Hopefully, we’re getting past the days of chopping up collectible guns to make “deer rifles”. If you have an Arisaka and want a deer rifle, sell the Arisaka and buy a new sporting rifle. You’ll save a collectible, give a gun company some business, and maybe make some money in the bargain. Thirty years ago, a gun dealer I knew had a rack full of German K98k Mauser fifles with the stocks cut down and rechambered to 8mm/’06. They were about $150 each. Today an original, all-matching K98k can easily bring $1500. You can buy 2 or 3 new Remchesters for that.
I just acquired a Type 38 Arisaka a couple weeks ago at an estate sale. I have learned a great deal about them since, including the strength of their receivers. Even the “last ditch” Type 99’s were strong despite their rough finish. My $1.25 apiece 6.5x50 brass arrived today long with a Lyman 140 gr. 6.5 mold. Fun should ensue over the next few weeks.
Trailboss powder should ensure that I won’t have the same fate that those Viet Cong fighters had with the “doctored” ammo the CIA left out for them.