Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

[pjshufeldt]

I have what I believe is a Type 38 long rifle. How I determine the appropriate cartridge. The 30-06 will almost chamber (tried it decades ago when I was a dumb a** kid). Is there any way I can safely determine the proper caliber?[/img]

[DEFUC]

first verify what type it is . 30-06 wont even come close to chambering in a T-38 but does come pretty close to fitting in a t-99 .If your not familiar with guns, then a gunsmith would be the way to go. The best and safest way to do on your own it is to verify the chamber with cerro-safe or similar and mic it for exact dimensions . Myself I just use a test round to check them if handy or sometime do the not recommended method of testing them with a proper round. Don't try testing a gun with a live round unless you are very very familiar with guns and that gun in particular, if you do the best method is to remove the firing pin then cycle the weapon as normal chambering and extracting your test round . a set of test rounds can be made up by a reloader by simply loading a un charged and unprimed case to OAL and then silver soldering a piece of steel rod in the primer pocket,as well as building a set of "dummy rounds" for testing cycling and chambering,dummy rounds should be permanently marked to distinguish them from live rounds and never be primed,for safety. Hope some of that helps.

[Francis C. Allan]

Do be careful. Some Type 38s were re-chambered by postwar users. Thailand did re-chamber some in .30 cal US, Chinese in 8mm Mauser and 7.62mm. If you don't know the history of the rifle take it to a competent gunsmith to check.

Frank
_________________
Francis C. Allan
20Courtney Place
Palm Coast, FL 32137

(386) 445-4225