I finally found some of my old posts and range reports in case your interested. I'll just paste it in here.
My pet loadÂ…90 grain berry plated .311 round-nose bullet sized .309 with 3.6 grains Unique in Graf nagant brass (same as starline brass)
When I first loaded the new Graf brass I discovered the case length is not rightÂ…it is about 60 thousands too short. They are 1.42 inches before full length sizing and 1.46 inches after, but the real russian brass is 1.52 inches, as is the Bertram brass.
First range report:
I first tested some loads using Graf brass, along with a few Bertram cases mixed in using same powder and bullets.
Every Bertram case split wide open, but not at the neck. So much for that crap. I will throw out the crummy Bertram brass.
The Graf brass did well (I didn't look at accuracy or velocity) with no splits, no flat primers, no extreme bulging. With hottest charge there was some very small bulging about a half-inch up from the rim, but most cases fell right out. I fired test in two different nagants. In my 1937 i have two of the cylinders that are a little tighter than the others, and in one of those I had to push out the brass, but it didn't take any effort at all. In my 1939 all cases fell right out just by tipping the revolver muzzle up with the gate open. So bulging definitely was not a problem.
Using both Berry 83 grain HBWC and 90 round-nose gr sized to .309, all shots fell within a dinner plate at 15 yards. I was not very careful about sight picture, etc. so if i had been trying, I could have had 3" groups I think (with the same powder charge and bullets).
Had it not been for a wadcutter bullet stuck in the reducing cone from a round with no powder, I would have tested more than 3 recipes.
The brass was sized with CH4D dies, using included taper crimp die until all rounds fit in all chambers. OAL was 1.46, with bullet seated about 60 thousands below case mouth.
I used 3.0 grains of Unique powder, 3.3 grains Unique and 3.6 gr. Unique. I will probably try 3.4, 3.6 and 3.8 next time and check for accuracy. I had better luck with the round nose copper plated 90 grain bullet as far as chambering and taper crimping goes.
Second range report:
Using Graf brass and Berry 90 grain .311 sized to .309 (slip fits better in the neck opening created by CH4D expander). I loaded 5 rounds of each using Unique powder charge: 3.4 gr, 3.6 gr, 3.8 gr and 4.0 grains. Based on 32 H&R Magnum loads, my previous 3.6 gr loads looked OK, with no signs of pressure problems. I was looking for accuracy this time, and I got it!
I used sandbag rest at 15 yards indoors. I got old eyes and wear trifocals so I can't really see what I'm shooting at. I got a clear front and rear sight picture, but bull was quite blurry. I tried for consistent picture, though.
group 1--3.4 grains Unique
3" group 4 with one flier, printing at bull elevation and an inch to right. Mild report, no recoil.
group 2--3.6 grains Unique
2" group of 4 with one flier, printing bull elevation and 3 inches to right. Mild report. Little recoil. Cases fall out of cylinder, no signs of pressure, no bulging.
group 3--3.8 grains Unique
3" group of 4 with one flier, printed bull elevation and 4" to right.
Pronounced report with 3" flame at muzzle, recoil mild. Cases fall out of cylinder, no signs of pressure, no bulging.
group 4--4.0 grains Unique
3" group with one flier, printed bull elevation and 3" to right. Very noticeable report, flame, but still mild recoil. Most cases fall out of cylinder, two required gentle push with ejector rod. Very minimal primer flattening, no cratering. No unusual bulging. Cases show about .003 bulging about a half inch up from rim...very little considering these are loose chambers. I've seen much more pressure signs from 38 special loads.
I think I'll stop at 4 grains and will probably use 3.6 grains for my loads with this brass and bullet. With 4 grains of Unique the muzzle flash and report gets a little scary, like a CZ-52, and, while no over pressure signs are showing, these are pretty old revolvers. Cases have been fired three times and still look really nice, no splits at case mouth or bad bulging. Look good for at least 10 more reloads.
