Czechmate 9mm Major short OAL

[Fred63]

New to forum, long time lurker.

Down in Australia, at least locally, 9 major seems to be where you guys were 6-7 years ago- Shock Horror! You can't do that it's not in the book. Let me say you should all be proud of the resource you have created and made available to people all over the world.

My question has to do with the notoriously short throat in CZs.

I haven't gone far yet but started with ADI AP100 (not a lot of choices here) and with 5.8gr velocity at 1180 is above published for max of 6.2grn, primers starting to flatten slightly.

I now have couple pounds WAC and would prefer to stay with this.

In my Czechmate using coated 125 LCN my OAL is 1.110 and as this is on the short side I would like some advice on a safe but realistic starting load. I will be chronographing every step but still concerned about pressure loading short.

[thompsoncustom]

You can do it with a short throat but I won't, just buy a throat reamer or have a smith lengthen it for you and save yourself the headache.

[dansedgli]

Here's some Australian Data. Not sure of length but he didn't mention throating his gun.

9mm 125gn CN coated lead, AP100, Rem SRP's, shot out of a Czechmate

7.3gn - Avg 1291 FPS, 161PF
7.4gn - Avg 1314 FPS, 164PF
7.5gn - Avg 1322 FPS, 165PF


9mm 125gn CN coated lead, 3N38, Rem SRP's, shot out of a Czechmate

7.3gn - Avg 1191 FPS, 148PF
7.5gn - Avg 1227 FPS, 153PF
7.6gn - Avg 1235 FPS, 154PF
7.7gn - Avg 1245 FPS, 155PF

[kneelingatlas]

With WAC I would start in the 5.5-6gr range and work my way up, you'll probably make major just shy of 7gr.

[NoSteel]

I run a a 125gr Coated LRN at 6.9gr of auto comp to make major power factor with an OAL of 1.15 after reaming the barrel throat lightly. If you can, throating is your best option (finish reamer) and very simple to do yourself. As a second option I ran 115gr Jacketed at 7.6 to make major. No room for bullet set back with a load as short as you want to run though with 125gr.....

Edited June 17, 2016 by NoSteel

[Fred63]

Thanks for your input.

Cost of throat ream here is about $250.00 and as I would want to keep my SO-01 orange at same OAL $500.00 and a lot of hassle here(very few smiths,paperwork to have your gun,or even part of it in another's possession etc) if I go that route I will probably order a reamer from States and pay $80 to have it posted.

I will try with what I have on hand and see how far I get.

Just wanted a bit of reassurance to start in a safe place. It's better not to make a mistake than to try to undo one.

[kneelingatlas]

I've reamed the throat turning a drill bit by hand wrapped in electrical tape so it stays centered and doesn't dig in.

[Ck867]

You'll definitely save a lot of time and headache if you ream the barrel. It will also reduce the risk of rounds chambering if they are a tad too long.

[Tino2212]

Have you already measured what COLyour barrel accepts , a buddy of mine has a new Czechmate and my reloads with COL of 1.165 work great in his gun .

[NoSteel]

Bullet profile is the big contributor here. Seat a bullet loosely in an uncharged piece of brass and push into the chamber by had. Pull it out and measure it.. Load to just under that, or ream the barrel.. Where are you located? May be cheaper for me to mail you my reamer for you use and you could ship back when done.

[CZ85Combat]

I reamed the barrel of my Czechmate +0.050"(1.27mm) With WAC & 125gn hi-tec bullet 6.7gn @ 1.140"(28.95mm) = 169pf

[Fred63]

Thanks for the offer NoSteel but I'm in Australia and with the cost of reasonably speedy mail it will be cheaper to buy from the States and only ship one way, you see down here anything related to guns, particularly handguns is quite rare and difficult. Think of Lamborghini service centres and you will have about the right idea- they do exist but probably not in your town.

Tino2212 I have read all posts extensively and have correctly gauged OAL, length for 135 LRN is1.130 which again is shorter than published data but as I only use these in mid power for production load light and no issues. I can't find any sample packs of projectiles it's 1000 or nothing.

I may possibly have access to Berrys 124 plated , when occasionally in stock,at half as expensive again was hoping to keep cost down to allow more shooting.

With that in mind if anyone can advise which Berrys profile loads shortest would be appreciated.

[CZ85Combat]

You want to use 115gn or 125gn bullets, 135 is too heavy for major pf. you don't want to use any bullet with an exposed lead base. The lead will fill your comp and it does not come out easily.

[Fred63]

IPSC so 160pf 120grn min weight, I use 135 for production at 135pf.

I assume a lot of people use coated projectiles at speed for major from reading the forum and have no issues with leading.

[thompsoncustom]

CZ85Combat

Posted Today, 01:07 PM

I reamed the barrel of my Czechmate +0.050"(1.27mm) With WAC & 125gn hi-tec bullet 6.7gn @ 1.140"(28.95mm) = 169pf

Interesting, using my sp-01 shadow (threaded barrel) and a 125gr powdercoated bullet I can make major with 6.0gr @ 1.140 of WAC.

[CZ85Combat]

I use coated bullets in my Czechmate.

[thompsoncustom]

I seen your using hi tek which is different from powdercoat but i cant see that making any difference in the PF/velocity where getting.

[Garmil]

Running that short I'd start at 5.0 or so autocomp and work up I bet you'll end up under 6.

Edited June 18, 2016 by Garmil

[Fred63]

Just loaded some 5.4, 5.6, 5.8, 6.0, 6.2 and will try tomorrow weather permitting.

Concerned if I do reach major at 6grn what sort of pressures would I have? If it was that easy everyone would be loading short with less powder.

[Garmil]

I was playing around with a similar load today. 1.13 not as short but shorter than most. Ran out of time but got up to 5.8 and was a 161 pf average.

[Fred63]

Sounds promising, how were the primers ?

[Garmil]

Nice and round still with no cratering looked perfect.