9x18 MAK bore size and other questions?

[Grmps]

MAKAROV 9MM 9X18 BULGARIA NH XX XXX 1942 BORE SLUGS @ .366

I'm new to MAK.. What do your MAK's slug out at?

After some reading, I converted 9x19 to 9x18

cast some lee .365x95 15 BHN with 1 coat PC unsized @.368

I'm working up loads with BE from the 2.2 to 3.2 range

What do you use for sizing?

What are you favorite powders for the MAK?

[Wayne Smith]

.3665" and 2.2gr BE. Shoots well and doesn't lead. Mine is a CZ, though.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I never slugged my SIL's Hungarian 9mm Mak.
My 95gr Lee mold drops them at .366 or a bit more? it's been a while since I cast some.
I Lube them with 45-45-10 twice, then load 'em without sizing using PowerPistol powder.

[runfiverun]

try what you have.
just a dummy round or two for feeding and plunking.
then shoot a handful to make sure.

[Czech_too]

In a CZ 82, I'm using the Ranch Dog mould, 367-100, sized to .366, tumble lubed twice.
As to powder, it's Unique, 4.0gr

[W.R.Buchanan]

You will need to size the interior of these new cases with a Makarov Expander as they will be way to small to accept a Mak Boolit. After the first firing you will F/L Size with the Mak sizing die and Expander just like they were real Mak cases to begin with.

I use the Lee boolit with PC on it as well. I also have a Saeco Mold that some fool paid $200 for and then sent to Eric for HPing. I got it for $20! but haven't shot any boolits made with it. It does make nice boolits.

I shoot the vast majority of these in my CZ82's.

Randy

[Grmps]

In my progressive
station 1) I decap with the Lee universal decap die
station 2) I expand with 38/357 expander
station 3) I expand with 9x18 mak expander
station 4) I F/L Size with the Mak sizing die

Trimmed to length: The Lee 9 mm MAK case length gauge trimmed to .695 so I used my RCBS trimmer to .708
debured the cases
Marked cases with sharpie
http://i.imgur.com/ZJiKNmq.jpg (https://imgur.com/ZJiKNmq)

http://i.imgur.com/kUJUD0X.jpg (https://imgur.com/kUJUD0X)

http://i.imgur.com/pubD4X6.jpg (https://imgur.com/pubD4X6)

then loaded like regular brass

I am looking for a way to permanently mark the cases.

I don't have a lathe to
http://i.imgur.com/ukmxQtB.jpg (https://imgur.com/ukmxQtB)
I am looking for a chemical to permanently blacken/discolor the brass without damaging it

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

SNIP...

I am looking for a chemical to permanently blacken/discolor the brass without damaging it
I've mentioned this before. One range I shoot at, does police qual shoots during the winter. The range is in the woods, with lots of Oak trees. I've picked up 556nato brass in the spring that is black, I assume it's the daily melting and refreezing of snow and/or the rain (which has higher oxygen than other water?) mixed with the decaying oak leaves (search oak leaves tannic acid) that puts this black tarnish on the brass, and I do mean black. The black does come off with a citric acid bath, but doesn't come off during tumbling in corn cob media, but polishes the black tarnish to a gloss.

[Yodogsandman]

I use the discotinued Lyman mold @ .3665 without sizing and lube with LLA. A max load of Accurate Arms #5 is my powder. I can't hold as good as this load shoots.

[dondiego]

MAKAROV 9MM 9X18 BULGARIA NH XX XXX 1942 BORE SLUGS @ .366

I'm new to MAK.. What do your MAK's slug out at?

After some reading, I converted 9x19 to 9x18

cast some lee .365x95 15 BHN with 1 coat PC unsized @.368

I'm working up loads with BE from the 2.2 to 3.2 range

What do you use for sizing?

What are you favorite powders for the MAK?

I was originally converting 9x19 to 9x18 but then I bought 500 9mm MAK brass from Starline and it is good stuff and properly headstamped.

[Grmps]

Yes, You can get 500 pcs for $87.5 shipped @ Starline.com

I've already converted over 1000 9x19 into 9x18. Thought I'd save a buck and get thicker cases. (plus I have a ton of 9x19 brass)

[JeffG]

I'm sizing .366 for a P64, P83 and RK59. I know I checked the P64 and it was around .365. The others, I believe I just tried them and they worked fine, no leading and excellent accuracy.

