Will my #### fall off?

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landcruiserguy

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I am in NZ and the proud owner of a norinco m14.

I have had my rifle headspaced checked by two gunsmiths. The first was the quick and dirty method without removing the extractor using 7.62 nato gauges. It swallowed everything including the field gauge.

The second was doing it the proper way with 308 gauges. Dismantling the bolt. It swallowed the field gauge + a 4 thou shim.

Final headspace measurement 1.644.

I have taken this rifle out and fired it and nothing fell off. My concern is case life when reloading for this rifle.

Since I brought this new and it's marked 308 I have the right to take it back and ask for another one.

My question is do you think the next one will be any better?
Whats the typical headspace for a norinco?

Hungry here: Yup, that's typical for Norc M14's. I've been mic'ing them on this forum for 7 years now and 10 thou to 15 thou seems to be the norm. Remember that NO-GO for NATO (field reject) is 1.655 or 25 thou... :eek:

The serial number is 12### to give you some idea of which batch it came from.
 
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The cure for reloading is to neck size only, and use that brass in that gun only. I had that problem, and after i started neck sizing no big deal. That's what the HUNGRY man recommends.(apart from getting a usgi bolt). The other alternative is to get one of the krieger barrels that is short chambered and have it headspaced for your bolt.

Hungry here: Sure thing I will get flamed for neck sizing, but if you always load from the mag, you won't tempt a slam fire and yer #### remains intact... :D
 
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dogzilla said:
The cure for reloading is to neck size only, and use that brass in that gun only. I had that problem, and after i started neck sizing no big deal. That's what the HUNGRY man recommends.(apart from getting a usgi bolt). The other alternative is to get one of the krieger barrels that is short chambered and have it headspaced for your bolt.
Click to expand...

I can take it back to the retailer and swap it for another one. I am just not sure if my headspace is in the normal range for a norinco.

Neck sizing isn't the complete solution as you increase the possibility of misfeeds and slam fires. Also even with a bolt gun you still have to full length resize every 3 to 5 neck sizings.
 
it is in fact within the normally seen range
trick is to get a tool and die machinist to mill a notch out on the guages for the ejector and then you can check headspace at the counter for a keeper :D
but not everyone has headspace guages in thier pocket when they are shopping. If you are concerned and want to swap it, and can inspect a few before you pick "the one", simply feel for bolt slop on the right lug side..... pic the rifle with the least amount of bolt slop and yer doing alright. Most of us here by them sight unseen off the net and don't get the luxury of handpicking.
 
The key is to NOT full length re-size.

Neck-sizing isn't the ideal solution either. You need to fall somewhere between the two.

In your case, you need to get an RCBS Case gauge micrometer, and set your press up to bring your brass down to 1.640-ish. That'll give you a couple thou of play, increase your brass life, make sure you don't have slam-fires to worry about, and generally give you a good day.

NS
 
If you own an M1A or M14 type rifle, sooner or later your #### is pretty much guaranteed to fall off...:)

My opinion is that the TRW bolts are the best, and fitting one would take very little work (if any...most of the dozen plus rifles I've rebuilt with USGI parts the TRW bolts just dropped right in and headspaced somewhere between 1.620 and 1.623).

I would for sure avoid neck sizing at all costs....my opinion on this is that it's very dangerous in an M14 type rifle. If you want to understand why Jerry K has some excellent treatise on this in his awesome US .30 caliber service rifle shop manual. Also go Google Glenn Zediker for his article on loading for the M14/M1A.

If you can't find a new bolt I would not get too fussed either...I have seen lots of stock norincos with monster headspace shoot just fine. Brass life might be a bit reduced though....

Cheers,

Brobee
 
=Hungry here: Yup, that's typical for Norc M14's. I've been mic'ing them on this forum for 7 years now and 10 thou to 15 thou seems to be the norm. Remember that NO-GO for NATO (field reject) is 1.655 or 25 thou... :eek:

Thanks Hungry. I have seen two figures for the nato field gauge. 1.655 and 1.645.

While it's in the normal range (for a norinco) it's at the extreme end of the range. If it was 10 thou over (1.640) then it wouldn't close on the 308 field gauge which would be much more desirable.

I still think your better off with a appropriately adjusted full length die that bumps the shoulder back a few thou from the fired length than a neck sizer. Both ways avoid overworking the die but bumping that shoulder back a few thou guarantees trouble free feeding.
 
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