Loading the 9x18mm w/ Luger brass

Discussion on reloading the 9x18 and any other cartridge
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juniustaylor
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Loading the 9x18mm w/ Luger brass

Post by juniustaylor »

I hope I don't sound stupid asking this question. I know the entire process for making 9mm Luger brass work for 9x18mm. This is my question...

Will the mouth expanding and fire-forming degrade the brass substantially? Is it possible to get at least 5 uses out of the brass? That's really all I'm looking for anyway.

I also read that when using the 9mm Luger brass on the first go around you should decrease the powder charge due to the decreased internal volume of the Luger brass. All subsequent loadings will be normal Mak powder charge. Is that true?

Thanks fellers.
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Re: Loading the 9x18mm w/ Luger brass

Post by normsutton »

juniustaylor wrote:Will the mouth expanding and fire-forming degrade the brass substantially? Is it possible to get at least 5 uses out of the brass? That's really all I'm looking for anyway.


JUN
what screws up brass is fast burning powder and max loads , if you can find them and they are not in the next zip code , you can get that many and more,

juniustaylor wrote: I also read that when using the 9mm Luger brass on the first go around you should decrease the powder charge due to the decreased internal volume of the Luger brass. All subsequent loadings will be normal Mak powder charge. Is that true?

Thanks fellers.

JUN
this not true just don't load with max loads , I don't use bullseye powder ( its to harsh on the cases), use something like Unique or W 231 ,
I load with these powders 4 grns no more no less
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Re: Loading the 9x18mm w/ Luger brass

Post by juniustaylor »

Thanks for the reply Norm. I typically don't go for the max loads and stay around the mid-range. I'm sure that can be said of the 9mm Mak when I get to loading it. I plan on using Unique as I have that readily available. I've never messed with W231. Power Pistol would probably be too much for 9mm Mak, haha. I hadn't seen these questions asked on here and figured I'd like to hear some answers to them and I think others in years to come may find this valuable as well.

Again, thanks for the reply.
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Re: Loading the 9x18mm w/ Luger brass

Post by forcefed »

Norm helped me out before I started reloading. He has given me very good advice on starting out loading up for 9x18

I dont know what you have been shooting for commercial ammo but with 4grs of Unique... well you will see. There is most certainly a bit of a difference from commercial ammo to reloads :twisted:
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Re: Loading the 9x18mm w/ Luger brass

Post by normsutton »

forcefed

I have some commercial ammo , haven't shoot it for years, 4 grns of Unique should be a med . load

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Re: Loading the 9x18mm w/ Luger brass

Post by forcefed »

What I was trying to say was that the 4grn Unique load has a bit more recoil than some of the commercial stuff I have been shooting...
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Re: Loading the 9x18mm w/ Luger brass

Post by normsutton »

forcefed

it depends on what reloading manual you use the Lyman manual
says its a med load, I have so much of W 231 that's what I use, and like I said haven't shot any factory loads for years

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Re: Loading the 9x18mm w/ Luger brass

Post by daven »

Why go through the hassle of 9 x 19 to 9 x 18 when Starline sell the brass for 9 x 18 Mak? Have around a 1000 cases purchased direct from Starline (they cover shipping costs) and they do not wear out. Daven
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Re: Loading the 9x18mm w/ Luger brass

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daven

because 9 x 19 is free as range pickups

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Re: Loading the 9x18mm w/ Luger brass

Post by juniustaylor »

I've considered it, but I don't have $125 to drop on 1000 cases that are backordered until the middle of October. I don't trust Starline's estimates either. I called them around March of this year to inquire when they would have .38 S&W brass available. The gal said the end of June. Here it is almost the end of July and their website now shows it's backordered until the end of August. Good thing I didn't wait for them and bought 350 cases on Gunbroker (Winchester brass). So, I don't trust their estimates on date of availability. Midway has Starline brass for 100 cases $18. A bit steep, I may consider it. However, I think I'll take my chances with the 9mm Luger brass. I've got 200 Federal once fired brass cases. I'll size them with the Mak dies, trim them, and load them. They were free, so why not. I'll just chuck my Lee case length gage setup in a drill and trim them down. Thanks for the reply daven.
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Re: Loading the 9x18mm w/ Luger brass

Post by JAGGUY »

I use a Lee case gage and cutter in a drill. Takes some time but my time is real cheap when I work for myself ;-}
I usually do 20 or so and then go off and do something else then repeat. No big deal really and after a while I have a pile of them.
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Re: Loading the 9x18mm w/ Luger brass

Post by fish »

Starline seems to be perpetually behind on brass production. I had been trying to get 32-20 cases for my 1895 Nagant revolver for what seems like forever, gave up and bought Remington 32-20 cases instead. When I finally got my hands on some Starline 32-20 cases it turns out the Remington cases worked better for me...go figure.

The 9mm Luger to 9x18 Makarov case conversion has worked really well for me. I use the Lee case trimmer in an electric drill and it gets the job done. I invested the $5 in the Lee cutter with the big wood ball grip which makes life much easier. Sure a Lyman case trimmer lathe would be nice but for the coin the Lee stuff works well. I haven't even had to modify the Lee Makarov case trimmer pilot. The key to the Luger to Makarov case conversion is to start with once-fired Luger brass. Do not size the brass in a Luger die. First step is to flare the case mouth in the Makarov flaring die, FL size and deprime in the Mak sizing die, then trim the case. Works like a champ.

Case volume is *supposedly* slightly smaller in the Luger converted brass, so work up to max loads carefully. That is the only caveat with the conversion.
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Re: Loading the 9x18mm w/ Luger brass

Post by daven »

Well, I guess I was lucky when I ordered them a few years ago. I also have the 32-20 for the Nagant. The reason for the Remington sometimes working in the Nagant rather than Starline is that the rims are often a few thousands thinner and each Nagant can be picky. My regular 1895 works well with Starline, the Target model does not. 3 thous difference makes it jam.

The S&W 38 cases I have had for over 10 years from Starline. Special order originally, then they became an item of commerce as I have S&Ws, Webleys and Enfields that I reload this round for. In fact, just picked up a very nice S&W Victory that had been FTR'd in Australia in 1952 for a song.

When I finally retire I might have to go the "range route" but as long as Uncle Sam still pays me (no retirement age in the US Gov't if not an LEO) then it is cheaper for me to purchase rather than make. Daven
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Re: Loading the 9x18mm w/ Luger brass

Post by surfzombie »

normsutton wrote:forcefed

I have some commercial ammo , haven't shoot it for years, 4 grns of Unique should be a med . load

NORM
What size of bullet? 93gr LRN? I have a bunch of 93gr LRN and have been using bullseye and AA#5
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Re: Loading the 9x18mm w/ Luger brass

Post by normsutton »

surfzombie

its a 100.9 grn RN lee mould its suppose to weigh 95 grns but not with my lead sized to .363 lube with carnauba red

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