7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm)
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm): At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Rifle |
| Primer Type | Large Rifle |
| Used For | Military |
| Case Design | Rimless, Bottleneck |
| Year Introduced | 1932 |
7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm): At a Glance: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Powerful cartridge for its time
- ✔ Effective at long ranges
- ✔ Good ballistic performance
- ✔ Reliable in military rifles
- ✔ Historically significant
Cons
- ✘ Obsolete and no longer in production
- ✘ Limited availability of ammunition
- ✘ Recoil can be substantial
- ✘ Heavier than more modern cartridges
- ✘ Not suitable for modern firearms
7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm): A Comprehensive Overview
The 7.7 Japanese, also known as the 7.7x58mm Arisaka, was the primary rifle and machine gun cartridge used by the Empire of Japan during World War II. Developed in the 1930s, this rimless bottlenecked cartridge was designed to replace the older 6.5x50mm Arisaka round. The 7.7 Japanese saw extensive use in various firearms, including the Type 99 rifle, Type 92 machine gun, and Type 1 heavy machine gun.
History and Development
The 7.7 Japanese cartridge was developed in the 1930s as part of Japan's military modernization efforts. It was created to provide increased power and range over the previous 6.5x50mm Arisaka cartridge, which had been in use since 1897. The new round was based on the British .303 cartridge but modified to be rimless and to use metric measurements.
The 7.7 Japanese was first introduced in 1932 for use in the Type 92 machine gun. It later became the standard cartridge for the Type 99 Arisaka rifle, which began production in 1939. The round saw extensive use throughout World War II in various Japanese weapons, including rifles, machine guns, and some aircraft armaments.
After World War II, the use of the 7.7 Japanese cartridge declined rapidly. With Japan's defeat and subsequent demilitarization, production of the round ceased. Today, the 7.7 Japanese is primarily of interest to collectors and historians, with limited commercial production for these markets.
Technical Specifications
The 7.7 Japanese cartridge has a case length of 58mm and an overall length of 78mm. It typically used a 174-grain (11.3g) bullet, although lighter bullets were also employed. The round had a muzzle velocity of approximately 730 m/s (2,400 ft/s) when fired from the Type 99 rifle, generating around 2,785 J (2,055 ft-lbf) of muzzle energy.
The cartridge used a semi-rimless design, which helped with feeding in machine guns while still allowing for reliable extraction. The 7.7 Japanese used a large rifle primer and had a maximum pressure of around 320 MPa (46,000 psi).
Timeline of 7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm) Development and Use:
7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm) Performance
The 7.7 Japanese cartridge offered significant improvements over its predecessor, the 6.5x50mm Arisaka. Here are the key performance characteristics of the 7.7 Japanese:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity | 730 m/s (2,400 ft/s) When fired from the Type 99 rifle with standard 174-grain bullet |
| Muzzle Energy | 2,785 J (2,055 ft-lbf) With standard 174-grain bullet |
| Effective Range | 500-600 meters Dependent on weapon system and environmental conditions |
| Bullet Weight | 11.3g (174 grains) Standard bullet weight, lighter bullets also used |
| Maximum Pressure | 320 MPa (46,000 psi) Higher than the 6.5x50mm Arisaka, allowing for increased performance |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common 7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm) loads.
7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm): Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for 7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm) ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Military/Combat | 0-800 | Effective for long-range engagements, used in WWII-era rifles and machine guns |
| Hunting (Medium to Large Game) | 0-500 | Suitable for medium to large game, good penetration and stopping power |
| Target Shooting | 0-1000 | Capable of long-range accuracy with proper loads and rifles |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The 7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm) is known for its long-range capabilities and was primarily used in military applications. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for 7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm)
The 7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm) cartridge was primarily designed for military use, but has found applications in other areas:
7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm) Caliber Comparisons
The 7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm) was the primary rifle and machine gun round used by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. To understand its place in military history, let's compare it to similar cartridges:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of 7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm) with other similar rifle cartridges. (Based on a 9 lb rifle)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of 7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm) with other similar rifle cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of 7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm) with other similar rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of 7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm) with other similar rifle cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for 7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm)
The 7.7 Japanese (7.7x58mm) was the standard Japanese military rifle and machine gun cartridge in World War II. This table compares the sectional density of common bullet weights used in this cartridge.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| 7.7 Japanese | 174 | 0.221 |
| 7.7 Japanese | 180 | 0.228 |
| 7.7 Japanese | 182 | 0.231 |
Note: The 7.7 Japanese cartridge was primarily used with full metal jacket bullets. The sectional density values provided are based on the bullet diameter of 0.311 inches (7.9mm). Higher sectional density contributes to better penetration, but factors such as velocity and bullet construction also significantly affect overall performance.