Lindcott Armory Rifle · Obsolete / Non-standard
6.5x50mm Arisaka
Japanese military cartridge used from Russo-Japanese War through WWII.
- Caliber
- 0.261″ · 6.63 mm
- Introduced
- 1897
- Case
- Semi-Rimmed
- Primary use
- Military
- Status
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1897
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Japan
- Inventor
- Colonel Arisaka Nariakira
- Manufacturer
- Japanese Imperial Arsenal
- Standard
- Obsolete / Non-standard
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Scarce
- Case capacity
- 56 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:8
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Semi-Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 46,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 400 yd
- Max range
- 3200 yd
- Recoil
- 10–14 ft·lb
Ballistics
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open 6.5x50mm Arisaka ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 6.63 | 0.261 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 7.37 | 0.290 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 10.40 | 0.409 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 18.5° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 11.45 | 0.451 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.08 | 0.476 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.50 | 0.059 | ~ |
| Neck length | 7.60 | 0.299 | ≈ |
| Case length | 51.00 | 2.008 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 76.00 | 2.992 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 6.5x50mm Arisaka is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 4 active loads across 4 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 16 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lapua | Lapua Standard | 139 | FMJ | 2,500 | 1,929 | — |
| PPU | SP Hunting | 139 | SP | 2,493 | 1,918 | — |
| Hornady | Custom SP | 139 | InterLock SP | 2,350 | 1,704 | — |
| Norma | SP | 156 | SP | 2,070 | 1,484 | — |
| Graf & Sons | Graf Heritage | 139 | FMJ | 2,500 | 1,929 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP | 139 | FMJ | 2,493 | 1,918 | — |
| Imperial Japanese Army | FMJ Service | 139 | FMJ | 2,493 | 1,918 | — |
| Nippon | Type 38 Ball | 139 | FMJ RN | 2,493 | 1,918 | — |
| Kokura Arsenal | FMJ Ball | 139 | FMJ | 2,493 | 1,918 | — |
| Wolf | FMJ | 139 | FMJ | 2,493 | 1,918 | — |
| RWS | Classic | 139 | FMJ | 2,493 | 1,918 | — |
| Norma | Classic | 139 | FMJ | 2,493 | 1,918 | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Custom | 139 | FMJ | 2,493 | 1,918 | — |
| Kynoch | Classic | 139 | FMJ | 2,493 | 1,918 | — |
| PPU | Standard | 139 | FMJ | 2,493 | 1,918 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 6.5x50mm Arisaka
12 models in the database chamber 6.5x50mm Arisaka. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Adopted by Imperial Japanese Army in 1897 for the Type 30 Arisaka rifle. Served through the Russo-Japanese War, WWI, and WWII. The mild recoil suited smaller-statured Japanese soldiers. Partially replaced by 7.7x58mm in late 1930s but both cartridges were used throughout WWII due to logistics.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 6.5x50mm Arisaka use?
- 6.5x50mm Arisaka typically uses a 1:8 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 6.5x50mm Arisaka?
- 6.5x50mm Arisaka uses a 0.261″ (6.63 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 6.5x50mm Arisaka still in production?
- 6.5x50mm Arisaka is obsolete; typical availability is scarce.
- What is 6.5x50mm Arisaka used for?
- 6.5x50mm Arisaka is primarily used for military.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 4 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →