9 X 23R revolver

S

smokinbarrel

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I have recently acquired an old Belgian Nagant 1878 revolver chambered in 9 x 23R. Apparently brass can be made from cut down 30-30. The bore I haven't slugged yet (it's not in my hands yet) Specs are .373-.375"
They are a well built, substantial revolver built from good steel, so I think light loads of low pressure smokeless shouldn't be a problem.
Has anyone done any experimenting with bullets and powders? It looks like it may be a heeled bullet proposition. It's always a benefit to work off of other's experimentation rather than starting from scratch.
 
To follow up, I have the revolver, bore slugs at .373 I have made some brass out of 30 30 it just needed the rim shaved about .005 so it didn't drag in cylinder. I cut them to.960 and gave them a slight taper with a 22hp sizer. 41 magnum brass will also work but it is slightly larger just above rim and rim thickness is ok as is. I'm going to get a 7.62 x 39 sizer and cut it down since it has the right size and taper about mid body. The 30 30 brass is a bit thick so I ream the necks to .358 I made a crimp die. I'm experimenting with different bullets, I tried some light Lee cast 125gr. .375 heeled that were not very accurate, then I tried some .357 HBWC in the hope they would expand out to fill the bore. They haven't worked well either. My next experiment is 158gr. round nose .358 bullets with 3 layers of masking tape wrapped around the front two thirds to create sort of a paper patched effect and gave them a wax coating. Will see how they work. Trying different powders using 38 S&W data as a starting point as they are relatively similar. Is there a Canadian source for a .375 heeled bullet in the 150 to 200gr, range or a mold? The original load was 190gr with a paper patched lead bullet. The revolver has a large long forcing cone with perfect shiny bore, 4 grooves.
 
Don't know of a Canadian source right offhand. But...Old West Bullet Molds in the U.S., may have what you need. Likewise: Accurate Molds.
 
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