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I know the headspace on a new or re-barreled rifle should allow the bolt to close on a "Go" gauge and not close on a "NoGo" but I am not building rifles or installing barrels.
Is a Clymer "Field" gauge sufficient to determine safe headspace on a milsurp rifle, particularly a 1903 Springfield rifle?
Andy
Still looking for info Andy but I did find this: https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=62741Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyLate
https://www.bing.com/search?q=Is+a+C...B01&PC=EDGEDSE
A FIELD SERVICE gage is .004" over a NO GO. I personally like my rifles to just barely close on a GO Gage so brass life can be enhanced.
I understand, but I am trying to determine if a 1903 is safe with a replacement bolt.Quote:
Originally Posted by Humpy70
Andy
I had a 1903 Springfield that I picked up that had below minimum headspace, the bolt would not close on a Go Gauge. The bolt would close with some ammunition and would not close with other ammunition. I did not fire the rifle until I reamed the chamber to proper headspace.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyLate
If the bolt won't close on a Go Gauge, you could have issues with overpressure. At a minimum, I would have a Go Gauge and Field Gauge on hand.
Thsnks for that. I was seriously thinking I would just check to see if it would close on a couple of rounds - obviously not enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by T2C
Heck, if I get a Go and a Field, may as well get a set with a No Go and remove all doubt.
It may not make any difference, but an old school gunsmith told me not to mix headspace gauge brands. If you already own a Clymer Field gauge, I suggest purchasing Clymer gauges to complete your set.
FWIW a Field gauge is all I use on my milsurp buying … your mileage may vary. By the way, there are other methods you can use to get a more accurate picture of your chamber.
Please expound on the other methods.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lefty223
Andy
It kind of depends on how much you plan to use your brass. CIP if you are using commercial 30.06 cases you are not likely to get over six reloads before the primer pocket gets enlarged and gas will get past the primer and start cutting a ring on your bolt face.
If you use milspec 30.06 match cases your case life will go out the roof if you set your dies to only bump the should be .001" too .002".
Setting your dies to do this is tricky. I use a MO Gage for setting my dies. They can be had from Mos Competitor Supply. 203-775-1013
Brass will last much longer with min movement when fired and min movement when resized.
Milspec cases have much harder case heads and they will take far more reloads and commercial.
For instance if you take a new unfired case and put it in a MO Gage you will get a reading. Load and fire the case and put it back in MO Gage and you will know exactly how far forward the case shoulder moves. Lets say you case shoulder moved forward .006" on firing. Using the MO Gage set the FL size die to only bump the shoulder back .001 to .002" and your case life should increase dramatically.