Arisaka in 38-55

[map55b]

I read in Roy Dunlaps book about putting the 25-35 Win in a Type 38. That got me thinking, always a bad idea....as I have enough projects. Since I am getting ready to put a Rolling Block in .38-55 why not do an Arisaka Type 38 in the same? He head fits almost perfectly on the bold and the original cartridge was semi rimmed. Has anyone ever seen an Arisaka chambered for a cartridge based on this case family.

BTY: The Arisaka action came from a poorly sporterized conversion, I will do all the machine work myself and would be doing it just for the fun of doing it. So no decent rifle will be harmed during this exercise and project cost is not a factor. Building rifles is like knitting to me. I don't build because I need more, I do it for fun and enjoy things that are odd/different.

[3006guns]

The only "official" type 38 caliber conversion I am aware of was 7 x 57 Mauser. These were contract rifles built by Japan for Mexico during their revolution and each rifle was emblazoned with the Mexican eagle on the receiver in place of the usual emperor's "mum". Quite the collector's item for Arisaka nuts like myself. Your conversion should be fun to play with when finished.

For future owner's safety be sure to stamp the caliber on the barrel, close to the receiver ring. Then, across the ring, stamp "Winchester Repeating Arms".....:)

[nagantguy]

Sounds like a great project, the arisaka is ovten over looked or looked down upon. Its a fairly good weapon system. I did for a time own a late "last ditch" example that I sold to a collecter with the understanding he would not fire it, it was rough and poorly built. Heard a rule eons back; don't fire a rifle mad by the losing side made late in the war. For the most part its a good guide line.

[map55b]

Thanks 3006Guns. I always stamp my rifles. In this case I might throat the chamber an extra ~.005 to accept the slightly longer (OAL) of the 375 Winchester and mark it .375 Win/.38-55 Ballard. :-) I'm not so sure about the "Winchester Repeating Arms" part I live down the street from William Winchesters widow and her spirit might not think this is too funny. ;-)

There are two on the bench a head of this to finish so it might be late summer before I start.

[runfiverun]

the 375 is a shorter case.

[map55b]

Thanks runfiver, I realize the case is ~.045 shorter, but the over all length is a few thou longer, I presume to handle longer bullets. Since it head spaces on the rim, I figure the throat length doesn't make a ton of difference, similar to shooting a .38SPL in a .357 Mag.

[runfiverun]

the 375 is designed around 120gr flat point bullets.

both of my lever guns will accept the 375449 just fine, but it has more to do with the nose shape and not so much the overall weight.

[blixen01]

I've got 2 Arisaka 99 sporters and I find your project interesting. I assume you are rebarreling, not reboring.

[map55b]

Correct Blixen01, it will be a new barrel. I have two .375 barrels left, one went to a 375H&H on a P14 that is currently on the bench and the others will be used for 38-55, one in a Rolling Block and one in the Arisaka. It was this article that gave me the idea. I figured if a 25-35 would work why its papa the 38-55.137687

[Buckshot]

..............Map55b, interesting project. I've done a few oddities in my time also.

http://www.fototime.com/3F99F55C9811736/standard.jpghttp://www.fototime.com/EF48A81FED28FD0/standard.jpg

A M1895 Steyr 8x56R conversion to 30-40 Krag

http://www.fototime.com/4CE0AE555332580/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/D84C26951C36B50/standard.jpg

MAS36 conversion to 45-70.

http://www.fototime.com/4FFDE36264BD077/standard.jpghttp://www.fototime.com/70FB3F38BF60C27/standard.jpg

Spanish Destroyer Carbine conversion to 45ACP

http://www.fototime.com/556E72EEF0E13E0/standard.jpghttp://www.fototime.com/C63630283B5CE53/standard.jpg

Not really conversions: ABOVE: A Brazilian M1894 action used for a 7.62x39 sporter, and BELOW: Another M94 Brazilian used for a 35 Rem sporter.

http://www.fototime.com/89E2F2C1A9E4DC7/standard.jpg http://www.fototime.com/AEC40C4BAA66E93/standard.jpg

You sound fairly accomplished so you're probably already aware that probably the most difficult part is in getting the rifle to reliably feed a cartridge shaped much differently then what it was originally designed to feed. Two of the ones I've shown above that gave me the most gas was the two small ring Mauser conversions. Due to the shorter length and body OD differences, the "Breakover" angle and presentation to the chamber were the issues. It's all fun, isn't it!?

................Buckshot

[Uncle R.]

Buckshot:
Very Cool!
Uncle R.

[map55b]

Nice work Buckshot!

I've done a few basic sporters, common stuff like a Mex 1910 in 22-250, Yugo 24/48 in 35 Whelen, P17 to 375 H&H, etc. Here are a few others I've done:

Carcano in 7.62x39 with a scope mount I made to accept a Weaver side mount. Its tall and off to the side to clear the clip, but it works and feels fine when mounting the rifle. I thinking of converting it to take a single stack AK mag.
138006

Here is a Siamese Mauser I did in 45-70. I modified things so I could use a commercial shroud and dished the front of the rear bridge to match the shape of the back (a little things, but looks nice).
138007

Here is a small frame Hopkins Allan that I converted from 32RF to 17 HMR. I had a make a new firing pin, added a firing pin return spring and had to make a new link to reposition block/firing in. I also made a new extractor. I also added/modified the scope mount for it. I still need to do wood and a few other things, its a work in progress. But fun and there aren't too many other kids on the block with one like it. :)
138008

I am actually planning on doing some of the same projects you mentioned. I have a 93 set up with a take of P14 barrel that is now chambered in 7.62x39, I have a 94 slated for 35 Rem and I have a demilled Steyr I was also planning to put in 30-40, but I'd like to either adapt a magazine to it or convert it to single shot.

I'm still learning as I go along, turning out some good stuff and plenty of mistakes.

[leebuilder]

Very cool Buckshot and map55b. Beautiful work, more ideas. Thanks for showing.

[blixen01]

Wow. Great.work, Buckshot.

[armstrong]

nice work...the MAS36 has me drooling...

[madsenshooter]

A 38-55 arisaka sounds real good to me, it and the 375 are now legal for deer here in Ohio. Feel like doing more than one?

[map55b]

I'd be happy to document what I do Madsenshooter, but I'm not set up to do work for others and I work kind of slow. :) I do have a pair of these action and can't decided yet what to do with the other. Of course there are plenty of projects to keep me busy. It takes me about 6-9 months to build a rifle in my spare time.

[madsenshooter]

I understand. I have three floating around here myself. One is a carbine only slightly sporterized, it'll stay in 6.5x50. Another one is a rifle that must've been some young guy's pet project back in the 50s or 60s, crudely done with "Smokey" carved into the Bishop stock, and finally another carbine extensively sporterized with a benchrest heavy mannlicher style stock that's too heavy for field carry. The latter two are 6.5x.257 now. Guess that means Smokey is the donor! Naw, in my case probably just another idea for a project that'll never get done, but an interesting thought none the less. A Krag could be made into a 38-55 also.

[map55b]

A Krag would be interesting too. I wonder if the ~.040 difference in rim would give you much trouble. With the arisaka, I'll have to open things up just a tad, but its easier to take material off and it can be challenging to put it on. :) I have one complete original arisaka and two actions and one complete Krag. I don't see too many junky krags for projects. I think most of this stuff dried up years ago. :(