7.62 Nagant Russ. Load Data

The 7.62 Nagant Russ., also known as the 7.62x38mmR Nagant, is a unique revolver cartridge developed in the late 19th century for the famous Russian Nagant M1895 revolver. Its history began in the Russian Empire, where Belgian designers Léon and Émile Nagant created the cartridge and revolver system to serve as the standard sidearm of the Imperial Russian military. The cartridge quickly gained notoriety for its distinctive gas-seal design, in which the cylinder moves forward upon firing, allowing the cartridge case to partially enter the barrel’s forcing cone, thus minimizing the gap between cylinder and barrel. This innovation resulted in increased muzzle velocity and reduced gas escape, a rare feature among revolver cartridges. Throughout its service life, the 7.62 Nagant cartridge remained in Russian and Soviet use from the 1890s through World War II and well into the 20th century before being superseded by more modern sidearms.

For ammunition reloaders, the 7.62 Nagant Russ. offers an intriguing challenge due to its uncommon bullet and case construction. While commercial ammunition is available, it can sometimes be hard to find or expensive, making handloading an appealing and practical option for enthusiasts of historical firearms. The cartridge is commonly used for recreational shooting, historical reenactments, and as a collectible round. In modern times, the Nagant revolver and its ammunition have carved a niche among firearm collectors and those interested in Soviet and pre-Soviet military history. Its unique design and the revolver it was paired with are often points of discussion and study among reloaders, given the mechanical differences from most other revolver systems.

The 7.62 Nagant Russ. is not a high-powered or large-caliber round by today’s standards. Its applications are mostly limited to target shooting and small-game hunting. The cartridge has a mild recoil and is known for its manageable report, factors which make it suitable for casual plinking and beginner marksmanship practice. In the hunting context, it is generally regarded as effective for small pests and varmints at close range. The historical Nagant M1895 revolver, increasingly popular on the surplus market, is most often seen on the firing line punching holes in paper rather than serving any serious self-defense or hunting purpose in the modern era.

Typical bullet weights for the 7.62 Nagant Russ. are around 98–108 grains, often in a round-nosed or occasionally a flat-point configuration. The caliber requires a specific bottlenecked case with a pronounced crimp to facilitate the gas-seal mechanism in Nagant revolvers. Nominal bullet diameter is approximately 0.309–0.312 inches, and case length is about 38.86 mm, with an overall cartridge length near 41 mm. Factory loads typically achieve velocities in the 900–1,000 fps range, depending on the exact load and barrel condition. Brass for the 7.62 Nagant Russ. can be sourced from specialty manufacturers, though some reloaders convert brass from other cartridges with similar dimensions. The caliber’s low pressure and mild recoil make it an accessible round for reloaders, though its unique design means attention to detail is important when forming cases and selecting correct bullets for adequate performance and reliable cylinder sealing.