[armexman]

Hi,
I've posted before that if you use nickel plated 9Parabellum it is easy to pick-out your MAK cases at the range.
HTH

[Grmps]

Hi,
I've posted before that if you use nickel plated 9Parabellum it is easy to pick-out your MAK cases at the range.
HTH

This is true BUT... I didn't think about it until after I had converted over 1,000 rounds :(

[MaLar]

In a CZ 82, I'm using the Ranch Dog mould, 367-100, sized to .366, tumble lubed twice.
As to powder, it's Unique, 4.0gr

Same as mine but I don't size my mold casts at .367

[Jal5]

I size using a custom push thru die made by a guy on castboolits but I forget who!

[Boolseye]

My Bulgy Mak slugs around .366". The NOE/RD 367-100 RF works great, as does the Lee Mak mold, beagled to .367"
Brass is all converted 9x19, I use the nickel cases. One of the most accurate pistols I own.

[Grmps]

Nickle cases make so much sense.

I'll be hunting nickle

Thanks

[Boolseye]

Bullseye and 231 work great. Ranch Dog has lots of good data. You can always use .380 loads.

[Grmps]

Ranch Dog?????

[Yodogsandman]

Ranch Dog bullets made by NOE have Ranch Dog quickload files available at the NOE site.

[Grmps]

Thanks Yodogsandman

[Boolseye]

Pick up his Mak mold if you get a chance. Works very well.

[JeffG]

I have that mold. It works just fine on my P64. On the P83, the feed ramp is not as long as on the P64 so it wasn’t feeding well at all with that FP. I ended up taking the gun to a smith and he worked on the ramp some which has worked ok. I think I had issue with Hornady HP’s on it too. It needs a RP.

[9.3X62AL]

East German Makarov here, bought c. 1992. Slugged throat is a few tenths over .364", I size at .365" and it shoots VERY well to 1100 FPS. 100 grain RCBS limited-run mould from about the time I bought the pistol.

[Boolseye]

I would love to add a p64 to my collection.

[9.3X62AL]

For those not acquainted with the Makarov pistols or the cartridge, it was at first a bit surprising to those of us familiar with the usual run of pocket blowback 380 ACP pistols. The pistol bucks a bit when running full-value loadings. At this level, the system is close to the upper mechanical limits of blowback-operation. I would not get creative with load intensity. As it is, the recoil spring is pretty darn stalwart. The best description of the Makarov I could give would be "A Walther PP on steroids".

My example has been utterly reliable, factory ammo or reloads--cast bullets or jacketed, to include several hollow-point designs. After a year of running this pistol and seeing its reliability, I sold off my 380 ACPs and got entirely out of the caliber. I cannot recall a stoppage ever occurring with any load in this pistol.

[Grmps]

Really liking 2.3 gr BE, You don't have to chase the brass and it's a fun load to shoot. Not liking sorting brass 9x18 from 9x19 even with the black stripe they are hard to see. Got nickel coated now and will use that day to day, the regular brass will sit, loaded on the shelf, waiting for a rainy day or when I run out of loaded nickel.

[Boolseye]

For those not acquainted with the Makarov pistols or the cartridge, it was at first a bit surprising to those of us familiar with the usual run of pocket blowback 380 ACP pistols. The pistol bucks a bit when running full-value loadings. At this level, the system is close to the upper mechanical limits of blowback-operation. I would not get creative with load intensity. As it is, the recoil spring is pretty darn stalwart. The best description of the Makarov I could give would be "A Walther PP on steroids".

My example has been utterly reliable, factory ammo or reloads--cast bullets or jacketed, to include several hollow-point designs. After a year of running this pistol and seeing its reliability, I sold off my 380 ACPs and got entirely out of the caliber. I cannot recall a stoppage ever occurring with any load in this pistol.

+1. My Bulgarian specimen is one of the most accurate and reliable pistols I own in any caliber.

[brewer12345]

+1. My Bulgarian specimen is one of the most accurate and reliable pistols I own in any caliber.

Mine too. I just wish the sights were a little easier to see. Only downside to one as a carry piece is the weight.