Anyone Reload 9x18 Makarov with Lee Dies?

[daddyseal]

The Lee set that Midway sent me has sizing error... what dia. does yours sizer die take your cases to, please??

[Freightman]

Simple send it back they will make it right! A Mak is .365 not .356 so do not get 9mm or .357's mixed up.

[9.3X62AL]

Case diameter after a pass through the sizing die should be in the vicinity of .386"-.387". I get these results from both steel and tungsten-carbide RCBS sizing dies.

[Uncle Grinch]

My Lee die was wrong also and all it took was a call to Lee. They mailed the proper sizing die at no charge.

[UNIQUEDOT]

Anyone Reload 9x18 Makarov with Lee Dies?

Yep, been using them for probably 18 or so years. I can't give you a measurement right now because all i have on hand is trimmed 9x19's that haven't been fire formed yet, but indeed if i recall correctly it's .386 - .387 like has been suggested. Call Lee and ask them what it should be. What problems are you having? did they put the wrong sizer in the die or the wrong die in the box? it should say 9mm mak on the sizer or at least my older ones do.

[daddyseal]

Case diameter after a pass through the sizing die should be in the vicinity of .386"-.387". I get these results from both steel and tungsten-carbide RCBS sizing dies.

9x18 Mak bullets are .363 dia. And that's exactly the dia. of cast boolits sent from Midway are.
I'm using range found 9x19 Luger brass (.355 before firing), trimmed down a millimeter to 9x18.
The sizing dies does not open them up, but resizes them down to .340~!!
So, my seated boolits are bulged there.

I've had bad luck calling Lee about there "6-Cavity Bullet Mold 356-125-2R 9mm Luger, 38 Super, 380 ACP (356 Diameter) 125 Grain 2 Ogive Radius" mold that I bought mainly for 9mm and .38, but having it also work for my .380ACP...I was excited.
There is NO Load data Anywhere for .380 at 125 grns....they told me they did not care, and it was up tp me to buy molds for boolits that had load data....totally acted like I had NO Idea what I was complaining about.
I have Never Seen a 125 grn .380...that is Way to Heavy...They refused to take the mention of being good for "380's" from that mold.

So, I'm having Midway call and get me the correct sized die.

[zxcvbob]

Anyone Reload 9x18 Makarov with Lee Dies?
I do, and I've never had any problem with them. (now you've got me worried)

I use cut-down 9mm Luger brass. It's been a while since I trimmed any, but I *think* I used the 9x18 expander die first, and then the sizer.

Do you have a .38 S&W sizer die? That might work; I'm not sure. They are pretty close to the same size.

[daddyseal]

I do, and I've never had any problem with them. (now you've got me worried)

I use cut-down 9mm Luger brass. It's been a while since I trimmed any, but I *think* I used the 9x18 expander die first, and then the sizer.

Do you have a .38 S&W sizer die? That might work; I'm not sure. They are pretty close to the same size.
I wouldn't worry, I know you inspect the round after seating your bullet...you would notice the bulge around the bullet...larger dia. than rest of the case.

Yes, I decap a bunch with a hand press, use the expander die to open the mouth of the case enough to run the full length sizing die thru it...trim off the millimeter...then go as usual size, prime...but case is still only .345, maybe at the most.

Yes, I have .38 dies...I guess I could use until Lee or Midway sent replacement correct sizing die, but would only resize to .357...closer, I guess.

[zxcvbob]

Yes, I have .38 dies...I guess I could use until Lee or Midway sent replacement correct sizing die, but would only resize to .357...closer, I guess.


Notice I said ".38 S&W" (not .38 Special)

[daddyseal]

Notice I said ".38 S&W" (not .38 Special)

Oops...I don't have .38 S&W dies.

[9.3X62AL]

Your .340" finished sizing diameter is very close to the nominal sizing for 32 S&W Long and 32 ACP (.335"-.337"). That size die is profoundly WRONG.

The sizing for 38 S&W and 9mm Makarov can be very close, dependant upon case make. 38 SPECIAL/357 Magnum case diameter is usually .378"-.380".

My compliments to you for taking out a caliper/micrometer and checking dimensions.

