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My first two varmint rifles were based on Ariska Model 38 6.5mm rifles. The first was modified simply by rechambering it with a .243 Winchester reamer using a .264" pilot. The result was one of the earliest examples of a 6.5X.308 or .260 Remington cartridge (this was about 1958). The bolt handle was replaced by welding with another, suitable for a low mounted scope, and the barrelled action was fitted to a Fajan sporter stock and equipped with a Williams ramp front sight and a Redfield receiver sight. Later it was fitted with bases for a Unertl target scope for long range work.

Counterintuitively, the military barrel, with its 7.5" twist and Medford type rifling, shot light weight (94 grain Norma) bullets exceptionally well and the rifle accounted for a number of crows and groundhogs before being supplanted by another Arisaka, this one rebarrelled to .22-.250 (still a wildcat at the time).

Back then, an outfit called Flaig's, in Millvale, PA, sold prechambered barrels threaded for a number of military actions, including the Arisaka. I chose a varmint weight barrel and after it was installed and headspaced in my action, I fitted it to a Fajan varmint stock, added a Unertl 1" target scope, and was ready for the big time.

This also represented my first attempt at glass bedding, which was accomplished by use of an auto body repair material called Bond-O. Not very pretty, but functional. The rifle shot like a house afire, and crows and groundhogs suffered even more, since the cost reduction from 6.5mm to .22 caliber bullets allowed me more "bang for the buck", an important consideration in my college days.

The .22-.250 is long gone, but I still have the 6.5, or I should say, have it again, since I had given it to a friend, who has since died. His widow wanted me to have it back.

My main complaint with the Arisaka was the trigger, which was not all that great. Also, the cock on closing feature meant that you could not uncock tha action on an empty chamber simply by holding the trigger back while closing the bolt. The safety was not the most convenient in the world, especially with a scope mounted. On the other hand, it introduced me to the world of handloading, precision receiver sights, target scopes, and long range shooting. A good investment, all in all.

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