M1895 Nagant Revolver Reloading Project
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M1895 Nagant Revolver
Reloading Project
by George N. Fisher
Project and page started Oct
10th, 2002
This site designed for
800x600 res.
Last
Update, November 9th, 2002
Clickable Pictures and
Links are
Blue
and
underlined
.
Newest Updated info highlighted in Yellow, changed info
Highlighted in Green.
A few weeks ago I finally broke
down and bought myself a M1895 Nagant Revolver to fill a gap in
my collection of Former Soviet Military Pistols.
At first I wasn't impressed with
the piece, the trigger was heavy, the sights barely visable, and
Factory Ammo all but unavailable. What ammo is available runs $35 - $50 USD per box of 50. After looking over the revolver however, I grew more
and more impressed with the design and unique Gas Seal Action.
While not my first choice as a combat sidearm, it does show great
promise as a target, small game and general
plinking piece. More information on this revolver can be found
here :
The Nagant Page
.
The original caiber is the
7.62x38R Nagant Gas Seal Cartridge. I got a replacement cylinder
chambered in .32 ACP from
Makarov.com
, with the intent
of using the .32 ACP ammo for plinking and target shooting, and
saving the original cylinder for the day when I found a good deal
on original ammo. Some searching on the Web, and some helpful
folks over at the Gun Boards Nagant forum,
turned up some interesting information. Usable cases can be made
from
32-20 brass
. There was some mention of having to thin the rims of
the cases for some revolvers, but I didn't find this to be the
case for me. I ordered a set of
Lee Steel Dies
and some
StarLine
32-20 brass and got
to work.
First step is to full length
resize the
32-20
brass
in the 7.62 Nagant sizing die.
Apply a bit of lube and this is an easy process. This removes the
shoulder from the 32-20 brass, and gives it a long tapered case
that is a perfect fit in the original cylinder. The Lee 7.62
Nagant Dies did not seat the bullet below the case mouth as this
round requuires, and a note included with the dies even states
this, and suggests the use of a 1/4-20 machine bolt as a
replacement bullet seating punch. My first loads were all seated
with this arrangement, but I was not happy with the slight marks
left on the bullet nose from the bolt, and so I turned the first
3/8" of the Lee bullet seating punch down to .308" to
allow it to seat the bullets as it should. This worked much
better, and seated the bullets much straighter, giving better
accuracy.
Modified
Seating Punch picture.
During this time, I found some
older reloading data for several .32 caliber rounds from a
project from several years back. Included in this data are Heavy
bullets loads with weights as high as 150 grs in the .32 S&W
Long cartridge. I decided to look at some new data for the .32
ACP cylinder, using standard .32 ACP brass, but with loads
designed for and able to chamber only in the longer .32 ACP
cylinder for the Nagant. I called the new loads "32
Nagant" to keep the load data seperate from standard loads
in .32 ACP for use in Semi-automatic pistols such as the
CZ-50/70. One thing I did notice during firing with the 32 ACP
Cylinder installed was that it must be kept clean, or the
revelver would tend to bind after about 50 rds or so. A cleaner
buring powder may help resolve this.
Included in this new series are
Sabot loads with 46 and 55 gr bullets, Wad Cutter loads, Semi-Wad
Cutter Loads, Jacketed Hollow Point Loads with heavy bullet
weights, and heavy weight cast bullet loads. Please remember that
these are experimental loads only, and for referance and
informational purposes only. Use this or any other load data at
your own risk.
General Shooting Notes
As I stated in the beginning, the
sights on this revolver are hard to see, that was the main reason
for limiting the shooting to 15 yds. I used a fairly standard
Pistol target
for all accuracy testing.
The .32 ACP Cylinder worked very
well, but tended to get dirty within 50 rds or so. A cleaning or
chamber brush makes life much easier, and allows extended
shooting time. As the cylinder got dirty, chambering rounds got
to be a chore, and the action got stiffer and harder to operate.
A few passes with a brush solved this.
All the loads tested at first
would either drop free from the chamber either under their own
power, or with a slight tap of the ejection rod. The FN Factory
ammo was the only ammo that required a firm push to eject the
brass.
The Double action pull of the test
revolver was off the scale, but I would guess it to be somewhere
in the 20 lb range. All testing was done single action.
The windage was right on for
almost all loads, with the worst (FN Factory ammo) being 1.5
inches left of center. Most loads tended to shoot 2-5 inches high
when a center hold was used, but with a 6 O'Clock hold, most
loads seemed to be fairly close to center.
I also noticed the original wood
grips tended to rub the hands after about 100 rds were fired, but
the pistol did not move around in the hand, and recoil was very
mild.
Notes On what I would do to build
a Custom Target / field Revolver based on the M1895 Nagant.
If a person wanted to build a
unique target or Field/hiking Revolver using the M1895 as a base,
I would be sure to start with a revolver that has no or almost no
collector value. Check here for more info.
The Nagant Page
.
