Wadcutter in 9mm Steyr

[lebl468]

Hey all, I have a model 1911 Steyr, (nothing like a Government Model) chambered in 9mm Steyr (9x23mm). Groove diameter is .365", so I have a hard time keeping standard 9mm (.356") slugs on target. What I thought of trying is some 150gr hollowbase wadcutters (.358) for more bearing surface and the hollow skirt to "bump up" a bit. Any ideas on a starting load of titegroup? Most books say to use starting loads for 9mm Para. I have made dummy rounds to check for funtionability, so that will not be an issue.

[HeavyMetal]

You might try a mold for the 9x18 Makarov as these are also .365.

Lee makes a 2 cavity RNL that shouldn't be to expensive part number 90466.

Think I'd go this route before I tried HBWC's. Lots of powder room in the 9x23 and I be afraid I'd shed "skirts" if I tried to push a HB boolit to fast!

[jdgabbard]

What he said. Get a Makarov mold and measure the dropped boolits. Then you might have to lap the mold to open it up a bit. But afterwards I bet it works great for you.

[lebl468]

I considered the Makarov mould, but I have like 5000 of these wadcutters. I started experimenting with Titegroup, starting at 2.0 gr working up 0.1 gr at a time. Checked the bore for ripped skirts after each shot and had very good results. 15 yards, POA=POI, and the cycling at around 2.8 gr was optimal and reliable. Overall I am satisfied, had a little leading though, not much, took about 10 min to clean.

[9.3X62AL]

Take a look at www.neihandtools.com or www.mountainmolds.com for possible resolutions to your need for a spec-built boolit to service your Steyr pistol. Both companies have built very good tools for me over the past few years.

Barnes' "Cartridges of the World" shows the caliber driving a 115-116 grain bullet at 1200 FPS, so it is every bit as powerful as the 9mm Luger in some of its European loadings. For comparison's sake, the Winchester White Box with 115 grain FMJs barely beat 1100 FPS from my 9mm pistols. So, the 9mm Steyr is no powder-puff.

Barnes referred to the Steyr Austrian service pistol as a Model 1912. Izzat one and the same as your pistol, or a superceding variant?

[lebl468]

I have heard them refered to as 1912's, if that is an actual different model, I don't know. Mine's stamped "MOD 1911" on the slide. It's ugly a sin, but a good shooter.

[9.3X62AL]

It's ugly a sin, but a good shooter.

The same thing has been said about Glocks, but ugly is as ugly does in both cases.

Some web searching showed the 1911 and 1912 to be VERY similar, just a front sight variation between them.