When I had my Arisaka converted back in the spring, I finally gave up and bought RCBS dies. I think I paid something around $45 from Midsouth Shooting Supplies. I worked up a load for hunting:

http://www.accuratereloading.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB25&Number=782554&fpart=1&PHPSESSID=

Also, I use 7x57 cases, so that the false shoulder I create when necking down will make a tight fit. So far I am impressed with the cartridge. I suppose necking up .257 cases would be just fine. I think its a superb conversion for the Arisaka!

Additionally, I would NOT recommend the CH4D dies, I have traveled that road. I was pretty well dis- satisfied with their workmanship and customer service.

I recently got my hand on a 6.5 jap arisaka that has been rechamberd to 257 roberts, i understand that was a common conversion at one time and has always been a wild cat.so wher are all the dies? I have been told 6.5x57 mauser will work, any help will be appriciated.I can find custom dies but at about twice what I paid for the gun

I had one and used it for 3 years. It was my first deer rife. Until I tried to remove the barrel and twisted the action.

Anyway www.grafs.com has Hornady dies for $47.99 about 1/3 of what RCBS wants.

I went to graf&sons and found 6.5x57 dies for &47.99.my question is are thy sutibel to reload for the 6.5japx257roberts conversion. I have been told thy are actually the same but cant seam to find anyone who has actually done it to confirm this.I would order the dies today if some one could tell me thy have used them and thy work fine.Thanks for the reply.

Sorry I misread the list. When I loaded mine I used an old Lee that I just necked sized using a 6.5X55. I have never tried what you are asking. However I run 7X57 brass into my 257 die to form and the only thing that changes is the neck get sized down and gets a little longer. I would ASSUME that the 6.5X7 would work fine for the 6.5X257. Looking at the dimensions they are the same. Remember when you neck up the neck gets shorter neck down and it gets longer. Just watch you AOL.

Thanks Ramrod.I think that gives me the confidence to go ahead and use the 6.5x57 dies.I had also thought of just kneck sizing with 6.5x55.It has just acured to me if the 257 Roberts case is the same dimensions as the 6.5x57mm case why couldent you use the 6.5x57 case to start with and not worry about kneck sizeing the 257 cases.and would it be safe to shoot 6.5x57 mauser ammo in the 6.5x257 roberts? just curious.

Maybe this will help they list both names 6.5X257 (6.5X7)on their die list.

http://www.ch4d.com/catalog/reload_dies/reload_dies_15.htm

Ramrod thanks agin, that seams to clear it up

TSJ Thanks for the responce I was just getting ready to order one for $47.99 but I will wait to hear back from you

gentlemen,
take warning...
a 257x6.5 jap is NOT a 257 or 257x57... it is a 257x6.5 jap... with a larger case head than a Xx57 round (larger than .473) you MUST buy dies for that brass, or you will swell brass.

ackley writes on this clearly in handloaders

jeffe

Jeffe, The round he is talking about is a 6.5X257 Roberts (6.5X7mm) not a 257X6.5Jap. The rim and base on the 6.5 Jap are .466 &.447. When his rifle was rechamber to 6.5X257 it would have been opened up to .473 & .471.

michif,
I must have given them to someone as I know I had 2 sets and have only the one RCBS set now.
If you are worried about proper sizeing and want to try the ones I have "6.5/257" your welcome to. I'll try to find the number of the old fellow that sells dies at the gunshows around here, seems he often has that kind of stuff.

michif
I talked to Al Straitiff at comp corp. He thinks he has a set of new RCBS 6.5/257 dies, $25.
Call him at 603-532-9483

My dies are CH and came with the rifle. Before you go spending money, slug the bore. Military barrels vary enough so it might not be worth the effort. My original barrel was not, but I liked the cartridge and had the dies so I stuck with it when I had a new barrel installed.

I think the difference between the 6.5x57 and the 6.5 Roberts is just the normal head space variation you get in unstandardized wildcats.