9x18 MAK

bjmanersr · April 20, 2006, 08:03 PM

Has anyone loaded this.I've got a million questions but if I could find some info it would probably do ok.I finally broke down and ordered a FEG PA63 from J&G,Its only 140.00 plus 50 or so misc.and looks nearly like new.
Thanks

joab · April 20, 2006, 08:15 PM

No reload recommendations but go to Makarov.com and get the spring kit to fix the trigger

joneb · April 20, 2006, 09:27 PM

The loads for the FEG and the Mak may be different, be careful . The PM is over built and with a 21 LBS recoil spring, it can eat hot 9x18 loads . Not so with other firearms chambered for the 9x18.

**Unclenick** · April 20, 2006, 10:31 PM

Good point. If you go to Makarov.com, you will find load recommendations there, but watch out for what Jibjab said.

Nick

Wrangler5 · April 21, 2006, 01:13 AM

I load for the Mak. I use mostly Accurate powders, and the Accurate Data Book has loading data. Only problem is finding cheap bullets and reloadable cases. I've bought empty Starline cases, and have bought S&B and Winchester ammo (both made by S&B) and collected the empties. It's a bit of a pain, as the empties really fly out of the gun and take some looking to find.

For bullets I mostly end up using hard cast lead 93 grainers and load for soft shooting. (I carry a Mak loaded with either Hornady XTPs or, preferably, Silver Bear JHPs.) I worked down to a lead plinking load that is so gentle the cases only eject about a foot out of the gun (Russian hardball cases end up about 20 feet away.) I can shoot those light loads all day with no discomfort whatever. I have also bought XTP bullets, and duplicated the commercial Hornady loads to practice with.

I always find it particularly satisfying to use my own ammo at a range session. But I'll second jibjab's thought, too - don't try to go overboard with the loads.

sterno · April 21, 2006, 09:03 AM

Which Accurate powder specifically do you use? I'm just starting to load for the Mak as well, but I've got a PM not an FEG.

Leftoverdj · April 21, 2006, 09:26 AM

I load .380. not 9mm Mak, but the two cartridges are so similar that .380 data will work for the Mak while giving slightly lower pressure. Both AA-2 and AA-5 are suitable. The Mak has a little more powder capacity and a slightly larger bore, which work to lower pressures, but both cartridges use bullets of similar weights at similar velocities. You'd need Mak specific date for max loads, but not for plinkers.

I'm also a bullet caster, and both cartridges are made to order for cast bullets. There is no real need for jacketed bullets at these pressure levels. A Lee double cavity mould is about the price of 100 jacketed bullets and will give a lifetime supply.

bjmanersr · April 21, 2006, 08:22 PM

That helps!

Wrangler5 · April 21, 2006, 11:48 PM

For my 93g lead plinkers I use ~4.6g #5, and get ~800 fps out of my Mak over my chrono. This cycles my gun reliably with a 21# recoil spring. For the XTP bullet I use ~6.5g #7, which gives ~950fps, and just about duplicates the Hornady commercial load which I clocked at ~920fps.

These are NOT particularly hot loads for the Mak round, giving ~130 and ~190 ft lbs of energy, respectively. I clocked the Wolf 100g round at ~990 fps (218 ft lbs), and the Brown Bear 92g and Barnaul 95g FMJs at a ~1000fps (211 ft lbs.) The Silver Bear 115g JHP also came in right at 1000fps for 255 ft lbs of energy. Now THAT's a stout load for the Mak.

I'd guess that the Brown Bear and Barnaul loads are what would be considered "military standard" for the Mak, and so that level of load probably would not overstress your PA63.

joneb · April 24, 2006, 02:25 AM

I hav'nt tried it yet but Alliant's "power pistol" looks promising.

