Arisaka T-38 Sporters

Pathfinder

Pathfinder

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This thread is not exactly for the milsurp purist but considering the origin of the rifle I figured I would post here.

Since reading Ackley's book Ive always been curious about these rifles and Ive had one of these fall in to my lap recently.

first of all the stock seems to be a custom walnut, nothing special. could be nice with a little tlc.

the Mum is intact and the barrel seems original but its 24.5" and its been rechambered to 6.5-257 Roberts

After a bit of reseach I found out that these would have been captured in the field and brough home as souvenirs....after a while the guys wanted to shoot them but had no 6.5 jap brass so had the chamber reamed to 257 Roberts which created something like the 6.5x57 (just a slightly different shoulder angle). I already reload for 6.5x55 so its not a big stretch for me to form 7x57 cases........I actually found an 6.5x257 FL die on ebay for a paltry sum compared to what rcbs or lee would charge me to make one.

. Not sure of the origin of front site but the rear is a lyman receiver sight..aperture seems fairly big but I imagine it would acquire targets fairly quickly.

the bore leaves something to be desired but may still have anough rifling to shoot, difficult to tell since I broke my cleaning rod and Ive only begun to clean it. I might have to source out another barrel...not sure how difficult it would be find a T-38 or have an aftermarket one fitted (threads) .

- the trigger is not great but not much creep compared to other military rifles which are often two stage. The Safety is just weird and Im not even sure it works properly (pull and twist ?) Ive got it to engage probably just needs a big more cleaning. If this things shoots fairly well I may put in an aftermarket to lighten things up. (timney)

Suggestions ? thoughts ? Anybody have a 6.5 jap barrel ? :)
 
Barrel threads not a problem. No reason to re-barrel to same caliber. Could be 6.6x55, 7x57 or 260Rem, for example.

To do this cheaply, look up the shank diameter and see what commercial barrels are larger. P17 probably is and there should be others. Find one of those barrels that some one has taken off, re-thread the shank and away you go.
 
Try the rifle out first, my friend, before you go spending great bags of money on it.

Those original Nip barrels had METFORD rifling, 4 grooves, which has a tendency to look completely shot-out when, in reality, it is very good and very tight. Same thing with the old Lee-Metfords: even one almost brand-new looks completely washed-out but they sure shoot nice.

I find that the Metford rifling in the Ari works very well, but requires a soft-jacketed bullet. I tried some Svedish Match bullets that had really HARD jackets. They shoot wonderfully in my '96 Swede but, in the Ari, they actually explode about 20 feet downrange. You end up with a 10-yard by 20-yard group at 200, which ain't the finest shootin' in these parts. But the Ari works well with softer jackets, shoots on a nickel at 145..... and it appears completely worn-out.

Just thought I would pass this along.

Nice toy.

Do have fun.
 
I was definitly going to shoot it before spending another nickel. Thanks for the tips about the bullets I was going to try 140 gr. Matchkings I had no other use for but I may end up using some of my SP's instead.

If I do end up rebarreling I woudl likely go with something that would not need any changes to the magazine and bolt face/extractor .

A good cleaning session this weekend and then some fun next week.
 
Just thinking......

6.5 Jap has the same rim and base diameter, almost same length as the .220 Swift. Load a Swift down a bit (say, 3750 - 3800 ft/sec) and your barrel will last a long time. They still tend to wear barrels quickly if you run them at 4k!

Something to think on...
 
the barrel is likely fine with the original eliptical style rifling appears worn out.....They make a nice .257 Bob or 7x57.Or anything from the .308 case family for that matter.A takeoff barrel would be the most economical route provided it's lrg enough in the shank.The Japs made some in 7x57 for the Mexicans who defaulted on paying for them so they didn't get the second shipment......................Harold
 
smellie said:
Just thinking......

6.5 Jap has the same rim and base diameter, almost same length as the .220 Swift. Load a Swift down a bit (say, 3750 - 3800 ft/sec) and your barrel will last a long time. They still tend to wear barrels quickly if you run them at 4k!

Something to think on...
Click to expand...

its a good idea....I like 22 centerfires. Hopefully it will shoot as is.
 
smellie said:
I find that the Metford rifling in the Ari works very well, but requires a soft-jacketed bullet. I tried some Svedish Match bullets that had really HARD jackets. They shoot wonderfully in my '96 Swede but, in the Ari, they actually explode about 20 feet downrange. You end up with a 10-yard by 20-yard group at 200, which ain't the finest shootin' in these parts. But the Ari works well with softer jackets, shoots on a nickel at 145..... and it appears completely worn-out.

Just thought I would pass this along.

Nice toy.

Do have fun.
Click to expand...

I got to experience that first hand, not that I didnt' believe you but I want to try. Sierra Matchkings Keyhole at 25 yards :). I needed to fireform some brass anways. Ill try some gamekings and 85gr. varmint bullets this weekend. If they neither refuse to shoot Ill have to investigate the possibilty of having someone thread and twist on a take off barrel .
 
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