Duplicating a cartridge no one cares about 7.62x38R Nagant
Yea, the 7.62x28R is a weird case and no one cares...so I tried to recreate something a bit better than the factory Fiochi. What's wrong with the Fiochi? There are large carbon stains around the case mouth indicating it is not gas sealing.
I wish this cartridge was used in a better gun. The trigger pull on the 1895 Nagant is ferocious. Imagine a high quality double action, break top, gas seal, 8 shot revolver made to modern standards. Maybe even a super weird one like all that stuff on a Chiopa Rhino, but I digress.
Anyway, here's what I used...
RCBS spray case lube
1. Lee 7.62x38R sizer die
2. Lee .313 expander/decapping rod
3. Lyman M-die for 30 carbine, adjust for slight flare.
4. Hornady seating die with the sleeve (just makes the bullets self align)
5. Push bullet below the case mouth using the M-die again...the seating die will only make the bullet flush to the case mouth. I know it sounds odd but using the M-die easily lets you push the bullet below the case mouth.
6. Lee 7.62x39 FCD It turns out the Lee Factory Crimp Die for the 7.62x39 does a really good imitation of the factory weird crimp on the 7.69x38R. You can use the regular roll crimp but it's not as pretty. Turn the case a couple of times to get a perfectly even crimp all around.
7. Lee #19 shell holder.
1. 84 grain RCBS full wadcutter 32 S&W Long cast bullet.
2. Coated with 3 coats of Hi-Tek Bronze
3. Sized to .311 using a Lee bullet sizer die.
4. Lubed with Auqualube 5000
4.0 grains of Unique
Federal 100 small pistol primer
More powerful than factory Fiochi.
Completely sealed case mouth. No carbon leakage at all.
The cases were reloaded 3 times and looked fine. I'm not sure how long they'll last but it will be quite a while.
Accuracy was superior without a doubt. It would be excellent if it didn't have a Neanderthal trigger pull.