Milsurp After Hours

I have access to a Arisaka rifle but do not know how to tell the difference between the Model 38 and Model 99. Based on the bore size I think it might be the Model 38 in the 6.5. I have not measured but it looks to small to be the 7.7. What marking are on the action etc that will help me id this rifle. Thanks in advance

You probably already have done this.......but if it was an import in recent decades it should have the model and caliber, along with the importer identification stamped in the metal some place. Did you look it over good? Particularly near the front sight or maybe on the receiver. Depending on who may have imported it the marks may be any size from nearly microscopic to billboard size.

The gentlemen that has the rifle received two rifles from his brother when he returned from WWII. He was about 10 at that time so he has had the rifles for over 60+ years. Would the serial numbers give any information? I took the rifle out of the stock looking from stamping etc but didn't see anything. The Bore size is the only thing that I can see that would identify. I think from what I have seen the 38 is only 6.5 and the 7.7 was only in the 99.

I don't have a 99 but I do have a type 38. I did some looking around on the internet and there are a few ways to tell them apart. Just get out a pencil and paper and make a list as you find discriptions and examples the same way. One obvious easy thing to look for is that the 99 is discribed as having only one gas vent in the receiver ring while the 38 has two. The 99 will, most of the time, last ditch ones possibly not, have a band for attaching a wire monopod. 99's sometimes had the airplane shooters wishful thinking sight. Last production 99's had a lot of finish issues and some safety issues too.

I'll attach a photo of my 38 with the two vent holes and a photo I got of the one vent in the receiver of the type 99.

I'm just doing the Google thing.

Here is a link to some gun marks and production numbers.

http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html

Do you know a source for reloading dies for either the 6.5 or the 7.7? From what I have found once I find any ammo for either the 6.5 or 7.7 the bext option is to reload which I already do for 22-250, 7x61 Sharp and Hart, 308 and 300 Win Mag.
I checked MidwayUsa and Cabela's but neither list these dies but my reload manuals show loads for both the 6.5 and 7.7. Thanks

I have Lee dies in both 6.5mm and 7.7mm. Cases are made by Prvi Partizan that you can get from Grafs. Midway should have them also unless they are out of stock. These are easy to reload for but you need to watch out for case bulge in the 6.5mm as the chambers can be a bit oversize. Its best to necksize the 6.5mm. I use a Hornady 6.5mm neck sizing die. I use standard .264 and .311 bullets.
Regards
Peter.