[Artful]

I've had bad luck calling Lee about there "6-Cavity Bullet Mold 356-125-2R 9mm Luger, 38 Super, 380 ACP (356 Diameter) 125 Grain 2 Ogive Radius" mold that I bought mainly for 9mm and .38, but having it also work for my .380ACP...I was excited.
There is NO Load data Anywhere for .380 at 125 grns....they told me they did not care, and it was up tp me to buy molds for boolits that had load data....totally acted like I had NO Idea what I was complaining about
.
I have Never Seen a 125 grn .380...that is Way to Heavy...They refused to take the mention of being good for "380's" from that mold.

So, I'm having Midway call and get me the correct sized die.

the boolit cast is technically able to be shot from you 380 ACP
limited loading data is available I would agree
here's a link
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?p=1138934
and
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=380%20ACP&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

You can find data for 115 grn loads and could use the starting loads in all probablility

[UNIQUEDOT]

I'm using range found 9x19 Luger brass (.355 before firing), trimmed down a millimeter to 9x18.

Be aware that you will still likely have some boolit bulging even when you get the correct die till you fire those trimmed lugers for the first time. After you fire them the first time they will expand to the 9 x 18's chamber and will be thinner than true makarov brass.

[daddyseal]

Be aware that you will still likely have some boolit bulging even when you get the correct die till you fire those trimmed lugers for the first time. After you fire them the first time they will expand to the 9 x 18's chamber and will be thinner than true makarov brass.

Right, but should not the makarov dies do that?

[zxcvbob]

Right, but should not the makarov dies do that?

No. But they sort of will if you run the expander die in them as far as it will go before you size them.

[zaphod042]

9x19 Lugar case sidewalls are tapered, 9x18 makarov case sidewalls are straight. That is why the makarov bullets are .365 vs the .356 diameter for 9mm Lugar.

[daddyseal]

Your .340" finished sizing diameter is very close to the nominal sizing for 32 S&W Long and 32 ACP (.335"-.337"). That size die is profoundly WRONG.

The sizing for 38 S&W and 9mm Makarov can be very close, dependant upon case make. 38 SPECIAL/357 Magnum case diameter is usually .378"-.380".

My compliments to you for taking out a caliper/micrometer and checking dimensions.

I am using 9mm 9x19 range brass trimmed down to 9x18.

"Close to that"?...what morphidite die did they send me...HaHa.
What caliber would want cases sized to .342 anyway?
Is it good for Anything at all?

[UNIQUEDOT]

Right, but should not the makarov dies do that?

No, trimming down to 9x18 and running through the dies is going allow the brass to accept the boolit, but it isn't going to remove all the taper. It will be straight after the first firing, but it will also be thinner and weaker than makarov brass.

[UNIQUEDOT]

9x18 Mak bullets are .363 dia. And that's exactly the dia. of cast boolits sent from Midway are.

You will probably get leading with .363 bullets, .363 is fine for jacketed, but you usually need .365 in a boolit for the makarov. I've had the opportunity to work with .367 recently in it as well.

[daddyseal]

You will probably get leading with .363 bullets, .363 is fine for jacketed, but you usually need .365 in a boolit for the makarov. I've had the opportunity to work with .367 recently in it as well.

Oops...you are right, the cast bullets midway shipped me are .365.

But I'd better send back the Lyman .363 lubesizer die the are sending me. Lyman does not make a .364 or .365

[leadman]

You probably will not find a .365" sizer do send your .363" to one of the members here to have it enlarged. Think Buckshot can do this.

I have seen Mak bores as large as .367" so you should slug your bore first.

[Jal5]

I agree with leadman and I did it that way: slug the Mak bore then have the sizer die made for that gun. :)

[daddyseal]

No. But they sort of will if you run the expander die in them as far as it will go before you size them.
I do that, of course, like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0B9-nVDs-Y

[daddyseal]

9x19 Lugar case sidewalls are tapered, 9x18 makarov case sidewalls are straight. That is why the makarov bullets are .365 vs the .356 diameter for 9mm Lugar.
Of course:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0B9-nVDs-Y

[daddyseal]

No, trimming down to 9x18 and running through the dies is going allow the brass to accept the boolit, but it isn't going to remove all the taper. It will be straight after the first firing, but it will also be thinner and weaker than makarov brass.
Yes, the Mak sizing die Does make it straight walled .365, like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0B9-nVDs-Y

