Headspacing - Info Resources

[Len-2A Training]

NO MIL-SURPLUS RIFLES SHOULD BE FIRED UNTIL HEADSPACING IS CHECKED!

Your face and hands are much too valuable to risk by firing old battle iron without checking for safety first! Clean thoroughly all old mil-surplus guns and then check headspacing on the rifles (or pay a gunsmith to do it for you).

Here are some resources so that you can understand what headspacing is all about, what and how you need to do it, etc. Be aware that with a C&R FFL, places like Brownells and Midway offer you a dealer discount. Brownells does not discount some tools (which means some headspace gauges are sold by them at list price to everyone).

http://hybrid.ualr.edu/satu/headspace.html

http://www.fulton-armory.com/headspace.htm

http://www.cruffler.com/trivia-October99.html

http://www.clymertool.com/headspac/index.html

http://hometown.aol.com/yankeng/myhomepage/business.html - NOTE: This is a very local company, don't know much about them.

 

[NFD9]

LenS,
Great sticky.
Very good info to know.
Thanks
Gary

 

[Waher]

http://www.okiegauges.com
Coin style headspace gauges:go, no-go, and field for a variety of milsurp calibers. Made in the USA.

 

[mac1911]

http://www.okiegauges.com
Coin style headspace gauges:go, no-go, and field for a variety of milsurp calibers. Made in the USA.

Made for rimmed cases.
Not bad sets

 

[NavelOfficer]

I found this article to be helpful.
http://parallaxscurioandrelicfirear...1/t/Headspace-101-for-303-s.html#.V_jlneUrJMx
My neighbor recently acquired a SMLE No. 1 Mk3*. A .014" flat washer seated between bolt face and head of round did the trick..

 

[jpm]

I've made a headspace set for my mosins using a couple of washers. 2 together were just the right thickness for a field gauge check.

 

[Waher]

Headspace is measured in hundredths of inches. I wouldn't trust soft metal washers made with God knows what tolerances.

 

[mac1911]

Headspace is measured in hundredths of inches. I wouldn't trust soft metal washers made with God knows what tolerances.

For the amount or lack of pressure you apply to check headspace I would not worry much for a base inspection. Commercial use yes you want harden steel for durability.
I would trust measuring a washer to the tolerance of the tool...

 

[jpm]

For the amount or lack of pressure you apply to check headspace I would not worry much for a base inspection. Commercial use yes you want harden steel for durability.
I would trust measuring a washer to the tolerance of the tool...

Yeah you aren't applying any kind of pressure to it and you can mic it before and after to ensure its dimensions haven't changed