Load check - 7.62 Nagant shotshells

[cberge8]

I just decided to load up some shotshell loads for my 1895 Nagant revolver.

This is my first attempt at loading shotshells for pistol use and would like any feedback you think may help.

I used once fired PPU 7.62x38R brass. Loaded 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 gn of Bullseye, 1/16" cardboard over powder, then 85gn of 7 1/2 shot, topped off with another 1/16" cardboard over shot.

All three of these fired just fine with decent groups (6" average) at "critter" range (about 5-7 feet). All of the pellets made it clean through a 1/4" piece of plywood, making me think this could be a decent load for taking out some of the opossums that are tearing up my garden without upsetting the neighbors as these loads were also fairly quiet.

Is there any way to estimate chamber pressure for a shotshell load? While they fired just fine I am still kind of leery about using them any more until I hear from someone more experienced in this kind of thing.

 

[rcmodel]

way to estimate chamber pressure for a shotshell load

There is no way to "estimate" pressure with any load.
It is either pressure tested by a ballistics lab, or it isn't.

However, your 2.0 and 2.5 charges with Bullseye and 85 grains of shot sound safe enough.

Don't know about 3.0 though, but it should be O.K. too.


There is some 7.62 Nagant shotshell info here that is suggesting it.
http://www.makarov.com/nagant/m1895.htm

rc

 

[cberge8]

Thanks for the reply. I can't believe I never saw that page on makarov.com before!

 

[kingmt]

If the case doesn't stick in the cylinder you should be OK. If it does stick back off.