Arisaka type 38

[sonno1]

Have this Jap 6.5mm that was sporterized with a Reinhard Fajen stock, bolt replaced with one having handle turned for clearance of scope, and drilled and tapped for standard scope mounts. My problem is that ammo is getting ridiculously expensive and a gunsmith recently informed that the replacement bolt allows just a little too much head-space allowing for some excessive swelling at the base of spent cartridge cases rendering such cases unsafe for re-loading. The gunsmith seemed to indicate that the barrel could be removed, milled, and re-seated in order to remedy the excessive head-space. But I'm wondering if maybe I'ld be better off to re-barrel to something like the 7mm-08 or .284 winchester and not have to even hassle with finding ammo for this otherwise very rugged rifle. Thanks for any timely advice. sonno1

 

[hoghunting]

I have a 38 that was rechambered to 6.5x257 Roberts. It uses the 257 Roberts case necked up to .264. Why not see if your 'smith will rechamber to the 260 Remington? It's pretty much the same as I am using, but you can buy commercial ammo for the 260.

 

[Jim K]

Why not just rechamber to 6.5x55? You don't even need any bolt work, maybe a little trimming on the follower.

Jim

 

[HSMITH]

6.5-284 if it were me, great cartridge for anything you might want to do with a light rifle.

 

[Clark]

One can get very nicely sporterized Arisakas rebarrelled to 300 Sav for ~$75 in pawn shops and gun shows.

The barrels are typically two groove 1903 Springfields, re chambered.

I have bought a few of them, because the peep sight is worth the $75.

 

[GreyMauser]

Frank C Barnes "Cartridges of the World" RIP, FWIW

To solve the ammunition problem,some 6.5mm Arisaka rifles have been rechambered to the wildcat 6.5-257 Roberts, which makes a fine conversion.