Arisaka Type 38 - 6.5X50 or 6.5X51?

**15Truckman** · February 15th, 2010, 02:03 PM

The reason I ask this, most of the 6.5Jap I come across (Hornady) is 6.5X51. I've shot some old Hornady (my Uncle's surplus) with no trouble, however I thought it was 6.5X50(but could very well be mistaken - I was more focused on the fact that it was 6.5Jap). A few months ago we picked up some new Hornady 6.5Jap that was 6.5X51. It didn't fit - in fact, trying to close the bolt damaged the outside rim of the cartridge.

Now I find this: PCI Ammo 6.5X50 Jap

After researching and reading around, I've discovered that my Type 38 is from the Nagoya Arsenal ca. 1923-1933, if that makes a difference.

So, 6.5X50 or 6.5X51? Did I just get a funky box of the 6.5Jap from Hornady? Since the link I posted is sold out currently, any ideas where I can find some ammo that will work?

Heck, I thought 6.5Jap was 6.5Jap.....

**Plain Old Bill** · February 15th, 2010, 07:02 PM

I would suggest that they are the same, as we see with 7.9mm and 8mm Mauser. They actually refer to the same Mauser cartridge; I can't help but think your "two different" calibers are actually one and the same.

**15Truckman** · February 16th, 2010, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by Plain Old Bill

I would suggest that they are the same, as we see with 7.9mm and 8mm Mauser. They actually refer to the same Mauser cartridge; I can't help but think your "two different" calibers are actually one and the same.

What would explain this, then?

Originally Posted by 15Truckman

It didn't fit - in fact, trying to close the bolt damaged the outside rim of the cartridge.

**Pukindog** · February 16th, 2010, 10:12 AM

6.5X50mm is the proper designation for the cartridge. If the rounds you have were in fact 51mm long they will not chamber as they should.
Jeff

**Plain Old Bill** · February 16th, 2010, 12:16 PM

OK_ stop and ignore everything in my first email! You may have a Japanese machine gun round- they actually had a number of different rimless and semi-rimmed rounds for use in the Nambu light machine guns. Didn't think of that before, my apologies. Do you have a regular 6.5x50 to check the measurements out against? If not, I can send you one.
Bill

**Pukindog** · February 16th, 2010, 03:09 PM

Thiking about this; is there a possibility you tried to "stuff" a 6.5X52 Carcano round in the rifle. I have not found any references at all for a 6.5X51 Japanese round.

Jeff

**15Truckman** · February 16th, 2010, 04:21 PM

Only if Hornady put a different round in the box. We opened the box and loaded the gun, no mixing or other ammo around... In fact, we don't own a weapon that fires a 6.5X52 Carcano...