Personally, the following is a
list of the changes and improvements I would (and am planning to
or have already) do:
1. Change out the grips for a set
of custom smooth or finely checkered Walnut. Another option would
be some of the original Bakelite grips, if a spare set could be
found. The rough checkered, light colored wood grips that came on
this pistol leave alot of room for improvement, reguardless.
2. Smooth the action and inner
workings of the Revolver. A good general cleaning and hand
polishing of all contact surfaces should reduce the DA trigger
somewhat.
3. Sights - Have to do more
research, but it seems a good revolver target type sight could be
adapted to the M1895 Nagant.
4. If you don't handload, than the
.32 ACP Cylinder is almost a must have. A fairly wide selection
of .32 ACP ammo can be found. Even so, I would carry a spare .32
ACP Cylinder for Field use, simply to allow the use of Factory
ammo. (Hollow points for small game hunting, etc.) If spare parts
can be found, the cylinder can be fitted with a Spring and
Cylinder plunger, to make switching cylinders a simple process.
5. Holster for Field / Hiking use.
Don't see many holsters that work with the Nagant, but
Makarov.com
has a nice Nylon hip holster that includes loops along
the front to hold extra rounds. The Holster includes a adjustable
thumbsnap to secure the the revolver in the holster. The original
Military Holster is also good, if you follow the proper care for
leather. Some people (myself included) find the flap type
holsters uncomfortable and hard to use however.
6. Belt Pouch for Field / Hiking
use. A good belt pouch to hold extra ammo, a cleaning brush or
maybe one of the Boresnake type cleaning pull-thru's, and the
spare cylinder if needed. There are many military surplus type
pouches available that would serve this purpose well, most
available for under $10.00. I use a
Surplus East German belt pouch
.
Reloading Data
Warning - This
data is provided for informational purposes only. You are
responsible for the safety of your ammo, and how it is used. The
Author, nor anyone else, is not responsible for the use or misuse
of this data or any other information found on this website.
7.62x38R Nagant loads using
converted Starline 32-20 Brass
All loads used Winchester Small Pistol
Primers
All loads were given taper crimp with Lee Die, with bullet seated
below case mouth.
Bullet Type
|
Bullet Weight (grains)
|
Powder Type
|
Charge (grains)
|
Velocity (fps)
|
COL
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Notes and Comments
|
Group Size (7 rds @ 15 yds)
|
Moly
Coated SWC
|
100
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AA #5
|
3.8
|
667.8
|
1.324
|
Good starting load,
very mild recoil
|
2.775, 6 rds in
1.644
|
Plated DEWC
|
83
|
AA #5
|
3.8
|
660.2
|
1.285
|
Very Mild Load
|
2.216
|
Plated HBWC
|
83
|
AA #5
|
3.8
|
648.9
|
1.285
|
Very
Mild
|
1.385
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Plated WCHP
|
83
|
AA #5
|
3.8
|
651.0
|
1.285
|
slighty worse spread
than when loaded as HBWC
|
2.116
|
Moly Coated SWC
|
100
|
Red Dot
|
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NYT
|
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Plated DEWC
|
83
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Red Dot
|
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NYT
|
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Plated HBWC
|
83
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Red Dot
|
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NYT
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Plated WCHP
|
83
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Red Dot
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NYT
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.32 Nagant loads using standard .32 ACP brass
(for use in the .32 ACP cylinder in the 1895 Nagant
revolver Only)
All loads used CCI Small Pistol Primers
All loads were given taper crimp with Lee Die
Bullet Type
|
Bullet Weight (grains)
|
Powder Type
|
Charge (grains)
|
Velocity (fps)
|
COL
|
Notes and Comments
|
Group Size (7 rds @ 15 yds)
|
22
Caliber JHP w/ Sabot
|
46
|
AA #5
|
2.5
|
820.1
|
.996
|
at 15
yds the Sabot had not seperated from the bullet. Very
snappy load, recoil about like a 22 RFM from a Pistol.
|
1.895
|
22
Caliber JHP w/ Sabot
|
55
|
AA #5
|
2.5
|
725.5
|
1.200
|
at 15
yds the Sabot had not seperated from the bullet. No signs
of yawing or unstable bullets.
