Type 38 Arisaka, reloading in the UK question.

[dromia]

Dave, sometimes its best to just ignore the good idea fairy.

[Satyruk]

Welcome Satyruk.

Why don't you introduce your self on the New Members Forum?

What did the bore/groove measurements come out at when you slugged your barrel?

When you have that information then we are in a position to make suggestions for your rifle.

Bore/groove diameters vary on these rifles, I have seen some shoot well with standard .264" condoms but others like the larger bullet, Hornady do a very good 160 gn .267" round nose soft point for the Carcano. They are expensive though and you will need a expanding ammunition variation for them on your FAC.

I would find out the actual diameter of the PPU Carcano bullet before spending money on them.

The preferred way to get these old guns to give of their best and keep them intact for future generations is to shoot cast bullets in them

[dromia]

??????

[Satyruk]

??????

Oh god stacks of typing gone, no idea why. Gist of it was thanks Dromia, I haven't got the Arisaka yet as the question of reloading has stalled me. I have used cast with mixed results but shoot up to 600 meters and have never seen anything except the 45s shoot cast that far.

I had considered the Carcano bullet for length of bearing surface - resized or undersized ppu, and just wondered if that was sensible and from your response it seems that some people are doing that in large bores at least.

May I ask what you have used beside cast?

[Alpha1]

Dave, sometimes its best to just ignore the good idea fairy.

Understood. Just trying to help a fellow shooter. I don't all ways get it right but I do try.

[dromia]

Yes I know Dave, sometimes you are trying. :lol: :lol:

[dromia]

Long time since I've played with Arisakas and jacketed as cast is always my bullet of choice for this type of rifle as it is much easier to get them to shoot well than to struggle with the lack of decent condom bullets, especially for oversize for calibre bores.

I seem to recall using a 160 gn or so round nose FMJ of indeterminable source that came in with a 6.5x54MS 1903 sporter, they were of the larger .267" diameter I think I might even have a handful left and I'll look them out when I get back to the armoury. I also have a vague memory of Molock bullets as well, but that could be just free floating thoughts rather than fact.

Regardless you won't know what bullet your looking for 'till you get the rifle and see what the barrel slugs at, however I think it will probably be bigger than smaller but each rifle is a law unto them selves.

RWS might be worth a look for oversize 6.5, again I can't remember and not being at home I can't check but I'm sure that the last batch of Carcano prvi I had used the standard .264" bullet, that is why I suggested you check.

Shooting cast accurately out to 600 yrds is easy as you only need 1800 fps or so (depending on boolit weight), good boolit fit to throat and the alloy isn't hard. Heavy for calibre boolits and slower powders work best.

[greenshoots]

in with a 6.5x54MS 1903 sporter, they were of the larger .267" diameter I think I might even have a handful left

pardon for being cheeky but i would be interested in some of them for my 1903 that im in the middle of buying

greenshoots

[mag41uk]

I think you can make 6.5 Arisaka brass from 220 swift which Remington make.
Sierra make a 140gn BTspitzer 264 bullet if that helps.
Personally,I would use cast bullets.
HTH
Tony

[dromia]

in with a 6.5x54MS 1903 sporter, they were of the larger .267" diameter I think I might even have a handful left

pardon for being cheeky but i would be interested in some of them for my 1903 that im in the middle of buying

greenshoots

If I can find them you can have them, as I said I only have a handful.