The .32 S&WL and H&R Magnum rounds are just a bit smaller in OD - and a lot shorter than - the real Nagant ammo. The Nagant ammo's mouth opens in the barrel and requires a bit of a shove to get it out of the cylinder later, thus the SA-style ejector rod. The Magtech .32 S&WL I have shot is so soft, it really bulges, again making extraction tedious.
I have joined the ranks of those who use the re-sized .32-20 brass homebrews in my Nagants, albeit after a bit of a ritual. I obtained 200 new Starline .32-20 cases and first sanded ~ 10 thousandths off the headstamp with 320-600 grit Si/C paper on a flat. This permits the thicker rims to work well with a stock breech block in all Nagants. I then turn ~ 24 thousandths off the rim diameter, using a Taig micro-lathe, to permit self-centering of the rounds in the chamber bores when loading. I size the brass through a Lee carbide M1 Carbine size, then bell and drop powder with an M1 Carbine powder funnel, and seat and crimp with a .32-20 Lee die from the special 'Nagant' set made by Lee for Midway & Graf's (It uses .32-20 brass...). I hold the cases with a .32-20 shellplate in my Dillon 550B. With Meister 100gr DEWC .312" lead over 2.3gr TiteGroup, I get better results than with either the yellow boxed Russian target or the $50/box Fiocchi ammo. I have just started experimenting with the Berry's clad 85gr .311" DEWC's.
I would try the Nagant with the .32 H&R Magnums... they really aren't that much 'hotter' than S&WL's, but the brass should be more stout - and, possibly, shouldn't bulge... making extraction easier. Just be prepared for a 'stout' DA trigger... tricked out, it will still be over 20lb! Do some finger excercises...
They are a neat revolver - and have an interesting history... try the dedicated 1895 Nagant forum on Gunboards...
Stainz
