Arisaka 6.5 converted to 7.62x39

In an amazing flurry this week I have added both an Arisaka rifle and carbine of that conversion to my collection :p. An intresting note between the two is both magazines have been converted differently to accept the round. My question is how much stress would a 7.62 x 39 round be on the rechambered rifle? I'll be test firing both this week with my rig and wonder,not really being familiar with the Russian 7.62x39, is it more or less stress than the 6.5mm.

The rifle had a pristene mum as well and I understand them(The Rifle) to be much rarer...

Thanks for any input..


Old Joe

Yes it would be considerably more strain, if you use factory ammo. CIP pressure figures for the 7.62x39 are about 20% higher than for the 6.5x51R. So I would not use factory ammo, but go to a Moisin-Nagant forum and look for tips on downloading the 7.62x39 and using a slower powder. The Arisaka rifle barrel is considerably longer than a Kalaschnikow, which may explain why CIP gives a higher muzzle energy for the Arisaka. So also take a sideways look at which powder others use for the 7.7mm Arisaka, with a similar barrel/bore relationsship (but a much larger case), and after that, it's your judgement and your responsibility.

I hope your rifle was properly proofed after the conversion....

Patrick

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Patrick Chadwick

Yes it would be considerably more strain, if you use factory ammo. CIP pressure figures for the 7.62x39 are about 20% higher than for the 6.5x51R. So I would not use factory ammo, but go to a Moisin-Nagant forum and look for tips on downloading the 7.62x39 and using a slower powder. The Arisaka rifle barrel is considerably longer than a Kalaschnikow, which may explain why CIP gives a higher muzzle energy for the Arisaka. So also take a sideways look at which powder others use for the 7.7mm Arisaka, with a similar barrel/bore relationsship (but a much larger case), and after that, it's your judgement and your responsibility.

I hope your rifle was properly proofed after the conversion....

Patrick

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Great points Patrick and the rifle was certainly shot enough...I will run ten rounds through it in the test rig in succession with factory stuff. If there is no difficulties I will grab some dies ect for 7.62 x 39...(Oh no an excuse to get more dies..: ) )and figure some loads for it.

Thanks again..

Old Joe

I had a Vietnamese (Communist) conversion of a Type 38 that was given to me. Shot it once, observed the spent case, and promptly ruined it by trying a 5.56 conversion. Turns out they're fairly rare, but I didn't have a clue at the time. Currently, it's back to 7.72x39, but not as it was "as issued" to whatever low echelon peasant that had prove his loyalty.