Reloading Advice Nagant 7.62 x 38

[BigDog58]

Hi all, my wife's uncle has a new "replica" 1895 Nagant in 7.62 x 38 and has asked me to possibly reload his used brass. The ammo is rather expensive, and as most of you know, I Love reloading

Anyway, I have done some online research and watched a fairly informative video on YouTube, specifically on the Nagant. They have been fairly informative and the best one even gives the part numbers for the Lee Dies to use.

I currently only have 50 empty cases and don't believe I want to convert cases unless I have to. He has about 9 or 10 more boxes of factory ammo and I will be getting that brass once it's shot.

Do any of you have experience loading this round? If so, are there any special tips or teqniches I should be aware of?

According to the videos they seem to use .311 projectiles ( which I will have to locate or ask a friend to cast for me, of he has the molds) but some mentioned a .309 which I've never seen for sale. From what little I could find, they talk about 71gr and a 90gr projectile. They also talk about using 32-20 cases, but I don't currently want to convert brass.

I DO want to maintain the Gas Seal of the gun if possible. I've seen were some people have used shortened cases and loaded the ammo with an exposed projectile, as opposed to the below flush round as it was designed for, but I want to stay with the original design if possible.


Thanks,

BD

[Seismic Sam]

Dude!! You be swimming in deep water with this one!!! I got nuthin'
Don't recall any manuals I got with data either, and I have almost ALL major manuals published since '71

[highwarden]

There is an interesting article on wikipedia about the 7.62 Nagant cartridge. According to their information, the bullet is a .295 diameter which is seated completely below the neck of the case which is then crimped. I could not find my Revolver Handbook so I can't verify the information. If it were me I would slug the barrel and mic the chambers to verify the needed size of bullet. In any case, a .309 bullet is 30 cal Luger and a .312 bullet is a 32 acp(7.65 Browning).

Good luck

[highwarden]

double tap

[highwarden]

Did a little checking. sgammo.com has new manufacture Prvi Partizan available for $23.95 for a 50 round box. With that available, it might be advisable to disassemble some factory rounds and measure the bullets from them.

[BigDog58]

Dang, I stumped Sam! There's a first...lol.

Thanks for all the help. The uncle still has some factory ammo left and I think I'll take the suggestion of disassembling a round and checking the diameter. It should at least let me know positively, what the actual bullet diameter is.

If you want to watch an interesting video about reloading for the Nagant, do a search for "Reloading Nagant 7.62 x 38" or just "Reloading Nagant" on Youtube. Some guys don't worry about the unique way it seals the gas and simply load it like a normal revolver round by cutting the case shorter and increasing the powder charge in an attempt to compensate for the lost gas seal. To me, this is NOT an option. I have no way of actually testing pressures, and blowing up a gun is NOT my idea of a "test" procedure!

Look in the description in the tutorial and the guy lists exact Lee part numbers for the dies he uses. He uses a 7.62x39 expander rod (deprimer) in conjunction with a pistol die. He cross utilizes dies and of memory serves me, he uses a 32-20 die as well (not 100% certain, I need to rewatch the video).

The ammo is quite fairly expensive and it took me a bit of searching to find him 300 rounds when he first bought the gun. If he wasn't such a great guy, I'd just tell him I'll keep finding him factory ammo. But, I like a challenge, and if I can't help someone I truly care about and can save him some money, why not reload at all.

Now, I have to go pick OldmanFCSA's brain and experience. If I stump him and Sam, I'm not certain I should tackle it all alone [list=][/list]

[MaryB]

Specs I see say .295 bullet. Starline made brass at one time, maybe a call to them?

[Makarov]

Zero experience with this round.
Having no clue what a Nagant 7.62x38 was, my curiosity (and sleepless boredom) led me to do some "googling".
I found the following:
Wiki article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62%C3%9738mmR

Read Stainz post - last one
http://forums.handloads.com/archive/for ... p?TID=2880

M1895 NAGANT Pistol Collector Forum- Gunboards.com
http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdispla ... ctor-Forum

Cast Boolits thread
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthr ... ast-Boolit

Hard to read site (white text) on reloading
http://www.pulemetov.net/weaponry/nagant_cart.html

Some reloading info
http://www.makarov.com/nagant/m1895.htm

Midway has die set which uses 32-20 brass, with this good advice:

For best results you need to slug your Nagant barrel to determine the bullet diameter needed. .311 - .314 diameter bullets work best.
Starline 32-20 brass is likely to work without any alteration. Other brand 32-20 brass will require rim thinning or modification of the recoil plate.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/642108 ... 2-20-brass

More reloading info
http://ingunowners.com/forums/ammunitio ... olver.html

It sounds like split case necks are fairly common (overworking the brass).
Reloading info is out there on the web, take it for what it is worth.
Sounds like a PITA cartridge to play with...

I learned something new.
Good luck in your quest for a good reload for the Nagant

[BigDog58]

Thanks great info. I have managed to find a set of Lee Dies at Graf . They also have cast bullets and I've ordered both. Now I just need to match powder and loads. I've seen Trail Boss suggested. Now, if I can find some locally

[Holland&Holland]

I gotta see pics of this replica. Who makes a replica of a revolver readily available for around $100 in the surplus market that was arguably underpowered and not particularly successful outside of cheap commie circles?

BTW, I understand what you are trying to do, but .32 long shoots just fine out of these at a decent price, the gas seal does not really gain you much that you can't achieve with .32 long or even .32 H&R if you want to push it to the max. Brass is a one and done with either of these though as it will be deformed.

[gun_fan111]

I have a Nagant and have seen ammo with two different crimp profiles on it - some just look tapered and some have almost a neck on them. I wonder what crimp dies you bought and whether the two types have different brass or not...

http://www.realguns.com/archives/130.htm - shows neck profile (like Prvi ammo) and has an extensive article.

http://www.gunpics.net/russian/nagant/nagant.html - has pic of the tapered ammo at the very bottom.

[Seismic Sam]

I have a Nagant and have seen ammo with two different crimp profiles on it - some just look tapered and some have almost a neck on them. I wonder what crimp dies you bought and whether the two types have different brass or not...

http://www.realguns.com/archives/130.htm - shows neck profile (like Prvi ammo) and has an extensive article.

http://www.gunpics.net/russian/nagant/nagant.html - has pic of the tapered ammo at the very bottom.

Significant and funny quote from the 1st article that explains this ridiculous cartridge:

"Yes, I realize 1943 Russia could have produced guns made from old tuna cans."

[Shawski]

I have 60 pieces of brass. PM me if you want it, I could bring it down to you after work during the week.