Head space on a K98, Israeli.

[Ryan500]

So I have an israeli mauser that is mismatched, I've shot it quite a bit and perhaps this is something I should have done earlier, however;

Is there a good reliable way to check the head space just for my piece of mind? How do you feel aboout go-no-go gauges for a 7.62 Nato?

Should I just have a smith give it a once over? What should the cost be for that? I don't mind spending money on safety.

It shoots good and brass is all normal after it's been shot but I'd like to do it just for my own piece of mind.

Thanks all.

If you think a smith is the best option, any ideas who to go to around Cold Lake or Edmonton?>

 

[CanadianAR]

Just get a set of go no/go gauges and check yourself. Then you have for the future.

 

[Ryan500]

got a good source for them thats a sponsor? Or maybe somewhere in canada?

 

[J996]

You would need a NATO no-go gauge, as it will just eat the 308 gauges. A .308 no-go is super good as far as military chambers go (looser tolerances). Don't worry too much about all the SAAMI hooplah, this is not a semi-auto Garand or M14. I have fired 7.62 Nato rounds in as tight a chamber as 1.631 in several M14 rifles and .308Win in slop bucket Norc military spec chambers. Never a problem. It is actually worse to have too little headspace than too much as that can spike pressures to dangerous levels.

With the exception of a few FN made ones all Israelis are mismatched. Headspace would have been checked by the armorers back when they were rebarreled to 7.62
If the bolt is the one that came with your rifle then no need to worry. I never worry about mine, the 98 is one of the strongest actions ever made and it is designed to handle a potential failure safely. Fire away.

7.62 NATO Gauges.
GO: 1.6355"
NO-GO: 1.6405"
FIELD: 1.6455"

.308 Gauges.
GO: 1.630"
NO-GO: 1.634"
FIELD: 1.638"

To answer your question Brownells has 7.62X51 Nato gauges

Edit: Almost forgot, go to the MBR section and search for a guy named Hungry, if you send him a few spent casings from your rifle (since its 7.62nato) he will mic it for you and tell you exactly what your headspace is! He is a nice guy, send him a pm. Cheers.