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Just curious about who here is reloading for 9x18 and if they are also loading a defensive bullet and what powder?

I carry a p-64 and would like a good defensive load for it so would like to see what others are using for defense loads.

Just doing a memory refresh. Isn't a 9X18 a Makarov?

I reload 9x18. I have a workup for my first set, and just haven't gotten around to testing them yet. Lack of brass is another issue, as the PA-63 ejects cases quite a distance. My new range has no silly rules on brass collection, though, so once I get around to shooting some of my precious brass-cased factory ammo, I'll have some fodder for reloading. I'm also considering ordering some new Starline brass from Midway to get me started.

For defensive ammo, I'd recommend Hornady XTP. It feeds very well in my PA-63, when other hollow points make it a jammomatic.

DubiousDan: where did you get Gold Dot bullets in .365? I'm not aware that Speer makes any in that size. If you're using bullets intended for 9x19 or .380, I would recommend against that. The diameter is significantly different (9x18 is 9.2mm instead of 9mm) That's .365 vs. .354. It seems that your chamber may not seat or seal properly at the rim, which can result in bad things happening.

DubiousDan wrote:

NcongruNt wrote: DubiousDan: where did you get Gold Dot bullets in .365? I'm not aware that Speer makes any in that size. If you're using bullets intended for 9x19 or .380, I would recommend against that. The diameter is significantly different (9x18 is 9.2mm instead of 9mm) That's .365 vs. .354. It seems that your chamber may not seat or seal properly at the rim, which can result in bad things happening.

I got them at a local range and there's no telling how long they sat on the shelf. They're labeled Speer UNI-COR Gold Dot 9mm Makarov 90gr .364" hollow point. They must have discontinued them. I guess I'll have to try the XTPs next.

Wow. I knew that Speer made them at one point, but they discontinued them a very long time ago. They started making them just as the surplus 9x18 guns started hitting the market in the 90s, but it was short-lived from what I have read - probably because there wasn't enough demand for their business model. I bet that box of bullets is over 10 years old.

There are still some online stores that show the bullets available, but I bet that is some pretty old stock, due to the small number of people who reload 9x18. I checked the Speer site in the Web Archive and found 9x18 bullets listed in early 2000, but they were removed from the price list sometime after March of that year.

Give the XTP bullets a try. They're readily available and feed very well. I've found them to be very accurate and consistent out of my PA-63. XTP rounds are what I keep in mine for defensive purposes. For my range plinking ammo, I am using Berry's plated 95grn round-nose. They're only $84.10 per thousand (and free shipping!), making them quite economical for range loads. I've used their bullets for .380 and 9x19, and have been quite happy with their performance.

DubiousDan wrote:

NcongruNt wrote:
Wow. I knew that Speer made them at one point, but they discontinued them a very long time ago. They started making them just as the surplus 9x18 guns started hitting the market in the 90s, but it was short-lived from what I have read - probably because there wasn't enough demand for their business model. I bet that box of bullets is over 10 years old.

Give the XTP bullets a try. They're readily available and feed very well. I've found them to be very accurate and consistent out of my PA-63. XTP rounds are what I keep in mine for defensive purposes. For my range plinking ammo, I am using Berry's plated 95grn round-nose. They're only $84.10 per thousand (and free shipping!), making them quite economical for range loads. I've used their bullets for .380 and 9x19, and have been quite happy with their performance.

I recall seeing an ad in the early to mid 90s for Speer Gold Dots for the 9mm mak (loaded ammo) and trying to find some at the local gun stores without any luck. I cast for most of the handguns I load for but not the mak and I probably won't. As it is for me it's not worth the effort to make the cases from 9mm compared to the cost of Monarch ammo to get plinking rounds. It would be different if range brass was readily available. It would be worth it for some JHP rounds though.

What load are you using with the XTPs?

I haven't loaded any up yet myself, just factory ammo. I'm too lean on cases to do another workup until after I shoot some of what I have and collect the brass.

loaded up some SD 9x18 mak ammo saturday at srva's and it shot great and very accurate.

1. Hornady 95gr XTP jhp
2. starline new brass 9x18
3. cci small pistol primer
4. 3.2gr of titegroup powder

shot very good and with less of the snappiness generally associated with the polish p-64 that I carry concealed.

the 9x18 that I reload will only be self defense loads.
plinking ammo is far to cheap at academy to reload for.
I am paying just under $10 for a box of monarch steelcase.

due to hurting elbow I haven't really shot much of anything other than the loads I did up at srva's and 22lr only.