Cosmoline
Member
I've been working up loads for my 95 Nagant over the past month, and took the opportunity to try out some of the target ammo on small game. I used the Fiocchi loads last weekend, but found they had no knockdown power whatsoever. I shot one squirrel at least twice with them and he was still running around for awhile until a .22 to the heart brought him down.
The CCCP wadcutters seemed like a better choice. They're slower, but fire big flat-faced lead slug. I only had time for one shot between chores this weekend, but the squirrel I nailed in a tree branch about ten yards away was thunder struck and went down instantly. The noise level was very low--no more than a .22 revolver firing high vels.
I'm going to continue experimenting with the Nagant this winter on small game up here. So far though it shows some real promise as a trail piece. Whatever its drawbacks, it's VERY accurate with proper 7.62 Nagant loads.
