No. 4 headspace check help - Calgary

RangeRover

RangeRover

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I'm new to Enfields, and I've got a No. 4 I'm considering that's short on previous use history and I'd like to get the headspace checked.

Short notice, but I'm looking for either the name of someone in Calgary who I can get to check out the headspace this week, using military specs of course, or a CGNer in the neighbourhood who might have .303 military gauges I could borrow briefly :D

I don't have any unfired .303 brass to use the "feeler gauge" method.

Of course, other simple, viable options for checking the headspace welcomed.

Thanks
 
RangeRover said:
I'm new to Enfields, and I've got a No. 4 I'm considering that's short on previous use history and I'd like to get the headspace checked.

Short notice, but I'm looking for either the name of someone in Calgary who I can get to check out the headspace this week, using military specs of course, or a CGNer in the neighbourhood who might have .303 military gauges I could borrow briefly :D

I don't have any unfired .303 brass to use the "feeler gauge" method.

Of course, other simple, viable options for checking the headspace welcomed.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Do the bolt and receiver numbers match?
 
"...Do the bolt and receiver numbers match?..." That doesn't matter. There's no way of knowing if the bolt head has been changed at some time.
Call the local gun shops to find a smithy who has the guages. Checking headspace on a Lee-Enfield takes about 2 minutes. If the headspace is bad, you're SOL. A #3 bolt head is as big a they get.
 
RangeRover said:
I'm told yes, but I'm also told, though the seller wasn't completely sure, that it has a #3 bolthead on it.

Are you suggesting I'm over-worrying? :redface:
Click to expand...

Don't feel bad...however, a No 4 with matching numbers and a No 3 bolthead is highly unlikely to have excessive headspace.
However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't check it when convenient. But don't lose any sleep.
 
Any gunsmith can check this for you. It will give you more confidence in the gun. If no good you most likely will have to have the barrel set back...costly repair.
 
Never mind...

Thanks for the input, but it turns out the rifle has a No. "0" bolt-head...not a No. 3... That, combined with the overall condition of the rifle has me less worried. (Details on rifle to be posted shortly in Sept. purchases if you're interested) :D

cantom said:
Don't feel bad...however, a No 4 with matching numbers and a No 3 bolthead is highly unlikely to have excessive headspace.
However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't check it when convenient. But don't lose any sleep.
Click to expand...

RangeRover said:
I'm told yes, but I'm also told, though the seller wasn't completely sure, that it has a #3 bolthead on it.

Are you suggesting I'm over-worrying? :redface:
Click to expand...
 
RangeRover said:
Thanks for the input, but it turns out the rifle has a No. "0" bolt-head...not a No. 3... That, combined with the overall condition of the rifle has me less worried. (Details on rifle to be posted shortly in Sept. purchases if you're interested) :D
Click to expand...

A "0" bolthead is exceptional news if it is original to the rifle.

Even if your headspace is out through use, you have a lot of room to play with.
 
a "quick and dirty" way of a rough estimate of headspace i use is to remove bolt,unscrew bolthead one turn and put bolt back into receiver.
if the bolt closes (unloaded--no rounds in chamber!!) then i would say you need another bolt head.i've used this method a couple of times and when the lee-enfield got checked with a real headspace guage,the bolt which closed did have excessive headspace...
 
Just one caveat. Use Canadian milsurp gages. SAMMI gages can fail an otherwise safe rifle. And you only need the No-go gage.

Probably not a problem north of the border, but down here, some gunsmiths have the WRONG headspace gages.:eek:
 
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