Marlin 1893 headspace issue

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TrendyRendy

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Recently acquired a Marlin 1893 manufactured in 1904, Good condition, been reblued in some point of its life and the rifling is great. And chambered in 30-30

Took it out shooting for the first time and she shoots great, tight groups but I've noticed the fired cases have the primer noticeably protruding out. I measured it at .024" of the primer sticking out from the case.

Would this be sign of headspace issue? And if so is it something to worry about? I know this is a 118 year old rifle but is there a remedy?
I saw on YouTube buddy replaced the breech bolt with a new old stock one and did some minor fitting with success. Anyone have experience with this?

Thank you
 
With that much headspace I would only fire plinker low pressure rounds in 'er. Setting the barrel back .024 will remedy the issue but damn its a lot of work to move a barrel back in a lever gun with tube mag and fore-stock tenon that all have to be adjusted.
 
Your solution is simple. Put an o-ring on your cases at the rim before firing and it will move he shoulder ahead when fired. Your new fire formed cases can be reloaded so that they fit your rifle only. Just set your sizing so you don't push your shoulder back. Your cases will head space on the shoulder like say a 30-06 instead of the rim like rimmed cases. Its been done many times before all over so that old rifles are still used.
 
I have a marlin 1893 did the same thing. I backed off my sizer die a bit problem solved. Billdicks idea with the oring would lessen case stretch if the case started to grip before backing up on the bolt but I never seemed to have that effect on mine
 
Last edited:
billdick said:
Your solution is simple. Put an o-ring on your cases at the rim before firing and it will move he shoulder ahead when fired. Your new fire formed cases can be reloaded so that they fit your rifle only. Just set your sizing so you don't push your shoulder back. Your cases will head space on the shoulder like say a 30-06 instead of the rim like rimmed cases. Its been done many times before all over so that old rifles are still used.
Click to expand...

This as mentioned above-
or
W/ a collet bullet puller
Pull the projectiles to jam length to keep the case head against the breech face of the bolt.
Then size your brass setting the shoulder back a few thousandths.
 
If it was mine, I would set the barrel back a thread and rechamber. This would entail shortening the mag tube and forearm as well so it's not an easy task. An alternative is to solder and insert into the rim recess and cut it to produce the correct headspace. This still results in a chamber which is a bit long in the head to shoulder dimension. One could also shim the face of the breech bolt. This is a workable solution providing there is sufficient firing pin protrusion.
 
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