Arisaka Type 44

[Ivy Mike]

I inherited my grandfathers gun collection a couple years back and have a bubba-ized Arisaka T44. The folding bayonet is gone and its mount ground off. The bolt handle has been bent down and wood removed from the stock. The original sling swivels are gone as well. Its still a functional shooter though.

Now, do I have it rechambered for 6.5x55, or is that just going too far?

 

[R.W.Dale]

I'ed do one of these three things BEFORE going through the trouble of rechambering

1. buy some reloading dies and some 6.5x50 brass from Grafs and reload

2. hang it on the wall and tell your granchildren stories about it.

3. sell it and put the money tward a modern rifle chambered for 6.5x55

4. rechamber

 

[Ivy Mike]

1. I don't reload and have no real desire to. Milsurp is cheap and gives me the savings I need to shoot non-milsurp stuff.

2. Pictures get hung on walls. Guns are for shooting...and I hate kids.

3. If I got a modern rifle it would be in a bigger caliber.

4. I still like 4 the best.

Basically, the gun has already been beat on and changed. The action is fine and the bore is pretty clean. I won't be able to restore it easily and if its going to remain bubba'd, it may as well shoot a more modern and fun caliber.

 

[blackedoutharley]

WHOA THERE TIGER!

Dont do anything other than clean it and shoot it!
I too have a type 44 calvary carbine that my grandfather brought back however it is in unmodified condition and it's a shooter.

Factory Norma ammo is about $40-$46 per 20 but I found these guys at the Reno Gun show late last year and their stuff is nice. $17 per 20! It is still kinda expensive but is a hoot to shoot!

Metallic Cartriges Specialties
Robert Riddervold
P.O. Box #60177
Reno, Nev. 89506
775-232-8034

The 6.5x50 Jap stuff I bought from them was in Graff brass and they will do exchanges for loaded ammo with your brass.
Unfortunately, sporterized Japanese rifles seem to have very little resale value but I seem to gravitate towards stuff others don't tend to have as evidenced by my former ownership of a "Streetsweeper" shotgun.

 

[Ivy Mike]

$17 for 20 is nearly double what Sportsman's Guide is asking for Wolf Gold.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=244624

While mine isn't heavily modified, it is not original and as such, I don't see a reason to pretend that it is.

I'm kinda curious why you think I shouldn't change the cartridge its chambered for?

 

[R.W.Dale]

Why? cuse it would be a complete waste of money. A reamer would cost about $90, a set of headspace gauges will run about $45, Getting a gunsmith to open up the bolt face and ream the chamber another $100. That's $235 bucks spent on a rifle that has a value of mabye $90. You can buy a Handi rifle in 30-06 for about $220 or a bolt action stevens for $250

 

[Ivy Mike]

Guns are a waste of money in general. I don't need all the weapons I own. I could have spent that money investing in something. I could certainly get by with only my CZ75B and my Mosin-Nagant M44.

I spent it because I enjoy shooting and another rifle in a more popular cartridge is fun. If what you say is true, I'd have a neat rifle in 6.5x55 for about the same cost as buying a handi-rifle in .30-06 (I already own a nice 03A3) or a Stevens for slightly more.

The history behind the rifle is still there, its just been adapted to be more useful.

 

[Ivy Mike]

A little more reading says that the 6.5x55 may not be the way to go, but .260 Remington would be much easier and less costly.
Easy way to get some new life out an old rifle.

Nevermind, decided not to do anything with the rifle.