Re-visiting the NAGANT

[gates]

So we can buy 1080rds of MIL ammo for roughly 3X the cost of the pistol... we all have one, too cheap NOT to have one, but DO you buy this ammo deal...

[mutter]

Here comes the idiots with 32 caliber legends!

General rule of thumb:"NEVER" "put a big bullet down a little hole!

[Gazz]

I bought one of the revolvers years ago at a gun auction - a 1920's made one with no import stamps and original finish. I took it to show to a friend and he gave me a partial box of ammo for it but I've never shot it. Guess I don't feel the need.
And yes, there are plenty of stories about shooting .32 H&R magnum, .32S&W long and I think 32-20 out of them. All of those are probably more expensive than the correct round but more available.

[gates]

It's an interesting if underpowered round, when I picked mine up correct ammo was almost unobtainable, thats changed albeit it is very expensive.

[308bolt]

I bought mine a couple of months ago.
I purchased PRVI non-corrosive, reloadable ammo to feed it.
Looks to be a challenge to load for.

[gates]

Bro - to me it's more of an interesting oddity that you shoot rarely but is a cool piece of history to own, I think 1 case of surplus ammo will last my lifetime:-)

[Capt.Hotpants]

Ive shot .32 S&W long out of them, the military stuff has a bigger bullet than the S&W longs. The cases bulge and often split but its a solid little pop gun and can be pretty accurate if you can find the properly loaded ammo for it. The groups are terrible with anything but the original military stuff so I wouldn't bother wasting money on ammo if it's gonna produce an 8 inch group at 10 yards.

Great guns, if only WOLF would come out with some ammo loaded up to military specs then I think these would gain more popularity. I'd have more than one that's for sure!

[Artful]

privi has done fine by me, and non-corrosive

J & G surplus

This is genuine Russian military surplus 7.62 Nagant ammunition (7.62x38R). It features a 108grn lead core bi-metal jacketed FMJ bullet, brass case, and Berdan primer. The bullet attracts a magnet. This ammo is corrosive. Sealed tin of 1092rds. $338.52 plus tax and shipping vs. privi for $30 for 50

[Capt.Hotpants]

Thats good news about Privi. I've heard good things about the Privi. I've been meaning to grab a couple boxes but I've been shying away because the price.

[zombie hunter]

The surplus ammo isn't underpowered like the PPU, but in my experience the spent cases are a lot more difficult to extract.

[Hot Diggity]

I've converted a bunch of .223 brass into very useable Nagant revolver brass, but it's not a really easy conversion, as it requires a stout reloading press and a lathe. I'll give a quick rundown if anybody is interested.

Remove the decapping pin/expander from a .30 carbine FL die.

Run the .223 brass into a .30 carbine FL die until it is flush with the base of the die. I use a piece of bar stock on top of the shell holder. (this process requires considerable effort)

Tap the reformed case back out of the die with a punch. It is now sized to
surprisingly close to 7.62 Nagant diameter down nearly to the base of the case.

Chuck the case gently in a lathe and turn the diameter of the remaining unsized case down to the same diameter as the resized portion, but do not reduce the diameter of the rim. This will leave you with a semi-rimmed case that works just fine in the Nagant. Cut to the correct length these cases will provide the correct Nagant gas seal.

Or...you can get some .32 H&R Magnum brass and buckshot...

HD

[308bolt]

Originally Posted by Hot Diggity

I've converted a bunch of .223 brass into very useable Nagant revolver brass, but it's not a really easy conversion, as it requires a stout reloading press and a lathe. I'll give a quick rundown if anybody is interested.

Remove the decapping pin/expander from a .30 carbine FL die.

Run the .223 brass into a .30 carbine FL die until it is flush with the base of the die. I use a piece of bar stock on top of the shell holder. (this process requires considerable effort)

Tap the reformed case back out of the die with a punch. It is now sized to
surprisingly close to 7.62 Nagant diameter down nearly to the base of the case.

Chuck the case gently in a lathe and turn the diameter of the remaining unsized case down to the same diameter as the resized portion, but do not reduce the diameter of the rim. This will leave you with a semi-rimmed case that works just fine in the Nagant. Cut to the correct length these cases will provide the correct Nagant gas seal.

Or...you can get some .32 H&R Magnum brass and buckshot...

HD

Thanks for the info.
I'm in my shop right now toying with that very project.
I was just pondering if a lee 7.62x38r forming die would go all the way down to the rim of a .223.
I noticed that the PRVI brass is really loose in the chambers and that .30 carbine, though tighter, is too short to make a gas seal.
Tell me, how do you seat your bullets in the converted .223 brass?

