Excessive headspace on No.4 Mk II

Auggie Doggie

Auggie Doggie

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I have a No.4 Mk II with a number 1 bolt head. I loaded up 30 rounds in some once fired brass. Two case head separations were the result. I borrowed a set of Forster headspace gauges from a buddy. The Go gauge slipped right in. The No-Go also went right in. Then I tried the Field gauge. Damn. It too chambered.

We had a gun show a few weeks ago (that I couldn't make!), but my friend went and low and behold, the local Enfield expert actually had one of the much sought after #3 bolt heads. He picked it up for me and I finally got the extractor swapped in and checked it with the gauges. The No-Go will still just chamber, but the field gauge will not go in. Time to load up a few rounds and try them out. Now I need a neck sizing die.

Frosty
 
Head for the Dollar Store and get a package of 100 pony-tail ties in the girls' department.

Put a pony-tail tie ahead of the rim on each cartridge, shoot like that.

Pony-tail tie holds the case back against the bolt-face so the brass blows out to FIT your chamber.

Then neck-size only.

Keep your brass trimmed (it won't need much once you do this) and it will last as long as any other brass. You can EXPECT 10 shots per casing.

Hope this helps.
 
You should also use the heaviest brass you can find as a precaution against excessive brass flow/thinning and case head separation. I'm travelling and don't have my references with me, but some of the heaviest makes are the IVI surplus, Greek HXP, Sako (sold with a Herters headstamp) and Norma.
 
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And tre Forster headspace gages are NOT the ones used by the militay. They can FAIL an otherwise serviceable rifle
What brass were you using? Winchester doesn't have the same rim thickness as HXP or Privi Partizan or for that matter, service ammo.
Another suggestion, neck size instead of full length resizing and keep the brass for each rifle seperate.
 
I will bet you, if you use a military spec .074 Field gauge, that rifle would pass easily.

How hard are you pushing down on the handle? Should be light fingertip pressure.
 
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It was Remington brass. I hear that stuff doesn't stand up well at the best of times. I have a bunch of old IVI brass that I want to try next with the o-ring or hair ties.

Auggie D.
 
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