9x18 Makarov

[Catbird]

Although I've been an avid reloader for 25 plus years, I've only just begun reloading for this caliber.

I realize that loaded surplus ammo is relatively inexpensive and fairly plentiful, but I like reloading as a hobby.

I have a few different manuals on hand as well as several different powders that I could use, but I'm looking for input from experienced reloaders. I'd like to develop a warm-ish load with a 95 grain jacketed or plated bullet that would consistently register 1100 - 1125 fps (or so) on my chronograph.

For starters, I ordered 100, 90 gr. Speer Gold Dots and 250, 95 gr. Berry's plated RN bullets.

Do you have any recipes that you've used and you'd like to share?

 

[hms365]

I've tried the following in 9mm cases that were trimmed down to 18mm.

Hornedy XTP-HP 95 grain
COAL 0.955
WW231 powder

3.3 gr 905 fps
3.5 gr 950 fps
3.8 gr 1040 fps
4.0 gr 1085 fps

CAUTION: The cutdown cases looks like they blew a little gas pass them on the first firing, there was some soot down one side. The velocities may be higher starting these on Mak cases.

 

[TooTaxed]

My favorite carry load used the Gold Dots with #231...wish I could tell you the amount, but I don't have that data handy. Devestating on gallon jugs of water and melons, though! Bought a thousand rounds of the cheap import stuff for range use.

 

[Dr.Doug]

Catbird-

I bought a Mak back when ammo was hard to find, so I started to reload for it! I don't do heavy loads, but I've had great results with Accurate #2 and Hornady 95 gr. XTPs. I've used Sierra, Berry, and some old Midway bullets without a glitch as well. (As a matter of fact, I used my Mak in a bowling pin shoot last summer and took 2nd place!) BTW, it's not a bad idea to replace the recoil spring if you're using hot loads. Check out Makarov.com for goodies!

Doug

 

[Catbird]

Thank you for your comments/suggestions!

Soon after I submitted the opening post (before any responses), I decided to take a stab at some of my best guess recipes.

Using new Starline 9x18 brass, 90 gr. Speer Gold Dot bullets and AA#5 powder, I loaded 10 rounds each of:
1) 4.8 gr. powder
2) 5.0 gr. powder
3) 5.2 gr. powder
4) 5.4 " "
5) 5.6 " "
6) 5.8 " "
7) 6.0 gr. powder.

I attempted to chronograph a sampling from each group (1-7), but I was getting such strange numbers that I quit for the time being after shooting 1-3. For example:
load #1 gave me 788.2 fps, 841.9 fps & 837.5 fps
load #2 gave me 822.5 fps, 903.7 fps & 883.2 fps
load #3 gave me 902.6 fps & 980.1 fps.

Due to the large spread in figures, I decided to stop until I figure out what the problem is with my chrony.

None of the brass and/or primers from the fired cases indicated any pressure problem(s) whatsoever.

Dr. Doug-
Thanks...I already have a Wolff 21# recoil spring in my Mak and I visit www.makarov.com daily.

I'm still open to any and all additional recipes. Thank-you.

 

[The Bushmaster]

AA#5 is temperature sensitive and tends to increase in pressure as it gets warmer. As an advicate of W-231 in my auto loaders and short barraled revolvers...Try it.

 

[TooTaxed]

Here's another vote for #231...after many years of loading handgun with Bullseye, Herco, Red Dot, and Unique, I 've standardized on #231 for everything from 9-mm Mak to .45 Colt.

You probably did this, but I carefully measure powder for each individual test load on a beam scale...a powder measure simply isn't accurate enough, especially with some coarse powders. Once I decide on a load, then the powder measure comes into play...and then I check about every tenth to fifteenth charge on a beam scale.