Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
Articles
Latest reviews
Author list
Classifieds
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Gunsmithing
Minimum Headspace
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="tobnpr" data-source="post: 2818858" data-attributes="member: 68758"><p>Disclaimer: I didn't read all the prior posts.</p><p></p><p>Factory brass is more often than not, undersized in the datum length- to assure feed/function in rifles with "tight" headspace dimensions. Using a comparator is fine, but it's not an absolute measurement.</p><p></p><p>The only way to know what your true headspace is (based on SAAMI dimensions) is with a go gage. Go gage in the chamber, stripped bolt- handle should fall with light resistance (indicating contact with the boltface) at the bottom of the throw to indicate no clearance.</p><p></p><p>If it falls without resistance, put a dab of grease on the boltface and stick a short piece of skinny electrical solder on it, close the bolt and mike the solder. Now you KNOW your clearance based on SAAMI spec. You can't do this with brass, too much "give" for a precise measurement- you need the hardened gage. Plastigage also works for this application instead of the soft solder.</p><p></p><p>None of this really matters when you handload- whatever your headspace is (within reason, natch) your brass will stretch to fit. Then use that as you did for your comparator measurements. You can have "zero headspace" with brass at SAAMI spec, or .005 over provided you bump your shoulders to the minimum needed when you resize.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="tobnpr, post: 2818858, member: 68758"] Disclaimer: I didn't read all the prior posts. Factory brass is more often than not, undersized in the datum length- to assure feed/function in rifles with "tight" headspace dimensions. Using a comparator is fine, but it's not an absolute measurement. The only way to know what your true headspace is (based on SAAMI dimensions) is with a go gage. Go gage in the chamber, stripped bolt- handle should fall with light resistance (indicating contact with the boltface) at the bottom of the throw to indicate no clearance. If it falls without resistance, put a dab of grease on the boltface and stick a short piece of skinny electrical solder on it, close the bolt and mike the solder. Now you KNOW your clearance based on SAAMI spec. You can't do this with brass, too much "give" for a precise measurement- you need the hardened gage. Plastigage also works for this application instead of the soft solder. None of this really matters when you handload- whatever your headspace is (within reason, natch) your brass will stretch to fit. Then use that as you did for your comparator measurements. You can have "zero headspace" with brass at SAAMI spec, or .005 over provided you bump your shoulders to the minimum needed when you resize. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Gunsmithing
Minimum Headspace
Top