unburned powder in 9 MAK?

[supergoat343]

I have recently started reloading 9X18 MAK for my CZ 82. I use trimmed down 9 parabellum cases, with 3.6 grains of Hogdon 38 capped with 96 grain sierra bullets. Though these loads have decent accuracy and feed and eject reliably, I am constantly hit with debris as I shoot. I assume this is unburned powder or powder residue, though it does not occur while using factory loads.I have used only a very light crimp so far, and guessed that pressures were to light to cause complete burn of all the powder in the case. Has anyone else experience similar problems with other auto hand loads? If so, does anyone have a solution?
Thanks

 

[918v]

Try Bullseye.

 

[joneb]

Try 3.8gr

I've had very good results for 9x18 Mak in a E.G. PM with 93gr cast LRN using W-231, Bullseye and even AA#5. I load #5 at the high end, Bullseye works well at the low to medium-high end, W-231 worked well at the medium to medium-higher end for me.

 

[Steve C]

Powder residue usually doesn't come back at you unless there's something sending it back at you. Are you shooting outdoors into the wind. Do you have anything that may be deflecting the residue back at you. Hard range dividers or a target set close could be doing this. If you don't notice it with factory perhaps it could be that you haven't shot factory loads in the same environment. Next time take some factory with you for comparison to see if its just your hand loads.

 

[joneb]

Are these Sierra bullets .363" diameter ? Speer jacketed 9x18 Mak are .364 and Hornady are .365". Maybe not enough case tension on the bullet, what does your expander plug measure ?

I have a mil-surp PM made in 1961 I installed a new main spring and a 19# Wolff recoil spring which improved the function and reliability of the gun.

I forgot to ask about the COL of your loads, could they be shortened ? How much of the bullets driving band protrudes for the case mouth ?