Type 38 Arisaka

[Dutchman]

Import marked from China. Type 38 Arisaka. Nagoya Arsenal Series 27. Book says mfg 1920-1940. Mixed parts.

Problem with this rifle is it tumbles .266" cast bullets. I've loaded some .268" Ideal 266469 with 10 grs Unique. Will shoot it soon when I take out the Type 99. I've shot it with 20 rds Norma factory ammo. New brass is Graf and Norma.

https://images20.fotki.com/v1678/photos/4/28344/16487259/IMG_0371-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/arisaka/img-0371.html)

https://images20.fotki.com/v1678/photos/4/28344/16487259/IMG_0376-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/arisaka/img-0376.html)

https://images12.fotki.com/v1677/photos/4/28344/16487259/IMG_0377-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/arisaka/img-0377.html)

https://images46.fotki.com/v1682/photos/4/28344/16487259/IMG_0381-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/arisaka/img-0381.html)

https://images46.fotki.com/v1682/photos/4/28344/16487259/IMG_0382-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/arisaka/img-0382.html)

[Dutchman]

https://images20.fotki.com/v1678/photos/4/28344/16487259/IMG_0374-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/arisaka/img-0374.html)

https://images46.fotki.com/v1682/photos/4/28344/16487259/IMG_0384-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/arisaka/img-0384.html)

https://images14.fotki.com/v1676/photos/4/28344/16487259/IMG_0385-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/arisaka/img-0385.html)

https://images12.fotki.com/v1677/photos/4/28344/16487259/IMG_0386-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/arisaka/img-0386.html)

Took the rear sight ladder off to look into making a long eye relief scope mount but never did for this model.

https://images14.fotki.com/v1676/photos/4/28344/16487259/IMG_0387-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/arisaka/img-0387.html)

https://images15.fotki.com/v1674/photos/4/28344/16487259/IMG_0388-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/arisaka/img-0388.html)

Ideal 266469 .268" loaded with 10 grs Unique. Brass Graf & Norma.

https://images12.fotki.com/v1677/photos/4/28344/9430776/20201117_201509-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/crufflerstuff/bullet-casting/20201117-201509.html)

[stripper clip]

Great pictures! I would like to know more about how you make scope mounts for these.
Thanks in advance.

[Dutchman]

Great pictures! I would like to know more about how you make scope mounts for these.
Thanks in advance.

https://images49.fotki.com/v1556/photos/2/28344/6806565/DSCF8641aa-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/crufflerstuff/ler/dscf8641aajpg.html)

https://images46.fotki.com/v297/photos/2/28344/6806565/DSCF8647aa-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/crufflerstuff/ler/dscf8647aajpg.html)

The black mil-std-1913 rail is a inexpensive Marlin rail. You fabricate the insert for the rear sight base and then attach the scope rail. I never did finish this one because of a logistical problem. Circa 2009.

https://images14.fotki.com/v1643/photos/2/28344/6806565/DSCF8656aa-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/crufflerstuff/ler/dscf8656aajpg.html)

https://images12.fotki.com/v1557/photos/2/28344/6806565/DSCF8753aa-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/crufflerstuff/ler/dscf8753aajpg.html)

https://images20.fotki.com/v1678/photos/2/28344/6806565/DSCF8745aa-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/crufflerstuff/ler/dscf8745aajpg.html)

It helps to have a vertical milling machine.

https://images46.fotki.com/v374/photos/4/28344/7321255/DSCF3069fr-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/vintage_machine_tools/enco-mill/dscf3069fr.html)

[Dutchman]

I do all math longhand without calculator. And I keep these notes. This one is for Type 99.

https://images12.fotki.com/v868/photos/2/28344/6806565/DSCF8812qq-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/crufflerstuff/ler/dscf8812qq.html)

https://images12.fotki.com/v1557/photos/2/28344/6806565/DSCF8696aa-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/dutchman/crufflerstuff/ler/dscf8696aajpg.html)

[Harter66]

I had a good start with both an NOE 270-140 and a 266469 . I sized the 469 .265 and paper patched up to .272 . The 270-140 casts at .272 .

At this point I need all the help I can get the sights in GI trim are not easy for me to hold on point , figure out sight picture, and keep lined up......I think it's called "almost 60 out of practice" .

[iron brigade]

I use 10.5 grains of green dot and the Lyman 266673
Boolit drops at .267 from the mould and I powder coat with Eastwood ford light blue bringing the size to .269.

My type 38 was made around 1920 and has an excellent bore. she will do 2.5" @ 100 yards with that load.

[iron brigade]

Here she is at the range
304593
304594

[bedbugbilly]

I'm greatly enjoying this thread!

I STAND CORRECTED: I previously had posted that my two Type 38 rifles were very early production - this was based on information and Arsenal symbol drawings sent to me by a friend who collects MilSurp - he interchanged the identification of two different Arsenals. I have since received info from a Arisaka Rifle collector who has been collecting for 40 years and has a large collection, that my two Type 38s were actually made at the Mukden Arsenal (Manchuria) - That Arsenal did to make "Series" and the 2 digit and 3 digit serial numbers indicate that the were among the first made at the Mukden Arsenal in 1934. He stated that the two digit 5X was very likely made within the first couple of days of production. Still very nice rifles but I apologize for any misinformation I put out there as I was basing it on information provided to me.

I'm curious as to what your bores slug at" The rifles I have both slug out at .264 - I have several different Lyman/Ideal .266 molds that I'm going to size at .266. I also have a NOE 270-140 - haven't cast any in it as I can size them down to .266. I'm going to gas check and use Red Dot.

Dutch - that's a nice scope mount you worked out!

[405grain]

I was thinking the same thing as iron brigade: If the #266469 is casting small for your bore, try doing a shake-n-bake with some powder coat and see if that gets you a better fit. I've been powder coating 30 caliber #311299 and #311284, and that makes them just the right size for my 7.65x53. It's an easy way to make a bullet fatter.

[brstevns]

I would try to Beagle the mold to around .270 My model 38 carbine has a .268 bore. I paper patched up to .271 and beagle a Rcbs mold to throw .270 bullets. worked out great.