The 6.5x51mm Japanese cartridge, also known as the 6.5 Arisaka, was developed for Imperial Japan's military rifles and machine guns. Introduced in 1897, it originally chambered in the Type 30 rifle and later in the Type 38 and Type 44 cavalry carbine. This rimless, bottleneck cartridge measures approximately 51mm in case length and fires a 6.5mm (.264 inch) bullet.
The 6.5x51mm Japanese is renowned for its mild recoil and adequate ballistic performance, producing relatively low pressure compared to modern cartridges. Typically, it fires a 139-grain (9-gram) bullet at velocities around 2,500 feet per second (760 meters per second).
Use cases for the 6.5x51mm Japanese mostly revolved around military applications, particularly during the early 20th century, including both World Wars. It was favored for its accuracy and manageable recoil, which benefited soldiers in extended engagements.
Though largely obsolete today, the 6.5x51mm Japanese remains of interest to military historians, collectors, and sport shooters who value historical firearms. It’s also found in some surplus military rifles still in circulation among enthusiasts.