9x18 Makarov with BE-86

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joneb

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I was working off this recipe, http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?type=1&powderid=38&cartridge=162 with trimmed down 9x19 Win brass to .710", CCI 500 primers and Hornady .365" 95gr XTP. I loaded 5 rounds with 5.0gr of BE-86 at .965" COL here are results,
Firearm, PM w/a 19lbs recoil spring
H= 1121 fps
L= 1090 fps
Av=1105 fps
ES=31
SD=12
Shots x 5
As you can see I got lucky, I under estimated the effects of the reduced case capacity of the trimmed down 9x19 Win brass primer and bullet change, my bad. These loads were not very accurate, my next loads with this combo will be with 4.7 and 4.8gr of BE-86 hoping for a average velocity of around 1050 fps. and improved accuracy.
Your thoughts will be appreciated.
 
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I don't watch the COL as close as I watch where the base of the bullet is, some bullet profiles are longer then some others and if you have bullets with a longer nose, like FMJs and load them at the same COL as bullets with a shorter nose, like XTPs, then your seating deeper whether you mean to or not.

Fortunately you did the opposite of that when you when you seated deeper because you were using a shorter bullet than a FMJ.

If you ran your XTPs COL back out .015" to the .980" on your loads and dropped a couple tenths off the powder charge, you should be around where you want to be.

In your case, you were using FMJ data and COL and the XTPs are much shorter in length than FMJs are which brought the base of the bullet out of the case further giving probably about the same pressure as the FMJ load and saved your bacon.

By the way, all Alliant load data are maximum loads and you were still .4gr under max load for a FMJ and the base of the XTP bullet was probably about the same place as the FMJ so with your COL you loaded some loads that were probably max or a hair over.

Be careful
 
I was working off this recipe, http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?type=1&powderid=38&cartridge=162 with trimmed down 9x19 Win brass to .710", CCI 500 primers and Hornady .365" 95gr XTP. I loaded 5 rounds with 5.0gr of BE-86 at .965" COL here are results,
Firearm, PM w/a 19lbs recoil spring
H= 1121 fps
L= 1090 fps
Av=1105 fps
ES=31
SD=12
Shots x 5
As you can see I got lucky, I under estimated the effects of the reduced case capacity of the trimmed down 9x19 Win brass primer and bullet change, my bad. These loads were not very accurate, my next loads with this combo will be with 4.7 and 4.8gr of BE-86 hoping for a average velocity of around 1050 fps. and improved accuracy.
Your thoughts will be appreciated.

Very nice data from your Pistolet Makarova. I have found BE86's kissing cousin PowerPistol, and Unique to work great, esp PP with the Hornady 95 gr XTP. Highest velocity I have gotten yet has been with Unique and WW231, and accuracy seems plenty good enough from my poly-barreled CZ-82. Here is what my ProChrono Digital says about 5 gr of my lot of PP:

CZ82: 5 gr Power Pistol CCI 500 95 grain Horn XTP Mixed trimmed 9x19 cases OAL.965"
1001 1031 1017 1007 1013 AV 1013 ES 30 SD 11

If I recall correctly, Federal 9mm brass always gives me lower velocities, I think by virtue of more case capacity. I like the XTP bullet for this application, but in expansion testing it really expands aggressively, and penetration is a bit too shallow IMO to feel really comfortable with it for all-year SD. Mostly I keep it loaded with 93 grain cast lead RN, sized .365" driven to about 1050 fps. Have worked up a ton of data with these bullets using a ton of different propellants, and it seems my pistol is not very picky about shooting good groups/functioning over a wide spectrum of variables.

FWIW, many will state/report issues with lead bullets in poly barrels... No issues here, and in fact I am amazed how clean/no leading there is, even compared to conventional barrels. Good luck.
 
Mixed trimmed 9x19 cases
I weighed 5 of about a dozen different 9x19 clean deprimed cases Win. was among the lightest. Since I have a lot Win. 9x19 cases I choose this to trim to .710" for reloading 9x18 Mak.
I use the other cases for reloading 9x19 if I'm shooting both cartridges it makes it easier to sort out the 9x18 from the 9x19.
Most of the 9x19 I reload is with F-C or Blazer brass I pick it up at shooting areas.
 
If I trim 9mm to 9X18 Mak I like to use nickel cases, makes them easier to spot.
That works:)
Sometimes with trimmed 9x19 brass for 9x18 Mak I will draw a line across the head stamps with a black sharpie after they go in the ammo box, pretty quick and easy.
 
you loaded some loads that were probably max or a hair over.
I agree, I'm glad these loads went through a PM and not another variant. After firing the first round the chrony read 1109 I recovered the brass and it seemed okay. I'm guessing the loads were around 55 deg F, if they were at a higher temp. this may have not have worked out as well.
I'm sure the CZ 82 would have been okay with this load too.
 
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Mostly I keep it loaded with 93 grain cast lead RN, sized .365" driven to about 1050 fps.
I'm with you, I load 93gr RN cast with W-231 at the same velocity. For my carry load I use Federal American Eagle 95gr FMJ factory ammo it shoots well in the PM.
 
I tried 4.6 gr of BE-86 it shot well with a average velocity of 996 fps.
I will try 4.7gr of BE-86 and see how that goes.
Does Hornady still offer this bullet? I don't see it on their web sight.
 
The 4.7gr of BE-86 did not shoot as well as the 4.6gr load :( average velocity was 1,027fps
On a up note I tried a load with Accurate #2,
Bullet, Better bullets 93gr LRN BHN 21 .365" dia.
Brass, GFL 9x18 Mak
primer, CCI 500
Powder, accurate #2
Charge, 3.6gr
COL, .970"
High, 1020 fps
Low 1009 fps
AV, 1015 fps
ES, 11 fps
SD, 3
These loads shot very well but 2" high @ 15 yds.
I will try 3.7gr of Accurate #2 and see how goes.
 
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