Does anyone load the 6.5 jap with cast?

[brstevns]

I have the use of a RCBS 140gr 6.5 mould and would like to try it in my 6.5 Arisaka . Has anyone tried this bullet and how did it work out? My bore measured .268 and I beagled the mold to .270

[madsenshooter]

I haven't yet, but it's on my list of things to do. Got a big 160gr roundnose that NOE sold. Swede made it large enough to fit about any 6.5 bore, bands are .270. I need a .269 size die for my .268 bore Type I rifle, but the two 6.5x257 sporters have small bores that I can size .266. Another thing that's delaying me is the fact that my seating die won't allow a bullet larger that .264 to pass though it. Round to it, I'll get round to it. Oops, wasn't awake yet, didn't fully read your post, haven't tried that bullet.

[brstevns]

I haven't yet, but it's on my list of things to do. Got a big 160gr roundnose that NOE sold. Swede made it large enough to fit about any 6.5 bore, bands are .270. I need a .269 size die for my .268 bore Type I rifle, but the two 6.5x257 sporters have small bores that I can size .266. Another thing that's delaying me is the fact that my seating die won't allow a bullet larger that .264 to pass though it. Round to it, I'll get round to it. Oops, wasn't awake yet, didn't fully read your post, haven't tried that bullet.

Everything helps, even if you are not loading the RCBS bullet. I did not think about the seating die? I will have to check that out.

[Ed in North Texas]

snip I need a .269 size die for my .268 bore Type I rifle, but the two 6.5x257 sporters have small bores that I can size .266. Another thing that's delaying me is the fact that my seating die won't allow a bullet larger that .264 to pass though it. snip .

Thanks for the warning. What brand of dies are you using? I'm about to start loading for the 6.5x50. I guess the answer to your situation is to ream the seating die 5 thousandths larger. Someone must be around to do it if we can't do it ourselves.

Ed

[bruce drake]

I reload for 6.5 Arisaka.

I use Lyman's 140gr Loverin 266469 lubed with BAC Carnauba Red and thankfully the bore of my rifle (My other T38 is rechambered for 260 Rem) is small enough I can size at .267 and get passable accuracy at 50 yards using 9gr of Red Dot with either 35 Rem or 220 Swift reformed cases.

I made the mistake of putting on a civilian Timney trigger on this Arisaka and its too touchy for anything but single shot bench shooting. I've two gunsmiths try to adjust the trigger to a safer trigger pull but its still too light to be very comfortable using the rifle for hunting.

I use the same load in the T38 in 260 Rem and with it's horrible trigger pull I still can get good groups.

I need to take the two in one day to make one good rifle out of the two...

Bruce

[brstevns]

On the seating die, I was thinking why not use a larger die like a 308 win etc to seat bullets.
Looking for both a plinking load and hunting load. Most shots under 75 yards for small whitetail deer.
I have made brass from 35 rem and they seem to work better then factory Norma brass.

[madsenshooter]

Ed, my seating die was an old CH, I don't know about other brands. I've formed brass from GI 7.62x51, and used Krag brass, which is a lot less work. I've not tried any of the commercial stuff available, other than the undersized Norma, which prompted me into my brass forming experiments several years ago. Odd, I formed a bunch of it, but have shot few of them. Other endeavors...

[rhbrink]

I had a 7.62 X 54R die honed out by David Wilson, he did a excellent job very reasonable and fast he can be reached at fc60net@comcast.net.

Richard

[Larry Gibson]

On the seating die, I was thinking why not use a larger die like a 308 win etc to seat bullets.
Looking for both a plinking load and hunting load. Most shots under 75 yards for small whitetail deer.
I have made brass from 35 rem and they seem to work better then factory Norma brass.

I've honed out my 6.5 Hornady seater die for over size (.268) cast bullets but I use a 7x57 seater to seat the over size cast and jacketed (.268/.269) bullets in my 6.5 Jap which has been short chambered using a 6.5 swede reamer for use with .308W cases; basically a 6.5-.308 (260 Rem). The Swede chamber/case has more taper and feeding is 100% reliable from the magazine. Anyways back when I used Norma 6.5 Jap cases I figured out the 7x57 seater for the oversize bullets.

Larry Gibson

[Chris Smith]

I have a Type I and have never slugged the bore but it shoots jacketed bullets quite well. With cast bullets it will lead the barrel unless gas checks are used regardless of powder charge. I have the Lyman 266673 mold (150 grains) and it works ok but seems to run out of lube in the long barrel. There is another design by Lyman that I should have bought instead. It's the Loverin style and has lots more lube groves. I'll get to it some day though.

[Ed in North Texas]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. When I get a round tuit, I'll be using the Prvi cases from Graf. I'm not sure whether Madsenshooter was saying the 7.62 brass was easier than the Krag, or vice-versa. I suspect he meant the rimless 7.62 was less work than turning the rim down on the .30-40 brass and forming the remaining case.

