Need help on 9x18 makarov loading, thoughts, recipes, advice

[hambam105]

Make sure your Mak brass is boxer primed. Starline brass no problem.

[bruce381]

""I've heard AA 2, 5, 7; hodgen HP38; unique, and bullseye all work great too.""

if you are new to this sounds like it look up the type powder by mfg and see what if any loads they have for a mak.

AA 5 and 7 will not work well they are to slow so is unique the others are fine.

[sudo]

I agree about using a fast powder; you don't get much dwell time with straight blowback actions, especially if you're using old recoil springs. IMR Target and Bullseye work great for me. I've been trying to find a good load with Alliant Sport Pistol but I keep getting some powder blowback in my face.

[General Kronstadt]

Okay, good to know.

Any thoughts or recipes re: w231?

[ar15barrels]

In 1 out of 4 visits to the local gun shows, I see brand name jacketed bullets selling for ~nickel a piece because no one wants them.

I got 10 boxes of Hornady XTP's for $40 for that reason.
I am stocked with Makarov bullets for life...

[ar15barrels]

Okay, good to know.

Any thoughts or recipes re: w231?

This is not tested data, but here is what Quickload predicts:

Cartridge          : 9 mm Makarov
Bullet             : .363, 95, Hornady HP/XTP Mak 36500
Useable Case Capaci: 8.616 grain H2O = 0.559 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 0.984 inch = 24.99 mm
Barrel Length      : 3.7 inch = 93.5 mm
Powder             : Winchester 231

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 6.254% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-62.5   25     1.50    433      40    4189    935     56.5    1.001
-56.3   29     1.75    495      52    4901   1166     61.1    0.895
-50.0   33     2.00    555      65    5705   1416     65.5    0.813
-43.8   37     2.25    614      80    6599   1684     69.8    0.746
-37.5   42     2.50    673      95    7641   1964     73.9    0.689
-31.3   46     2.75    731     113    8848   2254     77.7    0.641
-25.0   50     3.00    788     131   10221   2549     81.2    0.598
-18.8   54     3.25    844     150   11764   2847     84.4    0.561
-12.5   58     3.50    899     171   13486   3145     87.3    0.527
-06.3   62     3.75    954     192   15395   3438     89.9    0.497
+00.0   67     4.00   1008     214   17502   3725     92.2    0.469
+06.3   71     4.25   1061     237   19820   4002     94.2    0.444  ! Near Maximum !
+12.5   75     4.50   1113     261   22363   4266     95.9    0.422  ! Near Maximum !
+18.8   79     4.75   1164     286   25148   4516     97.3    0.399  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+25.0   83     5.00   1214     311   28194   4749     98.4    0.378  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+31.3   87     5.25   1264     337   31521   4963     99.2    0.358  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     67     4.00   1059     237   20192   3844     97.3    0.442  ! Near Maximum !
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     67     4.00    946     189   14908   3482     84.7    0.505

Cartridge          : 9 mm Makarov
Bullet             : .365,  95, LEE 365-95-1R
Useable Case Capaci: 8.388 grain H2O = 0.545 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 0.984 inch = 24.99 mm
Barrel Length      : 3.7 inch = 93.5 mm
Powder             : Winchester 231

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.439% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-24.4   53     3.10    806     137   10009   2629     81.3    0.614
-22.0   55     3.20    829     145   10655   2750     82.7    0.597
-19.5   56     3.30    852     153   11331   2872     84.0    0.580
-17.1   58     3.40    874     161   12036   2993     85.3    0.565
-14.6   60     3.50    897     170   12773   3114     86.5    0.548
-12.2   61     3.60    919     178   13541   3234     87.7    0.533
-09.8   63     3.70    942     187   14342   3353     88.8    0.518
-07.3   65     3.80    964     196   15175   3471     89.9    0.503
-04.9   67     3.90    986     205   16043   3588     90.9    0.490
-02.4   68     4.00   1008     214   16946   3702     91.8    0.477
+00.0   70     4.10   1030     224   17884   3816     92.7    0.465
+02.4   72     4.20   1051     233   18860   3927     93.5    0.453
+04.9   73     4.30   1073     243   19873   4037     94.3    0.441  ! Near Maximum !
+07.3   75     4.40   1094     253   20926   4143     95.0    0.431  ! Near Maximum !
+09.8   77     4.50   1115     262   22019   4248     95.7    0.420  ! Near Maximum !
+12.2   79     4.60   1136     272   23154   4350     96.3    0.411  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     70     4.10   1083     247   20889   3928     97.6    0.432  ! Near Maximum !
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     70     4.10    965     196   14972   3571     85.1    0.505

[General Kronstadt]

This is not tested data, but here is what Quickload predicts:

Cartridge          : 9 mm Makarov
Bullet             : .363, 95, Hornady HP/XTP Mak 36500
Useable Case Capaci: 8.616 grain H2O = 0.559 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 0.984 inch = 24.99 mm
Barrel Length      : 3.7 inch = 93.5 mm
Powder             : Winchester 231

