Norma 38s&w rims knurled

[bradaz11]

Do not use them, Stuart! Knurled rims denote proof rounds loaded for arms manufacturers by ammo companies.

yeah they look like home loads, as I doubt proof loads would use keith SWC but there are stranger things. there were around 20 of this 2nd bullet type, which looks a lot like a 455 webley bullet scaled down. I got given about 300 of these SWCs in norma that are all knurled.

the rest, is a few hundred of geco branded ammo in geco boxes, which all looks to be factory. all is in RN, the primers are different to the norma loads, and the cases are slightly tarnished, not bright like the norma cases.
I'm going to pull a sample of all and see what's what.
If I can recognise the powder in the norma cases I'll see what sort of load it is. if not, I guess it is all for the bin.

[bradaz11]

norma.support@ruag.com

Redcat

thanks!

[bradaz11]

norma say;

Hello you,

Thank you for reaching out to Norma. Unfortunately I can’t determine for sure if these rounds have bee loaded at Norma or not. The majority of handgun products were cancelled in the 70’s with some 9mm still in production until end of the 80’s. Knurled cases have indeed only been used for proof ammunintion.

Due to high risk of body injurry or destruction of the gun I strongly recomend to not shoot this ammo.

Stay safe!

Med vänlig hälsning / Best regards

Bozena Harbander

[Sim G]

As we pretty much thought. Pull them, used the primed cases and bullets with your powder of choice and jobs’ a good ‘un!

[bradaz11]

Well on inspection, they are 2.9gr of unique, behind a 148gr Keith style swc.
Speer give a range of 2.8-3.1 for a 158gr swc.
So the loads look good.
So I may just pull, weigh and reseat these, if pulling isn't killing the bullets

[bradaz11]

Actually, they are 2.9gr of bullseye,
Speer give a range of 2.2-2.4 for a 158gr swc.

So that's a big nope from me. I thought it was unique but I figured I'd just check, and no, it's bullseye

[bradaz11]

That was for the Norma cases. The geco looks factory. They have a powder I don't recognise, that's square with a greenish tinge. The bullets are 145gr hollow base round nose. And they are loaded at 2.3grs, very uniform over the sample. Primer pockets look brand new. If say these are factory.

[Sim G]

A couple of hundred rounds one way or another, I’d pull them all and pour the powder in the pot plants.

[bradaz11]

yup. bit galling as I gave some money towards the widow for them. I may as well have put it towards primers to begin with. not sure what he was using to resize the cases either as they all look a bit strange.

what is the best way to pull them? kinetic hammer? I have a press mounted collet puller but it won't grip on these as they are SWC

[Sim G]

Aye, kinetic hammer. When pulling lead bullets, I’d rather do several “taps” than one big hit. I found it protects the bullet when released from the case.

One day I’ll have to tell you about the 500 9mm I had to pull one time!!!