Reloading the 9x18 Makarov Cartridge - Load Data for HS6 powder


Bullet Type Liberty Shooting supply 90 gr lead round nose
Case mixed once-fired 9x19
Primer Winchester WSP
Cartridge Overall Length 25.0 mm

Powder Charge (gr) MV (ft/s) Std Dev (ft/s) ME (ft-lbs) Comments
6.5 not measured N/A N/A 9.2 x19 (9.2x19) Wildcat cartridge

General Comments:
This load was adapted from the fairly hot 6.4 gr HS6 LRN load and adapted to 9.2 x19. I did not gather any muzzle velocity information since the point of this trial was just to see how it would fire and feed. Out of 30 rounds fired, every one fed and ejected perfectly.

The test gun was a Russian Makarov with stock recoil spring, Federal extended threaded 9x18M barrel reamed out to accept 9.2 x19 (9.2x19 - 9x19 brass with Makarov .364" bullets), and a Nolan slide with custom front and rear sights. The brass was flying in excess of 30 feet, so it's probably time to switch to a 21# recoil spring for these types of loads. The cartridges barely fit into the magazine length-wise, so 25.0 mm is probably a bit too long.

I checked some of the spent cases (that I could find in the bushes) and of the 6 or so I recovered, I did find one with a split (see picture below). Considering that the brass had to be expanded to fit the bigger bullet and thus spread thinner, I'm not surprised. Also, I'm working on the edge of acceptable loads for the Makarov. I imagine those suckers were coming out at a good 1200 ft/s; can't wait to see the leading in the barrel.

9.2 x19 split case


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