Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing 6.5 Arisaka to .260 Rem.?

A friend has a sporterized 6.5 Arisaka which retains the original chambering. It is nicely done but he has had some difficulty extracting fired cases. I fired the rifle with a factory load and didn't have the same extraction problem but noticed a slight bulge on the base and definite scratches on the body of the case. I polished the chamber in an attempt to prevent the case scratching but the effort was unsuccessful. After comparing specifications and visually examining cases from both the 6.5 Japanese and .260 Remington, it appears that a re-chamber job to the .260 Rem. might be a viable solution to the problem. Does this seem a good solution or am I just hoping? I've done a few chambering jobs before, but those were using uncut blanks. Thanks for your thoughts.
RH

6.5 Jap bore diameters are all over the place. A replacement barrel would be better

You are correct. Three of mine vary from .264 to .269".
This one slugged at.264" so it should be okay at that end. The friend simply wants to spend as little as is possible, so this project does not warrant a new barrel.Thanks for the response.RH

A lot of 6.5 Arisakas were rechambered to 6.5-257 Roberts after WW2 and I think that RCBS may still list dies for that wildcat, so this might be a better choice than the 260, since it is a well proven successful conversion.

6.5x55?

I bought a Type 99 in 7.7 sporterized for $125 two weeks ago.
I have re barrelled to 257 Roberts.

That was easy work on the lathe and mill.

I ordered a Timney trigger with safety.






Now I am working on the pillars.

Then I will make scope bases.

My very 1st deer rifle was a 6.5-257 R. in 1964 and I have one now (as well as reloading dies). I have considered both that and the 6.5 x 55 Swede but again looking at the cases and schematics, it seems a .260 would be just the ticket since every dimension on the .260 is just slightly larger than those of the 6.5 Jap.(other than the case rim diameter). I'm asking if anyone on the 'fire has done the conversion or knows that it should not be done. Thanks again for the responses, RH.

Arisaka chambers are sometimes overly large and slightly bulged cases are very common.

I think EVERY 6.5X50 chamber is oversized and bulge brass. Most seem to be out of round oversized.

6.5X57 works fine, but careful work with the 260 should take care of the odd chamber and dies are readily available.

I also do not think they ever cleaned a barrel as all I have ever seen (6.5) are dark.
I did see one exception, and I still regret not buying what I think was an unfired Type 38 Carbine in "perfect conditiion" with walnut stock.

Two piece, but walnut.

If you do rechamber to .260, please keep us apprised. It is a conversion I have considered myself - I am interested in how well feeding, etc. goes.

I've often thought of doing that same conversion to mine. However, after finding some Jap dies I convinced myself it would be a fine rifle and cartridge as is. I had some old Norma 220 swift brass that would no longer size down to grip a .224 bullet, running them into the Jap FL sizer and trimming to length has provided me with a sufficient supply of brass, plenty enough for the infrequent shooting of this rifle that I do.

Awhile back there was an Arisaka Type 38 that had been rechambered to 6.5RM on one of the websites. I would rather opt for 260REM

Here's some info from mausercentral....

Link

Thanks,
RH

Years ago,I sportorized one and put $60 Numerich barrel on it in 270.

I went out and killed a nice Rocky MTn Bighorn ram with it ,the gave it to my niece.

I wouldn't do it again.Those big clumsy knurled safety buttons on the back of the bolt do not lend themselves well to scope mounting. The scope fits,but getting the safety on and off is a little tedious.

I can see where a .260 is desirable, but I had 6.5x57 dies and 7mm Mauser brass on hand when my 2nd Arisaka came along.

I bought a re-chambered and sporterized 6.5-257 at a local gun show. I then ordered a 6.5x57 chambering reamer, carefully opened up the chamber, drilled and tapped it, mounted a scope and took her to the range.

The trigger was replaced with a Timney and side safety. The Arisaka safety stays on FIRE, and its all cradled in a nice piece of French walnut that everyone is jealous of.

It's no bench rest rig, but it will keep 3 129gr. Hornady's inside of 1 1/2 inches at 100 yds. Additionally, it will spit those bullets at near .270 velocities.

I saw one in a pawn shop one time that had been rechambered to 260 but I didn't pay much attention to it as I wasn't interested in it, I would think it should be doable.

I think that your idea to clean up the chamber with the slightly larger .260 Remington case in theory is a good one.....if done correctly (as others have mentioned) it should work fine. I have the 6.5X57 either this or the 6.5X55 would work also - all of them are excellent cartridges.

I, like 3584BEAR, installed a Timney trigger with the side safety and do not have to contend with one of the most ill-conceived rifle safeties (for sporting use) devised by man???

Good luck,
PennDog

PennDog,
Thanks for your comments.
I'm thinking it's time to proceed.
Yes, dreadful safety arrangement.
RH