[madsenshooter]

Actually Ed, the 7.62 was more work. Swage the head, form through .308, 7/08, 6.5 jap. Trim, chamfer, in some cases neck turn. I took out an ad in the American Rifleman selling them as better fitting 6.5 jap brass, and in the end, was glad I didn't get many orders. Wasn't long afterwards that Hornady started selling theirs and thankfully put me out of business. Turning the rims down on the .303 or 30/40 (303 is easier to find and requires less trimming) wasn't hard, I just chucked them in a drill and ran them on a file. I'd get the PRVI too, if I didn't already have a bunch of my formed ones. Incidentally, I wrote Norma once about their undersized brass, they started loading their ammo on the .303 case head size, but nobody has been able to find any other than the undersized ones as components. I can't help but wonder how many rifles were condemned as having headspace problems when the problem was in the brass. Mine nearly was.

[Ed in North Texas]

Madsenshooter,

Thanks for the info, though I have 100 Prvi cases already, and will get more soon (I believe in stocking up as I've seen lots of stuff I thought I'd have plenty of time to obtain disappear from the marketplace). I was thinking lathe for "turning" the rims, forgot the simple answer.

[Ed in North Texas]

I've honed out my 6.5 Hornady seater die for over size (.268) cast bullets but I use a 7x57 seater to seat the over size cast and jacketed (.268/.269) bullets in my 6.5 Jap which has been short chambered using a 6.5 swede reamer for use with .308W cases; basically a 6.5-.308 (260 Rem). The Swede chamber/case has more taper and feeding is 100% reliable from the magazine. Anyways back when I used Norma 6.5 Jap cases I figured out the 7x57 seater for the oversize bullets.

Larry Gibson

And someone from another 6.5x50 thread mentioned the use of a .270 seater, though it may be too long. As I was cruising for .270 dies, I suddenly had the flash (lightbulb please) - I have 6.8 SPC dies, which have to be short enough to do the job.

Ed

[Twmaster]

Great thread. I've got an Arisaka Type 38 that has been rechambered in 6.5-257 Roberts. I've been reloading for a few months and now want to get into casting. This is the sort of info I needed for my rifle.

Thanks! Just need to find dies for it....

[bruce drake]

Great thread. I've got an Arisaka Type 38 that has been rechambered in 6.5-257 Roberts. I've been reloading for a few months and now want to get into casting. This is the sort of info I needed for my rifle.

Thanks! Just need to find dies for it....

If you don't mind paying for new, 6.5x57 Dies from RCBS are considered Group D dies and if you scroll about 3/4 of the way down on the link, you can order them yourself.

http://www.huntingtons.com/dies_reloading.html

Bruce

[Twmaster]

The 6.5x57 dies are not the same. Unfortunately. The 6.5x57 Mauser is significantly different from the 6.5-257 Roberts.

[madsenshooter]

No they're not the same, but the 6.5x57 dies will get you close enough that the camming power of the bolt will size the shoulder the rest of the way. Positive headspace. I didn't know which of the two my Jap sporters had been chambered for, and got the 6.5x57 dies because they were significantly cheaper.

[Twmaster]

Thanks for the tip. C&H has dies for the 6.5-257 Bob that are not too spendy. Might just go that route. If not a buddy has a set of the 6.5x55 dies I can borrow.

[brstevns]

Thanks for the tip. C&H has dies for the 6.5-257 Bob that are not too spendy. Might just go that route. If not a buddy has a set of the 6.5x55 dies I can borrow.

Twmaster 6.5x55 is a differenr breed. different shoulder angle etc. The 6.5x57 would work as stated if you cannot get the 6.5- 257 roberts die.

[Twmaster]

eh. That was a typo... I meant 6.5x57... Thanks for catching that. Would not want somebody to get the wrong idea!

[smokemjoe]

I just starting to shoot my 38, with the RCBS 145 gr. 16 grs. of 2400 isnt good, 6 in.looks like loads of 25 gr. 4895 so far are about 3-4 in. - 100 yds. my bore is .265 and shooting .265, thats the way I got the bullets , I think more Vel. and it will do good.

[brstevns]

I just starting to shoot my 38, with the RCBS 145 gr. 16 grs. of 2400 isnt good, 6 in.looks like loads of 25 gr. 4895 so far are about 3-4 in. - 100 yds. my bore is .265 and shooting .265, thats the way I got the bullets , I think more Vel. and it will do good.

Is that the RCBS 140 gr SL.. bullet? The mould I use drops them .266 but had to beagle it up to .269 for use in my .268 bore.

[Twmaster]

I just slugged my Type 38. It's smack between .264 and .265! :D

Now to save up for boolit casting goodies!

[brstevns]

I just slugged my Type 38. It's smack between .264 and .265! :D

Now to save up for boolit casting goodies!

That's great, I wish mine was that small. You should have no problems finding a good mould for yours.