Jap Type 99 used to shoot fish

[Mike101650]

I have the Type 99 Japanese rifle my Dad brought home from WWII. His uncle Jim kept it most of the time and claimed to shoot fish with it. He would climb out on a limb over the creek and watch for fish. When one would swim by, he would shoot at it and stun it. He would then wade out and get it. He said he used 30.06 ammo and when he returned it, he actually had a partial box of 30.06. Given this is 7.7 x 58 I am wondering if this is at all possible.
Any thoughts.

 

[Toney]

It would be tough to close the bolt but the rifle could handle it if it wasn't one of the last ditch rifles.

 

[dennishoddy]

Its entirely possible. The 7.7 Jap bullet diameter is 0.311 vs .308 in the 06.
An 06 round will chamber in the Arisaka.

 

[cz_partizan]

Post World War II and during the Korean War, the US Army converted some to 30-06, mostly for the newly formed South Korean army. I believed they simply just reamed out the chamber, cut a notch in the receiver and lengthened the magazine, leaving on the old Japanese barrel. The 7.7 Arisaka round used a .311 to .312 bullet while 30-06 used a .308 bullet. Hence while a somewhat serviceable weapon, the conversions were not known for their accuracy

I imagine civilian conversions were quite similar.

 

[dennishoddy]

A lot had new barrels attached when they made it back to the states and were sporterized.
I have an Arisaka that has a .300 savage barrel, bishop stock, and the bolt handle turned down for scope clearance. Drilled and tapped for a scope.
Killed a few deer with it over the years.

 

[MoBoost]

An 06 round will chamber in the Arisaka.

30-06 will not chamber in 7.7x58. If it does, it has been rechambered ... and don't automatically assume into a 30-06 either.

7.7 on the left, 30-06 on the right

 

[milsurp2.0]

30-06 will not chamber in 7.7x58. If it does, it has been rechambered ... and don't automatically assume into a 30-06 either.

7.7 on the left, 30-06 on the right

Correct. Back in the day you could send your rifle in so it could be rechambered for 30.06 or 257 Roberts if a type 38. The OPs uncle probably sent in for the 06 conversion dor around 14 dollars.

 

[MoBoost]

I've had one that was very nicely set back and chambered in 300 Savage: took a chamber cast to figure that one out (I used plain melted candle wax). At first I thought it was a 7.62x39 Chinese conversion (that would be cool):
http://www.forgottenweapons.com/rifles/arisakas-in-7-62x39mm/

 

[dennishoddy]

This is mine in the .300 Savage. Mother of pearl inlay. Hand engraved/checkered