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Thread: Reloading the 7.7 Arisaka

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  1. #1
    Iron Pumping Bastard aliceinchains's Avatar

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    Reloading the 7.7 Arisaka

    Well we have the option of using 30-06 brass which is longer . The shoulder gets set back rather hard during resizing so annealing is a must. And the case must be trimmed downed down a lot to make AOL.

    8X57 mauser can be used but the brass is more expensive. However the brass needs to be worked much less to be resized.


    With that said i would like some input from you gentleman who have reloaded with either type brass.
    I am sitting in my angry chair!

  2. #2
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    Back after I got my first T-99 I passed-out from the cost of Norma ammo (all that was available) so I did what an old guy at the gun show told me and picked-out some of my .30-06, .270 and .25-06 brass for conversion. The latter two were a lot more trouble than it was worth, so I now stick with .30-06 milsurp brass.

    Things work better if they're resized first before trimming, and then punching the primers and sizing the necks just before tumbling. I use an RCBS case trimmer with a 1/2" drive electric drill to turn the spindle. Way too much work if turned by hand. Some people cut the excess-off usung a tube cutter but that can be wasteful of labor and good brass if cut too short.

    I also use surplus 7.62 X 54R or .303 Brit bullets instead of commercial products unless I want better terminal performance for hunting or something like that. Some actions feed the surplus FMJ's better too.

  3. #3
    Senior Member fingolfen's Avatar

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    Honestly - I picked up a sh*tload of purpose made 7.7mm Japanese when it hit the market a few years ago. Unfortunately it all seems to be gone at this point.

    I still stink at reforming cases, so it costs more but I stick with the purpose build stuff.

    That being said - there's a recipe in Handloader magazine I'm dying to try that supposedly matches the actual WW2 load.
    Mike

    "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

    "ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ" - King Leonidas I of Sparta

  4. #4
    Iron Pumping Bastard aliceinchains's Avatar

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    Quote Originally Posted by fingolfen View Post
    Honestly - I picked up a sh*tload of purpose made 7.7mm Japanese when it hit the market a few years ago. Unfortunately it all seems to be gone at this point.

    I still stink at reforming cases, so it costs more but I stick with the purpose build stuff.

    That being said - there's a recipe in Handloader magazine I'm dying to try that supposedly matches the actual WW2 load.




    Hey can you post the recipe fingolfen.
    I am sitting in my angry chair!

  5. #5
    Senior Member fingolfen's Avatar

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    You bet...

    Usual legal disclaimers here - I do not recommend or instruct anyone to use these loads, the source is Handloader magazine, August 2008 issue... not responsible for typos, damage, injury, etc.

    They give 4 loads for Japanese rifles.

    6.5mm Japanese

    140 grain Sierra hollowpoint boat tail
    34.0 Grains Varget powder
    Provides a velocity of 2536 fps

    140 grain Sierra spitzer
    39.0 grains of IMR-4350
    Provides a velocity of 2490 fps


    7.7mm Japanese

    174 grain Sierra hollowpoint boat tail
    45.0 Grains Varget powder
    Provides a velocity of 2404 fps

    180 grain Sierra spitzer
    50.0 grains of IMR-4350
    Provides a velocity of 2430 fps


    Norma brass was used with winchester standard Large Rifle primers.
    Mike

    "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

    "ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ" - King Leonidas I of Sparta

  6. #6
    Iron Pumping Bastard aliceinchains's Avatar

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    Thanks Mike! I have yet to use the Varget powder. IMR-4350 i have had excellent accuracy with.
    I am sitting in my angry chair!

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