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 6.254% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-62.5   25     1.50    433      40    4189    935     56.5    1.001
-56.3   29     1.75    495      52    4901   1166     61.1    0.895
-50.0   33     2.00    555      65    5705   1416     65.5    0.813
-43.8   37     2.25    614      80    6599   1684     69.8    0.746
-37.5   42     2.50    673      95    7641   1964     73.9    0.689
-31.3   46     2.75    731     113    8848   2254     77.7    0.641
-25.0   50     3.00    788     131   10221   2549     81.2    0.598
-18.8   54     3.25    844     150   11764   2847     84.4    0.561
-12.5   58     3.50    899     171   13486   3145     87.3    0.527
-06.3   62     3.75    954     192   15395   3438     89.9    0.497
+00.0   67     4.00   1008     214   17502   3725     92.2    0.469
+06.3   71     4.25   1061     237   19820   4002     94.2    0.444  ! Near Maximum !
+12.5   75     4.50   1113     261   22363   4266     95.9    0.422  ! Near Maximum !
+18.8   79     4.75   1164     286   25148   4516     97.3    0.399  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+25.0   83     5.00   1214     311   28194   4749     98.4    0.378  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+31.3   87     5.25   1264     337   31521   4963     99.2    0.358  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     67     4.00   1059     237   20192   3844     97.3    0.442  ! Near Maximum !
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     67     4.00    946     189   14908   3482     84.7    0.505

Cartridge          : 9 mm Makarov
Bullet             : .365,  95, LEE 365-95-1R
Useable Case Capaci: 8.388 grain H2O = 0.545 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 0.984 inch = 24.99 mm
Barrel Length      : 3.7 inch = 93.5 mm
Powder             : Winchester 231

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.439% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-24.4   53     3.10    806     137   10009   2629     81.3    0.614
-22.0   55     3.20    829     145   10655   2750     82.7    0.597
-19.5   56     3.30    852     153   11331   2872     84.0    0.580
-17.1   58     3.40    874     161   12036   2993     85.3    0.565
-14.6   60     3.50    897     170   12773   3114     86.5    0.548
-12.2   61     3.60    919     178   13541   3234     87.7    0.533
-09.8   63     3.70    942     187   14342   3353     88.8    0.518
-07.3   65     3.80    964     196   15175   3471     89.9    0.503
-04.9   67     3.90    986     205   16043   3588     90.9    0.490
-02.4   68     4.00   1008     214   16946   3702     91.8    0.477
+00.0   70     4.10   1030     224   17884   3816     92.7    0.465
+02.4   72     4.20   1051     233   18860   3927     93.5    0.453
+04.9   73     4.30   1073     243   19873   4037     94.3    0.441  ! Near Maximum !
+07.3   75     4.40   1094     253   20926   4143     95.0    0.431  ! Near Maximum !
+09.8   77     4.50   1115     262   22019   4248     95.7    0.420  ! Near Maximum !
+12.2   79     4.60   1136     272   23154   4350     96.3    0.411  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     70     4.10   1083     247   20889   3928     97.6    0.432  ! Near Maximum !
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     70     4.10    965     196   14972   3571     85.1    0.505

Whoa. I hadn't heard of quick load, this is cool. Thanks.

I've been hunting for some hornady hp bullets. That's a great deal.

[General Kronstadt]

Can you use fired 9mm ultra for makarov?

I just was given a ton of brass, but its mostly 9mm police/ultra. I'm sure it was an honest mistake, but he only has a makarov, so he was shooting those. Seems dangerous.

[justMike]

Can you use fired 9mm ultra for makarov?

I just was given a ton of brass, but its mostly 9mm police/ultra. I'm sure it was an honest mistake, but he only has a makarov, so he was shooting those. Seems dangerous.

The Ultra brass should be expanded somewhat now, the work is partly done, try loading a few and see how the work out. I would definitely give them a go were I in your situation. Just my opinion / take.

BTW, what is the size of the case head, .394 like the Luger/Mak, or .374 as on the .380 Auto? Either one 'should' work.

[ar15barrels]

what is the size of the case head, .394 like the Luger/Mak, or .374 as on the .380 Auto?

It's around 0.394" like a 9x19.
The case is straight wall instead of tapered like a 9x19.

[justMike]

It's around 0.394" like a 9x19.
The case is straight wall instead of tapered like a 9x19.

Randall, thanks. I've never seen the 9x18 Ultra in the flesh. Doubt it's straight walled from the factory, but sure would be after being shot in a Makarov.

[ar15barrels]

Randall, thanks. I've never seen the 9x18 Ultra in the flesh. Doubt it's straight walled from the factory, but sure would be after being shot in a Makarov.

oh, I was talking about Makarov.
I'm not familiar with Ultra.

I did find this though:



From that, the Ultra appears to be more like a 380 than a Makarov.

[General Kronstadt]

I'll separate them out. Maybe measure a few to see. But rather would have makarov brass, of course n

[bruce381]

I've been casting for years and I'm still learning and improving. Lots of good info on castboolits.com. Basically you heat up the lead in your pot, pour into the mold, drop it from the mold and let it cool, then lube and you're ready to load it. If you get a good rhythm going and you have a 4 or 6 cavity mold, you can really crank out the bullets. Just like the rest of the reloading hobby, the difficulty really depends on what level of accuracy you're looking for. For me, I am really not that picky with handgun ammo, particularly for old C&R's: Mak, Tok, etc and revolvers. Since I'm only shooting around 10 yards I'll load and shoot some pretty ugly bullets that I cast. For rifles, such as my Swede Mausers, its a different story and I'm more picky. I'll toss more back into the pot and cast them again.

Dude life to short to shoot winkled bullets one work "run hotter"

[justMike]

So the Ultra is a .380 ACP Long Good to know. Yes, that is a straight walled case. Probably would work, but not ideal. You would need the smaller shell holder too, it is shared with the .223 Rem. Mak supplies come up in the CG Marketplace from time to time.