headspace question! help!

[TannerGun]

Looking to stick a new tube on my sisters 243. Found a 243 Ackley barrel from a guy who didn't use it.

The 243 now is just a standard 700 ADL short action.

The 243 Ackley barrel is a takeoff of a 700 SPS.

Will I need to buy a reamer to make sure the headspace is right, or should I be good to go?! Or... will I not know until I get the barrel screwed on? The AI barrel was already used on a SA 700.

Help!

 

[TannerGun]

Seriously nobody?

 

[Michael Eichele]

You wont know till you get the parts put together. DONT assume that if the bolt closes with a cartridge in the chamber that all is OK. You will need to employ the use of a go/nogo guage to know. Too much headspace will cause case head separation. No way to tell till you guage it. If in doubt, take it to a competent smith. If there is too much space the barrel will need to be set back a tad. If there is not enough, then a reamer will need to be used to cut it deaper.

 

[TannerGun]

I planned on having a smith screw it on anyways... I guess ill have to see what he says.