REAL Nagant revolver reloads with Lee die set?

[Navy_Guns]

I ordered the Lee die set from Midway this week to reload .32-20 shells for firing out of a 1895 Nagant revolver. Of course it's only now, after my order shipped, that I found this site:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/m1895comrade/index.asp

which says you have to buy a special shell holder from RCBS if you want to reload actual 7.62x38r brass, because the shell holder Lee puts in the kit only works for (duh!) .32-20 cases. Well SHOOT!!! I wish Midway had put this info in the Product Information section for this die set!

<sigh...> Okay, if I have to order the stupid $20.99 shell holder now (yay inflated s&h charges!), is there any other secret booby traps I need to know about to use the Lee die set on real Nagant brass? I know about having to modify the seater stem with a 1/4-20 x 1/2" round head bolt. Will the resizing die in that kit work for Nagant brass, or is that for .32-20 only as well? I got a .30 Carbine Factory Crimp die just in case.

For load data, can I use published .32 H&R magnum powder/bullet information?

 

[zxcvbob]

I bought a box of Fiocchi 7.62 Nagant Revolver ammo. (It is loaded pathetically light; I need to get a box of Hotshot to compare.) Some of the case mouths split about 1/4" on the first firing. I wonder if I can cut those cases back with a .30 Carbine case trimmer and seat/crimp the bullets like a normal cartridge?

I haven't rummaged thru my pile of shell holders yet to see if I have one that will fit. I was planning to reform brass out of .223 cartridges but haven't gotten around to that yet.

 

[rcmodel]

The original 7.62 Nagant Russian GI load was very low pressure, consisting of a 108 grain bullet at 725 FPS.

Some of the .32 Magnum load data seems a little on the excessively hot side to me for a 100+ year old gun design!

I'd look at 100 grain Speer plinker's over 3.2 Bullseye for around 900 FPS.
Or a 115 grain Lyman #311441 cast bullet over 3.0 grains for around 800.

rc

 

[Cosmoline]

I've been through this with the Lee set. My experiences are detailed here:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=226290&highlight=Nagant

I used RCBS No. 1 and extra lube ;-)

Hope that helps!

The original 7.62 Nagant Russian GI load was very low pressure, consisting of a 108 grain bullet at 725 FPS.

The original Russian GI load was over 1,000 fps but nobody sells it now The Fiochi has been downloaded, and the CCCP is strictly low-powered practice ammo.

 

[jwr_747]

my Nagant "die set" includes,the Lee set,part of a 30 carbine set,part of a 32 special set,and a die with a piece of wood dowel.this round is a real challenge to reload...jwr

 

[Navy_Guns]

Thank you MidwayUSA

I called Midway and explained my dilemma, and they agreed to waive the $3 small-order fee for me. $4 to mail a single shell holder is still a PITA but it was nice of them to give me a break.

 

[Navy_Guns]

Dies are arriving today - So, can I use 32 H&R Magnum load data in 7.62x38r cases???

 

[Cosmoline]

I'd start conservative with .32 S&W Long loads, though the H&R is a magnum in name only.