|
2.306
|
Plated HBWC
|
83
|
AA #5
|
2.2
|
803.0
|
.941
|
Very nice load, most accurate to
date with the 32 Cylinder
|
1.459
|
Plated DEWC
|
83
|
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NYT
|
.941
|
|
|
Hornady XTP-HP
|
85
|
AA #2
|
2.2
|
762.9
|
.980
|
|
1.963
|
Plated
WCHP
|
83
|
AA #5
|
2.2
|
798.5
|
.941
|
HBWC loaded
backwards as Hollow point
|
1.755
|
Moly
Coated SWC
|
100
|
AA #5
|
2.2
|
592.5
|
.968
|
Recoil slightly
heavier than other loads, still very light
|
2.164
|
Cast LRN
|
93
|
AA #5
|
2.2
|
NYT
|
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Cast RNFP-GC
|
120
|
HP-38
|
2.5
|
710
|
.975
|
MAX LOAD
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.32 ACP loads using standard .32 ACP brass
(Loads also suitable for Standard .32 ACP pistols in
good condition)
All loads used CCI Small Pistol Primers
All loads were given taper crimp with Lee Taper Crimp Die
Bullet Type
|
Bullet Weight (grains)
|
Powder Type
|
Charge (grains)
|
Velocity (fps)
|
Notes and Comments
|
Group Size (7 rds @ 15 yds)
|
FMJ
|
71
|
Bullseye
|
2.1
|
902.2
|
Standard target load
I use for my CZ-50 Pistol
|
1.775
|
Hornady XTP-HP
|
85
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NYT
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Hornady XTP-HP
|
60
|
Bullseye
|
2.6
|
835.5
|
Good load for CZ-50
pistol, comparable to most factory HP loads of same
caliber.
|
Not recorded (target misplaced)
|
22 Caliber JHP w/
Sabot
|
46
|
AA #5
|
2.5
|
820.1
|
at 15
yds the Sabot had not seperated from the bullet. Very
snappy load, recoil about like a 22 RFM from a Pistol.
|
1.895
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7.62x38R Nagant Snake Shot load using converted
Starline 32-20 Brass
This load was a spin off of an older
reloading project for the .32 H&R Magnum round. To start,
brass is prepared as normal, and than again resized in a .30
Carbine sizer die to give it a straighter forward portion. The
case is primed, and powder charge dumped, measured, however you
do it. A .30 caliber gascheck is seated just off the powder
charge, and the case filled to within 1/16" of the case
mouth with the
smallest
size shot
you can find. I use number 8
shot, pulled from some old 16 gauge shotgun loads I had no use
for. Each shotgun shell gives enough shot for 10+ snake shot
loads. Another .30 caliber gascheck is seated on top of the shot,
cup side down, and a
light
roll crimp added
. I also found that the
top gas check is much easier to seat if it is first run thru a
.308 bullet sizing die. The bottom gas check should not be sized,
as it needs to be slightly oversize to align itself in the case
during seating. I used a 1/2 long 1/4-20 bolt as a seating punch
for the bottom gas check, in the Lee die. The bolt is inserted
from the top, and the adjustment screwed all the way down. The
modified Lee seating punch was used to seat the top gas check.
Works good for Snakes or other pests at up to 7-8 feet (maybe
further, but at 10 feet, I leave them alone and remove myself
from the area.)
Powder Type
|
Powder Charge (grains)
|
Shot Size
|
Shot weight (grains)
|
Primer
|
Firing results @ 7 feet
|
AA #5
|
2.5
|
# 8
|
56.3 (includes 2 30 caliber gas
checks)
|
CCI Small Pistol
|
32 pellets in a 7 inch circle, 6
pellets in the 1.5 inch center aiming point, 55 pellets
total on a 8.5x11 sheet of paper. Both GC's hit within 1
inch of each other, just left of point of aim. Both GC's
hit flat and cut a WC type hole in the paper.
|
Bullseye
|
3.0
|
# 8
|
56.3 (includes 2 30 caliber gas
checks)
|
CCI Small Pistol
|
28 pellets in a 7 inch circle, 7
pellets in the 1.5 inch center aiming point, 61 pellets
total on 8.5x11 sheet of paper. One GC hit almost dead
center point of aim, other was 3 in high and right from
center and entered sideways.
|
.32 ACP Factory Ammo, Tested in
.32 ACP Conversion Cylinder
Brand
|
Bullet Weight
|
Bullet Type
|
Velocity (fps)
|
Average Group of 7 rds (15
yds, from a rest)
|
Notes and Comments
|
Winchester
|
60 grain
|
Silver Tip JHP
|
899.0
|
2.228, 5 shots in 1.900
|
|
FN / Military
Surplus
|
75 grain
|
FMJ-FP
|
860.3
|
1.316
|
This ammo uses a
FMJ-FP bullet design that refuses to feed in many Semi-
Autos. I bought a case planning to use the brass for
reloading, however, despite the sellers claims, this ammo
is Bredan Primed, and VERY dirty. However it was accurate
in the .32 ACP Cylinder, and is a good general Plinking /
target load. It comes packed 25 rds to a Egg crate type
plastic box, 1050 rds per case.
|
Magtech
|
71 grain
|
FMJ-RN
|
NYT
|
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HiTech Ammo
|
42 grain
|
TC - Copper Hollow
Point
|
1306
|
3.650
|
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RWS - German Plastic
Training Ammo
|
21 grain
|
Plastic Round Nose
|
NYT
|
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American Eagle (Federal )
|
71 grain
|
FMJ-RN
|
NYT
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List of
Abbreviations
used on this
page.
List of
Sources
for parts and
reloading items used.