I was given an Enfield No4 MK1 a while back and it has no bolt. I was looking at the TEC site as they have some for sale. My question is how do I know what size bolt head I need? 0, 1, 2....?
Enfield Bolt
- Thread starter oopswasthatyourdog?
- Start date
You get a BOLT and see if it fits. If you have too much headspace (more than .074"), you go to a higher number on the bolt-head. If your headspace is below .064", you need a lower number on your bolt-head. The head was changed because the bolt body was mated to the action during the Proofing process.
Hope this helps.
.
Hope this helps.
.
Headspace is set by fitting the appropriate bolthead. You have no way of knowing which bolthead is correct without a bit of trial and error and use of headspace gauges. It is also important to check that both locking lugs are making contact with the locking shoulders in the receiver.
When an Enfield is brand new it is proof pressure tested with a oiled high pressure proof cartridge. The oiled cartridge delivers twice the bolt thrust to the bolt body and bolt head. This seats the bolt head to the bolt body and the bolt lugs to the receiver. After proof pressure testing the rifle was checked with a .067 headspace gauge, if the bolt closed on the .067 gauge the rifle failed proof testing due to excessive lug setback.
Therefore a brand new bolt body will be longer than a used bolt body BUT the new bolt will not have seated lugs or bolt head. After proof testing both locking lugs were checked to make sure they were making equal contact.
It is impossible to tell what size bolt head you will need or if it will even pass the headspace check until the new bolt is installed with a bolt head and checked with headspace gauges.
NOTE: If an Enfield failed headspacing at .074 with a new bolt and a maximum length #3 bolt head the Enfield was sent for FTR/overhaul.
Be careful buying a used bolt, it could be junk and all your bolt heads will over rotate.
You will want to be as close to minimum headspace .064 as possible because as the new bolt "seats in" your headspace will increase. This job is better left to a qualified gunsmith who knows what he is doing.
Therefore a brand new bolt body will be longer than a used bolt body BUT the new bolt will not have seated lugs or bolt head. After proof testing both locking lugs were checked to make sure they were making equal contact.
It is impossible to tell what size bolt head you will need or if it will even pass the headspace check until the new bolt is installed with a bolt head and checked with headspace gauges.
NOTE: If an Enfield failed headspacing at .074 with a new bolt and a maximum length #3 bolt head the Enfield was sent for FTR/overhaul.
Be careful buying a used bolt, it could be junk and all your bolt heads will over rotate.
You will want to be as close to minimum headspace .064 as possible because as the new bolt "seats in" your headspace will increase. This job is better left to a qualified gunsmith who knows what he is doing.
