was about 1040 FPS.

This load is fairly "hot" and you might want to start out a bit lower.

A somewhat more mild load that I've also had good luck with was 3.0 gr of Red-Dot and either 95gr JHPs (I've used several brands) or 100gr LRN bullets.

 

[lee n. field]

My "carry" load for my Makarov 9X18 is 4.1gr of bullseye and the 95gr Hornady XTP, with CCI primers. Average velocity for me was about 1040 FPS.

This load is fairly "hot" and you might want to start out a bit lower.

Uhh, yeah.

I grabbed a copy of the 2004 Alliant Reloader's Guide. They list 3.6 grains of Bullseye for a 95gr. JHP bullet.

 

[David4516]

I grabbed a copy of the 2004 Alliant Reloader's Guide. They list 3.6 grains of Bullseye for a 95gr. JHP bullet.

Different manuals will say different things. I know that at least one of my manuals had 4.1 listed as max load. The only one I have handy at the moment is my Speer Manual (13th edition), and it lists 3.9 as the max.

I should also mention that I have an after-market recoil spring in my Makarov, it's a bit stronger than the standard (I think standard is the 17 spring, I believe that the one I've got is a 19).

 

[TooTaxed]

Different manuals give slightly different data because they use different test guns. That's why I try to compare loads from several manuals before I select a powder charge.

Consider the Mak about halfway between the .380 and 9 x 19mm in standard FMJ power. I load 3.5 gr #231 (3.7-gr is max in Lyman #48) and either a 95-gr Speer Gold Dot or Hornady XTP bullet for self defense. But, I buy bulk cheap import ammo for range practice!