| Posted: Mon Mar 23rd, 2009 02:21 AM |
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Tombstone
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Can anyone tell me for sure that 9mm Luger caes can be used for 9mm Maks? I seem to remember reading somewhere that the cases can be resized in the Mak dies and then trimmed to use. Is that correct? Also, should they be tirmmed before or after sixing if this can be done. I'm asking because I have about 8000 9mm Luger cases and would like to use some of them for my Maks.
Also, since I am going to be needing Mak dies, what would you all recommend? I'll be loading on my Dillon 650. Most of my current dies are Dillon or RCBS but I'm open to sugggestions for other dies.
Thanks for any input.
Last edited on Mon Mar 23rd, 2009 02:44 AM by Tombstone
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| Posted: Mon Mar 23rd, 2009 03:14 AM |
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Box13
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I have made many 100s of mak cases out of 9mm cases.I have tries several different methods but this works the best for me...
1.Look through your cases to see if you have any with nondescript headstamps anything with no mention of "9mm" there are lots of mil brass with only a letter/number marking.This will help keep your 9s separate from your maks.
2. Size with the mak die dont use 9mm dies on your mak brass as it is just too small.You might find you cannot size much depending on what gun the 9s were shot in.9mms vary widely as to the actual chamber size.You will probably have to fire the cases once before sizing will be normal.
3.Now deburr and chamfer the cases as needed...some brass is a little thick at this point since it was trimmed 1mm.
4.Expand the neck...since the case is still a little small and there is a little springback your bullets will be tight the first time.
5.charge like normal...makarov.com has data so does hodgdon online...
6.Seat your bullets.Like I said they will be tight the first time but after shooting once the cases will size and work just fine.You will have to fiddle with case length depending what bullet you use.I do a seperate seat and crinp stage so its easy to get the col correct for feeding.Work a few through the clip and into the chamber to get it right.If you can,use jacketed bullets the first time and use a taper crimp die.Lees 9mm mak die set has a taper crimp.I dont know what other mfgs have.I do know that the first dies rcbs made were too small and caused problems.They will fix it for you but just something to look for if you get a used set.
I have had fair accuracy for the first firing but quite good accuracy after that.If you cant find nondescript headstamp brass just paint them to keep them separate from your 9mms....
I dont know about loading on a dillon I have enough trouble loading those little bullets in a single stage press with fat fingers...
If you get stuck just ask...
I might have some cast 9mm mak swc bullets to trade if you really get into it...Good luck...Robin
Last edited on Mon Mar 23rd, 2009 03:24 AM by Box13
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| Posted: Mon Mar 23rd, 2009 11:25 AM |
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Charley
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I"ve made a few hundred, mostly to see if I could, and to make sure I would have a continuous supply just in case...
I just ran 9x19 brass into a 9x18 sizer, then trimmed to length with a Lee cutter mounted on a drill press. Works fine, not to tough.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 26th, 2009 03:43 PM |
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Sprue
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I've maybe bought a couple boxes of 9x18 factory ammo ...ever.
It takes a little elbow grease to trim the cases but I've shot lots and lots of them over the years.
9mm Brass is so cheap easy to come by.... theres no other way for me. I also use a net to catch/knock-down the brass. I do however, enjoy making my own things, when possible.
I do like RCBS dies but I do use a Lee Factory Crimp Die in the 4th hole of the 550. I crimp and seat in two stages.
Good LuckLast edited on Thu Mar 26th, 2009 03:48 PM by Sprue
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| Posted: Fri Mar 27th, 2009 06:35 PM |
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AndyUK
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Tombstone,
It's now about fifteen years ago that I did this. At that time I could not get 9mm Makarov ammo at sensible prices and I had plenty of para. cases available. it was a bit of a pain to start with (trimming / prepping the cases) but fine thereafter. Incidentally, I loaded using a Dillon 450. Absolutely no problems, as explained by Box13. Just remember to be careful with cases - if you shoot at a range and pick up 9mm Para brass, thinking it is your converted cases you'll need to carefully inspect prior to reloading again. I got round the problem by putting a dab of coloured nail varnish on the case head - NO it wasn't MY nail varnish!
Andy
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| Posted: Fri Mar 27th, 2009 09:04 PM |
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Charley
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I take all the suspect cases and stand them up on a flat surface. The converted (short) cases are easy to see if you look at an angle.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 27th, 2009 09:53 PM |
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Sprue
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Charley wrote:
I take all the suspect cases and stand them up on a flat surface. The converted (short) cases are easy to see if you look at an angle.
I thought I would be the only one to do that. I use my table saw as an extra table. I have a piece of smooth paneling on it as a cover. Anyway I have a buttbox (stool) that I sit on once I have all my brass standing up. It puts me nearly eye level. Yep, the different sizes of brass are easy to see.
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| Posted: Sat Mar 28th, 2009 04:45 PM |
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SCSlim
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I shoot my Mak on an indoor range in the winter. With half a dozen other shooters firing away at the same time, and with my Mak throwing brass from one end of the line to the other, I've gotten pretty good at spotting them pretty quick amongst the 9x19s and .380s that litter the concrete floor. To me, 9mm Mak brass has a look all its own - shorter and squattier than a 9x19, and beefier than a .380. Once in great while some 9x19 shooter will inquire as to whether I'm picking up his brass - I just show him the difference and that's that.
Wouldn't have been able to shoot my East German Mak very much in the first couple years I owned it without the ability to convert 9x19s to 9x18. Back then, Berdan primers were fairly easy to come by, so I did reload some of the foreign milsurp brass I had, but converting 9x19s was on balance much easier and not nearly as messy. Converting 9x19s was the sole reason I bought my RCBS rotary trimmer, although I've since bought all the collets and pilots to size all the other cases that I load.
These days I use the converted brass for shooting in the field, where I might loose a few, and save the 9x18 headstamped stuff for range shooting. I just converted 100 rounds of 9x19 a couple weeks ago and loaded it with Hornady JHPs for small game hunting and water jug busting out in the desert. Took less than an hour to convert them all.
Last edited on Sat Mar 28th, 2009 04:50 PM by SCSlim
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| Posted: Sun Apr 5th, 2009 05:01 PM |
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Tombstone
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Thanks for all the input folks.
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