[The Dutchman]

A friend gave it to me, it has a low serial no, sporterized, I think rebarreled (a270 bullet rolls around in the barrel and a 30.06 just doesn’t fit so it is bigger then a 6.5 ).
Any ideas guys ?

 

[Cyrano]

The bolt makes it look like an Arisaka.

 

[rugrat]

From the first two pics, all I see is two big feet!

 

[quavodus]

Did you try and measure the groove diameter at the muzzle? That would give you a bore diameter. That would at least be a start. You think bore diameter is bigger than a .270 (actually .277")?

 

[PaleHawkDown]

Do you have a top view of the rifle with all the important marks, and a good view of the sight?

 

[runfiverun]

that makes it @ 7mm.
I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't have an Arisaka with a 7x57 barrel screwed on it.


many of the 6.5 rifles were converted to 6.5X257 or sleeved down to 257 Roberts.
I've seen the 7.7 versions done in everything from 300 savage up through 0-6 over the years.
the 7x57 would have been a good safe recommendation back in the day.

 

[rando]

A friend gave it to me, it has a low serial no, sporterized, I think rebarreled (a270 bullet rolls around in the barrel and a 30.06 just doesn’t fit so it is bigger then a 6.5 ).
Any ideas guys ?

Looks like a type 99 Arisaka in 7.7 MM

 

[rando]

May not be a type 38. I have not seen any of these rebarreled myself. I have seen the type 99 reworked to 3006 as many were back in the day. The pics are blurry and hard to see. Is the barrel replaced and does it have any marks or stampings on it.

 

[PaleHawkDown]

Looks like a type 99 Arisaka in 7.7 MM

That would be my guess, too, but we do not have a top view of the rifle.

 

[The Dutchman]

Here is what I think, it is a 38, it has been rebarreled, they used the original stock, but reworked it.
The mum was ground down and that area was redone real well, nice finish.
I refinished the stock, it was painted geen and reblued it. I know you’re supposed to leave them alone, but it was such a mess to begin with.
I hope it is a good shooter, I’ll find a 7x57 to see if that’s the right caliber.

 

[The Dutchman]

The first picture has a 30.06 stuck in the barrel, it almost fits, the 270 is quite a bit too small.
Total length of the gun is 42”, barrel length is 22.5” and the rifling is good.

 

[The Dutchman]

Better barrel picture.

 

[ChaZam]

The best and safest way to identify that chamber is by using some Cerosafe (available from Brownell's and other sources) to make a chamber casting. Here's a video that shows that process being used on a barrel. It is a little more difficult doing it on a barrel that is still attached to the action, but it is possible.
**************

 

[rando]

The barrel may have been replaced or even metal removed a bit with a lathe. Thing is it still has a military front sight. Tells me its military at least

 

[K75RT]

Looks like the barrel was set back judging by the gap between the barrel shoulder and the stock...I believe that might have been done so that the shortened barrel could be rechambered to what ever it is presently chambered in

 

[rando]

I was wondering why the wood was missing from inside the stock a few inches forward of barrel threads? This is strange like metal was there before. If it was a 6.5 then many were rechambered to 257 Roberts I believe.

 

[K75RT]

I had one in my shop years ago that was done like this, it was a 7.7 that was rechambered to .300 Savage. The chamber had to be shorted to allow the barrel to be rechambered...I remember the owner telling me he loaded it with .303 bullets and it shot well...he had to have the dies adjusted for the larger diameter bullet...I have also seen the Jap 6.5 rechambered to 6.5 Swede, iirc it is basically going into the chamber with a 6.5 Swede reamer and cut until you reach headspace...

 

[Cyrano]

I think starting with a chamber casting is the best way to go.

 

[The Dutchman]

I was wondering why the wood was missing from inside the stock a few inches forward of barrel threads? This is strange like metal was there before. If it was a 6.5 then many were rechambered to 257 Roberts I believe.

Same spot on both sides and both tangs, they used oak.

 

[K75RT]

Yup, as ChaZam and Cyrano state..the only true way of knowing the chambering is to do a casting...let us know what you find out, please.