[shortround]

I have some Lee dies and some starline 32-30 brass that works just fine. Had to polish the rim thickness down with some crocus cloth on a few, but the rest work fine, although you lose the gas seal as the case is shorter than the original.

http://makarov.com/nagant/m1895.htm

From the webpage (not mine):


Once fired 32-20 Starline Brass on the left, formed 7.62 Nagant case on the right.

[Arik]

Originally Posted by gates

It's an interesting if underpowered round, when I picked mine up correct ammo was almost unobtainable, thats changed albeit it is very expensive.

I always understood that the original military round was about the same in power as a 32-20 and 32H&R mag. The commercial stuff is downloaded to that of a .32 or so.

[Capt.Hotpants]

Originally Posted by Arik

I always understood that the original military round was about the same in power as a 32-20 and 32H&R mag. The commercial stuff is downloaded to that of a .32 or so.

Yeah the original military issue stuff had a bit more kick to it. I need to grab a few boxes if I can find any.

There used to be some Russian stuff in Yellow boxes with targets on the side and that stuff was very weak. It must of been practice ammo or gallery ammo because it had no recoil at all but it did form a gas seal.

[Hot Diggity]

Originally Posted by 308bolt

Thanks for the info.
Tell me, how do you seat your bullets in the converted .223 brass?

I expand the neck just a bit with a universal case expander and seat the bullet to the same depth as the original Russian (yellow box with a bullseye on it) target ammo. I can't remember if I was using the .30 Carbine seating die when I first did this or something else. (I have the 7.62x28 dies now)
Anyway, after I had it seated to the desired depth I ran it back in the .30 Carbine sizer just a bit to smooth the flare out. (.223 shell holder)

Sorry to be so long getting back to you. Hope this helps, but I expect you've figured it out and been shooting by now.

Range Report?

HD

[pmf]

The Nagant revolver is the most unique C&R pistol I can think of because:

1. I don't own one
2. I've never had the desire to own one
3. I doubt I'll ever own one even if they gave them away free

[308bolt]

Originally Posted by Hot Diggity

I expand the neck just a bit with a universal case expander and seat the bullet to the same depth as the original Russian (yellow box with a bullseye on it) target ammo. I can't remember if I was using the .30 Carbine seating die when I first did this or something else. (I have the 7.62x28 dies now)
Anyway, after I had it seated to the desired depth I ran it back in the .30 Carbine sizer just a bit to smooth the flare out. (.223 shell holder)

Sorry to be so long getting back to you. Hope this helps, but I expect you've figured it out and been shooting by now.

Range Report?

HD

This has got to be karma or something.
Just as I started reading your post my wife walked in and handed me a mailer with my sizing die from Lee.
Smoothing out the flare with the sizing die makes a lot on sense.
Thanks for the info.

[gates]

The .mil stuff has these strange INDENTS holding the pill in place - they obviously did this for a reason but as a civi re-loader I see no way to replicate this "crimp"...

[308bolt]

Originally Posted by gates

The .mil stuff has these strange INDENTS holding the pill in place - they obviously did this for a reason but as a civi re-loader I see no way to replicate this "crimp"...

The re-loadable PRVI stuff has an even, though unusual, crimp all around the mouth of the shell.

[gunnut1]

When I bought my first Nagant the 14 round Russian stuff was $14.00 a box of $14.00 rounds. I found some Privi and I haven't shot the gun the gun since. I have three of them now. I have recently became interest in CAS and the Nagant is legal but you have to convert them to single action job. Easy job. I just need to find some 100% lead bullet.

[Artful]

Originally Posted by pmf

The Nagant revolver is the most unique C&R pistol I can think of because:

1. I don't own one
2. I've never had the desire to own one
3. I doubt I'll ever own one even if they gave them away free

I had to have one after watching this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvF4yurWSc0

for more explaination
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGoPE7VQ9GY

Something to be said for having one of the ONLY revolvers that suppress.

[pmf]

Originally Posted by Artful

I had to have one after watching this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvF4yurWSc0

for more explaination
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGoPE7VQ9GY

Something to be said for having one of the ONLY revolvers that suppress.

I always wondered why they designed them with the sealed chamber. It's the only C&R pistol I'll never own. And I own quite a few.

[Opie]

My Nagant is a fun little piece to plink with, or to kill snakes with. I need to get some money together and get a can of that ammo from J&G.