April 20, 2006, 08:03 PM	#1
bjmanersr Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2005 Location: Tennessee by way of AL. Posts: 161	9x18 MAK Has anyone loaded this.I've got a million questions but if I could find some info it would probably do ok.I finally broke down and ordered a FEG PA63 from J&G,Its only 140.00 plus 50 or so misc.and looks nearly like new. Thanks __________________ B J Maner sr

April 20, 2006, 08:15 PM	#2
joab Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2002 Location: Orl Fla Posts: 3,254	No reload recommendations but go to Makarov.com and get the spring kit to fix the trigger __________________ Joab the Bugman Founding member- Lords of Pomposity It's a Yankee Doodle thing Last edited by joab; April 20, 2006 at 09:27 PM.

April 20, 2006, 10:31 PM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Good point. If you go to Makarov.com, you will find load recommendations there, but watch out for what Jibjab said. Nick __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

April 21, 2006, 09:03 AM	#6
sterno Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2005 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 362	Which Accurate powder specifically do you use? I'm just starting to load for the Mak as well, but I've got a PM not an FEG. __________________ .38, .39; whatever it took. Sterno's Myspace - Grayskull Myspace

April 21, 2006, 08:22 PM	#8
bjmanersr Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2005 Location: Tennessee by way of AL. Posts: 161	Thanks guys That helps! __________________ B J Maner sr

April 20, 2006, 09:27 PM	#3
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	The loads for the FEG and the Mak may be different, be careful . The PM is over built and with a 21 LBS recoil spring, it can eat hot 9x18 loads . Not so with other firearms chambered for the 9x18.

April 21, 2006, 01:13 AM	#5
Wrangler5 Senior Member Join Date: September 18, 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 326	I load for the Mak. I use mostly Accurate powders, and the Accurate Data Book has loading data. Only problem is finding cheap bullets and reloadable cases. I've bought empty Starline cases, and have bought S&B and Winchester ammo (both made by S&B) and collected the empties. It's a bit of a pain, as the empties really fly out of the gun and take some looking to find. For bullets I mostly end up using hard cast lead 93 grainers and load for soft shooting. (I carry a Mak loaded with either Hornady XTPs or, preferably, Silver Bear JHPs.) I worked down to a lead plinking load that is so gentle the cases only eject about a foot out of the gun (Russian hardball cases end up about 20 feet away.) I can shoot those light loads all day with no discomfort whatever. I have also bought XTP bullets, and duplicated the commercial Hornady loads to practice with. I always find it particularly satisfying to use my own ammo at a range session. But I'll second jibjab's thought, too - don't try to go overboard with the loads.

April 21, 2006, 09:26 AM	#7
Leftoverdj Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2004 Posts: 934	I load .380. not 9mm Mak, but the two cartridges are so similar that .380 data will work for the Mak while giving slightly lower pressure. Both AA-2 and AA-5 are suitable. The Mak has a little more powder capacity and a slightly larger bore, which work to lower pressures, but both cartridges use bullets of similar weights at similar velocities. You'd need Mak specific date for max loads, but not for plinkers. I'm also a bullet caster, and both cartridges are made to order for cast bullets. There is no real need for jacketed bullets at these pressure levels. A Lee double cavity mould is about the price of 100 jacketed bullets and will give a lifetime supply.

April 21, 2006, 11:48 PM	#9
Wrangler5 Senior Member Join Date: September 18, 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 326	For my 93g lead plinkers I use ~4.6g #5, and get ~800 fps out of my Mak over my chrono. This cycles my gun reliably with a 21# recoil spring. For the XTP bullet I use ~6.5g #7, which gives ~950fps, and just about duplicates the Hornady commercial load which I clocked at ~920fps. These are NOT particularly hot loads for the Mak round, giving ~130 and ~190 ft lbs of energy, respectively. I clocked the Wolf 100g round at ~990 fps (218 ft lbs), and the Brown Bear 92g and Barnaul 95g FMJs at a ~1000fps (211 ft lbs.) The Silver Bear 115g JHP also came in right at 1000fps for 255 ft lbs of energy. Now THAT's a stout load for the Mak. I'd guess that the Brown Bear and Barnaul loads are what would be considered "military standard" for the Mak, and so that level of load probably would not overstress your PA63.

April 24, 2006, 02:25 AM	#10
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	I hav'nt tried it yet but Alliant's "power pistol" looks promising.