Ariska converstion to 308

k.stanonik

Part of a estate that i recently purchased is a Ariska that has apparently been convert to fire 308, will the receiver be safe to fire like this or should i finsh mounting it to the stock and use is as a wall hanger

perry shooter

IMHO it depends on who and how the work was done The ARISKA is a strong action but during the 1950's and 1960's there were a lot of them converted to 30-06 and 257 Roberts Most people knew that some rifles were originally either 6.5 MM or 7.7 MM then comes along BUBBA and he reams out a 6.5 MM to take a 30-06 cartridge [:o)] bullet gets swagged down in the bore and GUN DOES NOT blow up [:0] did have fair amount of recoil. I for one would not like to test any conversion unless It was checked out first . The 308 case is shorter then the 7.7 Jap so without trying it as I don't have a ARISKA it may be possible to chamber a 308 in an unconverted rifle BUT I WOULD for sure NOT WANT TO FIRE it head space could be all over the place.

Fatstrat

Converting a 7.7MM T-99 to 30.06 was a fairly common practice. It was even done by the U.S. Govt. during the Korean War for use by S.Korea troops.
But the 7MM bore is oversize for for a .30cal bullet. The rifles will generally shoot fairly accurately only out to about 100 yrds. I have not heard of any .308 conversions personally. But IMO the T-99 action is strong enough to handle it if properly done.

DENWA

I have a 7.7 jap convert to 30-06.(Now I think its a crime to hack up old rifles but I paid $50 for this old wreak)

It shot fine out to 100 yds but the brass is no good after 1 shot.

the 7.7 Jap is fatter at the base and when you shoot 30-06 through it... well its very noticeable.

I don't shoot that rifle anymore.

king999

Converting a 7.7 J to .308 can be accomplished in three different ways.
1.Rebarrel with commercial bbl. The right way, but besides hurting history, you will be hurting your pocketbook. The conversion will likely be worth less than the original.

2 Remove bbl and set it back about 3/8", rethread, replace into action, and then ream to 308. Problems: you've still ruined a collectable item, the bore is oversize and accuracy will suffer, and again, not very economical.

3. Ream to 30/06 and insert US Navy adapter (30/06 - 308) This is the cheapest way.

None of thee ideas are great. Why not just shoot it as is. The 7.7 Arisaka round PROPPERLY LOADED is a superb hi-poweer item, actually somewhat more powerful than the .308. (I am aware that commercial loadings do not make the best use of this strong action.

k.stanonik

I should have stated differently the situation, the converstion has already been done, It is from a estate and the sellers survivor doesnt know who or when the converstion was done. Thank you all for the input and if i decide to fire it i will be having it inspected by a gunsmith that i trust.

v35

Yes the Arisaka is strong and has been tested at very high pressures.
Part of, if not the whole reason for its' strength is safety breeching
This feature protects the shooter and the rifle when brass lets go.
Headspace before and after the tests was not measured.
In one test a 35 Remington blew up a 7.7 in pieces.
I have personally and repeatedly, set back bolts in Army 30-06 arsenal conversions to the no-go 1.951 headspace condition with 500 rounds of M-1 ball.
This rifle was designed for about 37,000psi chamber pressure.
Years back the American Rifleman gave their blessing to this rifle and its' strength. General Hatcher also tested it with some blue pill loads. That was in the '40s 0r early '50s when there were a lot of hunters and few high power actions to convert.
At that time shooters didn't go through thousands of rounds at the range.
The Rifleman also did an evaluation of the Astra 400 pistol and qualified it with 9mm and 38 Super auto and other ammunition up to the 9mm x23 Largo also including the 380 ACP.
I wrote them recently asking to revaluate their endorsements which became bases for urban legend.

spec.4

You can get it rebarrel by ER Shaw if you want a hunting rifle. Cost about $200 if you don't reblue it. But add about $60-85 to have it blue. Not sure. Also later you can get an aftermarket stock and have fun.

Spec.4

Fatstrat

As far as destroying a historical collectible. Milsurps are generally only collectible if they are in original condition. Which for an Arisaka means intact Mum and matching numbers.
We don't know if this rifle has those. But we do know it has alreadsy been altered from original condition. And therefore has already lost collector value.
Next consideration is the fact that not all T-99's were created equal. There is a considerable drop in quality between pre/early war mfg rifles and those made late in the war.
As the war incresingly went bad for the Japanese, they had trouble acquiring war materials due to U.S. air/sea superiority. And this along w/several other factors (allied bombing of arsenals/war industry etc) contributed to a noticable degeneration of Japanese Arms configuration and quality. Until by late war, the T-99 being produced were of questionable strength for even the intended round.
I would certainly advise you to research which Arsenal/Series your rifle receiver is. And would limit any higher pressure conversions to rifles made no later than 1943.

k.stanonik

Ok there is a update, in the paperwork from the estate there was documentation from the 50's from the provost marshalls the rifle was in 308 configuration from a previous family member when he lived on a military base. Right now it appears that along the way someone tried to change stocks and the current one interfearswith the trigger mech. so i am looking to get that redone.