Hornady 9x18mm XTP load for CCW use in Makarov?

[.455_Hunter]

How do you folks feel about Hornady's XTP JHP loading for the 9x18mm?

Would it be a good load for general CCW use in an Arsenal Makarov?

This load appears to be the only JHP that is consistently available on the open market. Various Russian JHP loads seem to appear quickly and then disappear just as quickly when you want to build-up a supply.

Here the nominal specs- 95 gr XTP @ 1000 fps for 211 fpe.

Brassfetcher shows about 940 fps w/ 7.5" or so of bare gelatin penetration w/ about .57" expansion.

GoldenLoki shows 959 fps w/ 9.6" of bare gelatin penetration w/ .61" expansion.

Remember these are bare gelatin values, so it seems to me that clothed values should be a little deeper.

Please comment.

Thanks,

Hunter

 

[.455_Hunter]

ADDITIONAL NOTE:

I currently use Federal's "American Eagle" 95 gr.FMJ round as my carry load. It has never malfunctioned and averages over 1000 fps in my Mak. The Hornady XTP round has to show a lot of merit to replace my current load.

 

[rockinrussky]

I use that Hornady JHP load for my CZ-82 and its works fine. The recoil is a lot less snappy than it is with standard 9x18 loads IMO. I haven't shot that out of a Makarov and to be fair I haven't shot any other 9x18 JHP at this point so I would just recommend buying a box to try it out.

 

[North Bender]

Hello .455:

The Hornady round is probably the best JHP available, although your comment about the Russian rounds not being consistently available is not correct. There are lots of vendors currently selling Silver Bear 94-grain JHP.

Even though Hornady sells the 9x18 as "1,000 fps", in 20 rounds that I put through a chronograph it flew an average of 914 fps. Others remark the same. But it tests well for expansion given the limitations.

Since you asked for an opinion: I don't think, nor do some others, that this is a caliber for JHP rounds.

 

[twinhairdryers]

I would recommend using the load you have had 0 problems with

You say:

I currently use Federal's "American Eagle" 95 gr.FMJ round as my carry load. It has never malfunctioned and averages over 1000 fps in my Mak. The Hornady XTP round has to show a lot of merit to replace my current load.

Why would you switch to a different load when you have a perfect track record feeding the FMJ? A 95gr ball isn't going to go through a wall or a truck. I wouldn't switch to a fancy new defense load because it is popular. Feed it what it reliably feeds. In that caliber, i'd rather have a round out the snout than worry about how it will compact and create exit wounds and such. Stick with what works. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I know it does not mean much, but when I chronographed a single factory XTP round in my Makarov it ran a 1010 fps. Maybe the one box I have is from a "hot" lot?

 

[M2 Carbine]

I'm a big fan of the Hornady XTP (and Gold Dot) bullet.

I'm not a big fan of the Hornady 9x18 factory load because when I chronographed it (from a Makarov) the average muzzle velocity was only 921 fps, with the highest at 945 and a low of 882 fps.

Like .455_Hunter says, maybe my box was a weak load.


Personally, if I carried the 9x18 I'd use my XTP handloads, 1100+ fps or 120 gr Sliver Bear JHP, 1,000 fps.
The 120 gr Silver Bear hasn't been available for some time.