questions on reloading for 7.7 Jap

[Robb]

I'm getting ready to reload for 7.7 Jap for the Arisaka, I've never modified brass like this before and have a few questions.

First off I have a good amount of .270 brass and a smaller stash of HXP 30.06. I was thinking of saving the HXP for reloading later, that maybe it would be a shame to cut it down.. Does it matter? I have a pretty varied mix of .270 manufacturers.

Second, do I anneal before or after sizing? I've read both, but it seems like you should do it before your resizing.

Third, what do you guys use to make the initial neck shortening cut? Just trim it all off? That's gonna be a lot of shavings! Hacksaw, dremel? I have to cut maybe a good 1/4" or so off each and every neck.

And lastly, do you mark or color your brass with something, just to help prevent any bonehead moves?

Any other thoughts are welcome, and I appreciate any and all feedback!

[spqrzilla]

If you are lazy as I am, MidSouth Shooters has a sale on 7.7 brass for $70 for a hundred. And Graf has Prvi Partisan manufactured brass for $30 for 50, which is a dime cheaper per case.

[rondog]

Go to forums for milsurp collectors, you might find a good tutorial how to do this on one. I found a great tutorial once, but it was years ago.

I believe you have to trim first, then anneal to soften the brass, then you can reform/resize it. Harbor Freight has mini chop saws people say are good for cutting off cases. Or small tubing cutters.

IMO, I'd use the .30-06. Bullet size is very close and .30-06 brass is easy to get.

[sabot_round]

Conduct a search for the following article. It will be faster than me trying to figure out how to uploaded. [Beer] I use it for my Arisakas and it works!!

Reloading for the 6.5mm and 7.7mm Japanese Rifles
By Shannon Zeigler

[Robb]

thanks for the links and opinions guys, appreciate it.

[rondog]

Conduct a search for the following article. It will be faster than me trying to figure out how to uploaded. [Beer] I use it for my Arisakas and it works!!

Reloading for the 6.5mm and 7.7mm Japanese Rifles
By Shannon Zeigler

There ya go! Looks like 8mm Mauser is the way to go.

[Great-Kazoo]

There ya go! Looks like 8mm Mauser is the way to go.

Yes it is
72061

72062

[Robb]

RonDog, I picked up one of those little chopsaws, not too substantial but $33.00 with a one year warranty, figured I'd give it a try.

[Robb]

The chopsaw Rondog mentioned above works great. I did a coffee can's worth and then annealed. Never had done that before. I'll continue on once the weather forces me back into the basement.