Head spacing help
- Thread starter josh1976
- Start date
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Know what it is that you are asking for - the "headspace" on a No. 4 Lee Enfield is about the room between bolt face and the rear of the barrel that the case rim comes up to - so is a dimension for the rim thickness - has nothing to do with the chamber at all - some types of 303 British headspace gauges look like a dime - just thin discs - is what is needed to check "headspace" for 303 British. If you are worried about the chamber, that is not "headspace" on a 303 British cartridge - is not at all like a 308 Win or 30-06. Is likely more of a concern to you about amount of bearing surfaces within the receiver and how well they mate up on the bolt lugs, and several other features known to wear on a No. 4, that have nothing to do with headspace.
I appreciate your insights.
its probably just fine, I have had over 50 of LE/LM sporters and originals I think I have found 2 or 3 that didnt head space well. and they were clearly parts guns and to be used for parts. because they have changeable bolt heads and large chambers people are crazy over head space. its not something you have to worry about really, unless the whole rifle is in questionable condition.
the big chamber always make new shooters thing they have head space issues.
a few ways to check it as home without the guages since its a rimmed case.
take a loaded or empty case, pull the bullet out of a loaded round if you wish, glue a 0.010-0.012" shim on the back and try to close the bolt on it, that can be used as a field gauge. you do not have to worry about too little head space as the bolt wont close.
or you can take the bullet out of a loaded round and use a small punch to push the primer out of the back of the case a little bit then load that into the chamber and close the bolt on it, the amount the primer is protruding is the head space, 0.010" is an acceptable amount
or just put a small Oring on the base of the case before shooting it and it will hold the rim on the bolt face as if its head spaced 100% perfect.
the big chamber always make new shooters thing they have head space issues.
a few ways to check it as home without the guages since its a rimmed case.
take a loaded or empty case, pull the bullet out of a loaded round if you wish, glue a 0.010-0.012" shim on the back and try to close the bolt on it, that can be used as a field gauge. you do not have to worry about too little head space as the bolt wont close.
or you can take the bullet out of a loaded round and use a small punch to push the primer out of the back of the case a little bit then load that into the chamber and close the bolt on it, the amount the primer is protruding is the head space, 0.010" is an acceptable amount
or just put a small Oring on the base of the case before shooting it and it will hold the rim on the bolt face as if its head spaced 100% perfect.
Or just buy a set of headspace gauges.
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
well both of the No3 bolt heads I have come from rifles that had oversized chambers, one of them would not close on the minimum .064" gauge, really a No1 bolt head was fine in that rifle.
Headspace and chamber size are 2 different issues when talking about lee-enfields.
Headspace and chamber size are 2 different issues when talking about lee-enfields.