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I load for makarov using cast boolits from a Lee 365-95 mold.
they drop from my mold around .366
I lube them with 45-45-10 and load them unsized.
they work great.
Jon
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/786209/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-365-95-1r-9mm-makarov-365-diameter-95-grain-1-ogive-radius

[daddyseal]

My Lee die was wrong also and all it took was a call to Lee. They mailed the proper sizing die at no charge.

they are doing that...I hope it's here tomorrow

[daddyseal]

I load for makarov using cast boolits from a Lee 365-95 mold.
they drop from my mold around .366
I lube them with 45-45-10 and load them unsized.
they work great.
Jon
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/786209/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-365-95-1r-9mm-makarov-365-diameter-95-grain-1-ogive-radius

I have that mold...
You mean you "hand lube" them?

[UNIQUEDOT]

Yes, the Mak sizing die Does make it straight walled .365, like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0B9-nVDs-Y

No it doesn't make them completely straight walled. If you think that it does you can prove to yourself otherwise by trimming a few hundred of them and run them through the 9x18 dies and then take measurements from the mouth to the ejector groove. Then load them and fire them and run them back through the dies and compare your measurements to those before they were fire formed. The case behind the trimmed portion is already smaller than 9x18 diameter before you run them through the dies and the expander doesn't enter far enough to remove it either.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I have that mold...
You mean you "hand lube" them?

I tumble lube them with recluse's formula AKA: 45-45-10
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=67654

[daddyseal]

You probably will not find a .365" sizer do send your .363" to one of the members here to have it enlarged. Think Buckshot can do this.

I have seen Mak bores as large as .367" so you should slug your bore first.
Please tell me the members who could do that?

[xringshutr]

What JonB in Glencoe said!! I cast them in the little Lee mold as well. I use the Lee dies too. Trim the 9x19 Lugers to 18mm, run them through the sizer, expander, load with 4.0 gr of Power Pistol and the little 95 gr RN. SLIGHT taper crimp. Load, shoot and enjoy!! No leading whatsoever in my CZ 82 and shoots lights out. As in less than 2" at 15-20 yds if I do my part. : )

[Wayne Smith]

Daddyseal, PM Buckshot. He'll make you what ever size you need and at a good price. I have several he's made me, both Lee type and for Lyman/RCBS.

[9.3X62AL]

'Way back when.....about 1991-92 when I first got my Makarov pistol, there were very few components available. "Seen that film" with the 32 revolvers, so I bought a limited-production RCBS 100 grain RN mould--RCBS die set--and had RCBS make me a sizing die @ .365" after determining my grooves in the pistol were a fat .363"/skinny .364". Trimmed 9mm cases to .705", expanded them in the RCBS expander/flaring die, and loaded ammo with 380 ACP data + 10%. 20 years, and no mushroom clouds or blast craters yet.

[JIMinPHX]

The 9x18 Mak guns are famous for having actual bore diameters that vary all over the place. Slugging the bore is generally a good idea with most guns. With a Mak, it's just about mandatory.

I've had good luck with Lee customer service over the years. Any time that I had a problem, they always made things right & did it quickly.

I haven't used converted 9x19 brass in a Mak. I always bought star-line brand boxer brass from Midway or else picked up 9x18 S&B brand boxer brass at the range.

I had Lee make me a "custom size" push through sizer for the Mak. It was spot on the diameter that I had requested, but with the alloy that I used, the boolits had a little spring back in them & came out about .001" bigger than the bore of the die actually measured. This turned out to not be a problem. The finished boolits worked just fine. That little gun picks off golf balls at 10 paces all day long.

As was already suggested, you can contact Buckshot to have a sizing die custom altered if need be. He has a spectacular reputation for always doing top shelf work.

[loadmak]

I checked some fired cases that were not resized yet. They were in the .388 to .390 range. After running five of them through the sizing die, they all came out .383.

I shoot all converted Luger cases. If a converted Luger case hasn't been fired yet, the FL size measurement will be off. You'll get this look )_( . That's a little exaggerated, but hopefully that makes sense.

[GSCSA]

I run 9mm Luger cases throuh the Lee sizer first and then trim them. I use the Lee mold. I've only shot about 400 of them through my CZ82. No leading and good accuracy. Buckshot made me a 365 push through sizer. works gereat.