Looking for 6.5 Jap data

[Blindstitch]

I'm starting to reload 6.5 Jap Arisaka and i'm looking for reload data using Imr 3031 or 4064 powder. I have a few books but the Lymans book didn't seem to have it and Modern Reloading second addition doesn't list those powders.

The Hornady Handbook has data for
140 grain projectile and 27.7-31.5 data for 3031
and
140 grain projectile and 28.6-34 data for 4064

I know sometimes one book says one thing and another says even more or less so i'm looking for that other book if there is one.

[Blindstitch]

As long as i'm asking for info I should say I'm asking for info because my grandfather lives in a VA home right now and I bought his deer rifle a sporterized 6.5 from his estate. He was a Korean War veteran and gunsmith for years.

He taught me how to reload but he never shared his 6.5 jap data with me. 30-30 and 30-06 all day long.

I know i'm going to have to work up my own loads but I also want to know his pet load if possible.

I tore down one of his shells and it has a 140 grain Hornady projectile in Norma brass with 32 grains of whatever powder this is. Can anyone ID it?



I'm hoping to stumble across personal reloading data in his books but all I saw was a note on a piece of paper saying 6.5/140/31 on a bookmark with 3031 at the top. I know he liked hot loads so 31 grains of 3031 doesn't sound out of the question as we loaded 30-30 near max for certain rifles.

[JT-AR-MG42]

I should think you are good to go with the Hornady data. Following is from Lyman's 45th or 46th (cover and copyright page fell off).
Shows loads for most all IMR powders as well as 3 ball powder loads.

Carbine - 19" barrel used with 140 gr. jacketed. Norma cases.

IMR 3031 30gr. - 2192fps. --33gr. - 2409fps.
Lyman mentions that 31.5gr. of 3031 at 2309fps. was the most accurate load in that rifle.
The manual also states that 31.2gr. of 3031 at 2272fps. is a factory duplication load.

IMR 4064 32gr. - 2183fps. --- 36gr. (compressed) - 2475fps.

As to your second post.
I really believe it is anyone's guess as to just which ball powder it is.
There is (in my opinion) no way of knowing, as too many of them look the same to the eye.

Best to just chronograph the pet load, duplicate the other components, and then you could work this Lyman data to try to mirror that load.

At the 32gr. you mention.
Lyman's manual shows a start load of 33gr. with both BL-C2 - 2164fps. and H335 - 2252fps.

Hope this helps, JT

[Blindstitch]

Thanks for the heads up on Lymans 44th. I have a digital copy of it and found the data. I had a feeling someone would offer a bit higher data. I'll see if i can borrow a chrono and test the loaded ammo.

Knowing 31.5 isn't the total max and in another book is thought to be a few grains from factory duplicate. Sounds like I should make up some 31.2 and find out.