Lindcott Armory Rifle · Obsolete
7.7x58mm Japanese
Japan's WWII-era upgrade from the 6.5mm Arisaka — a full-power rifle cartridge developed after combat experience in China showed the 6.5mm was marginal at extended range.
- Caliber
- 0.3118″ · 7.92 mm
- Introduced
- 1939
- Case
- Semi-Rimmed
- Primary use
- Military
- Status
- Discontinued
- Introduced
- 1939
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Japan
- Inventor
- Japanese Imperial Army
- Manufacturer
- Japanese Imperial Arsenal
- Standard
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 56 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:10
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Semi-Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 50,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 550 yd
- Max range
- 1500 yd
- Recoil
- 11–15 ft·lb
Ballistics
- By real loads
- 2,330–2,493 fps · 8 loads
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open 7.7x58mm Japanese 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.
reloading data · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 7.92 | 0.312 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.58 | 0.338 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 11.00 | 0.433 | · |
| Shoulder angle | 23° | — | ~ |
| Base ⌀ | 12.01 | 0.473 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.06 | 0.475 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.22 | 0.048 | ~ |
| Neck length | 7.67 | 0.302 | ≈ |
| Case length | 57.80 | 2.276 | · |
| Overall length | 79.60 | 3.134 | · |
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. 7.7x58mm Japanese is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 8 active loads across 7 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norma | SP | 174 | SP | 2,493 | 2,401 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP Hunting | 174 | SP | 2,395 | 2,216 | — |
| PPU | FMJ Training | 174 | FMJ | 2,395 | 2,216 | — |
| Norma | SP Hunting | 180 | SP | 2,362 | 2,229 | — |
| Graf & Sons | FMJ | 174 | FMJ | 2,360 | 2,151 | — |
| Hornady | Interlock | 174 | SP | 2,350 | 2,133 | — |
| MFS | FMJ | 174 | FMJ | 2,340 | 2,115 | — |
| Wolf | FMJ | 174 | FMJ | 2,330 | 2,097 | — |
| Imperial Japanese Army | FMJ Service | 174 | FMJ | 2,395 | 2,216 | — |
| Kokura Arsenal | FMJ Ball | 174 | FMJ | 2,395 | 2,216 | — |
| Lapua | Lapua Standard | 174 | FMJ | 2,395 | 2,216 | — |
| Hirtenberger | HP Classic | 174 | FMJ | 2,395 | 2,216 | — |
| Norma | Classic | 175 | FMJ | 2,395 | 2,229 | — |
| Kynoch | Classic | 175 | FMJ | 2,395 | 2,229 | — |
| Armscor | Standard | 175 | FMJ | 2,395 | 2,229 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
1 reloading powder listed for 7.7x58mm Japanese, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
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 7.7x58mm Japanese
12 models in the database chamber 7.7x58mm Japanese. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Developed in 1939 as Japan recognized the 6.5x50mm Arisaka was being outranged by Chinese .30-caliber rifles. Adopted for the Type 99 rifle and Type 99 LMG. Japan entered WWII with two standard rifle cartridges — the 6.5mm and 7.7mm — creating logistics complications. Both were used throughout the Pacific War. The Type 99 action was exceptionally strong; many survive in shootable condition. Surplus ammunition was widely available post-war and cartridges can be loaded from .30-06 reformed brass.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 7.7x58mm Japanese use?
- 7.7x58mm Japanese typically uses a 1:10 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 7.7x58mm Japanese?
- 7.7x58mm Japanese uses a 0.3118″ (7.92 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 7.7x58mm Japanese still in production?
- 7.7x58mm Japanese is discontinued; typical availability is collector.
- What is 7.7x58mm Japanese used for?
- 7.7x58mm Japanese is primarily used for military.
- What are the best powders for 7.7x58mm Japanese?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for 7.7x58mm Japanese include IMR 3031.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 8 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →