Noobie question

[mvarley84]

I just bought my first Enfield...a no4 mk1*. I have heard a lot about headspacing, and I know what it is...however I have absolutely no idea how to check my headspace......I tried the search function but apparently its not working right now....any assistance is appreciated.

Mike

 

[Steppenwolf]

Mike,

Contact CGN member GAIRLOCHIAN and buy a no go gauge off of him. This will let you know if the headspace is excessive. His prices are very reasonable.

 

[LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1]

Head spacing is the distance from the end of the bolt to the chamber. Basically room for the head of the case. (My definition may be a little off) But anyways, a good indicator of loose head spacing is the primer popping out a little. You can get tools for it but it is probably easier to take it to a good gunsmith. My No.1 is a little off when it comes to head spacing. Unless it is absolutely horrible, its not a big deal.

 

[BUSHMAN79]

The primer will only pop out with mild loads. It will flatten when using more powerful ammo. When the firing pin goes forward, it pushes the cartridge forward, taking up the excess headspace. As long as the chamber is dry, and the round isn't too hot, the primer will back out. This will show you how much headspace you have. With a hotter load, or an oily chamber, the cartridge will slide back on firing, and the primer will flatten on the bolthead. Looks just like a sign of high pressure. It really does have to get grossly loose to become dangerous with a rimmed cartridge. Old 30-30's, for example,are often used right up until the primers actually fall out. It's more important that both locking lugs are bearing on the rear locking Lee action, than it is that the headspace is tight.

 

[mvarley84]

excellent thanks a lot guys. I just got back from the range, and my headspacing looks good. Thanks again for all your help.

 

[louthepou]

And welcome to the Enfield addiction

Lou

 

[bigedp51]

You can check headspace on your Enfield without headspace gauges if you have a set of feeler gauges or a set of vernier calipers.

With an empty UNFIRED case and feeler gauges you can check your head gap clearance* or the distance from the bolt face to the rear of the case (* the air gap that causes the case to stretch in the web area and causes all the problems)

You can also do this on the .308/7.62 2A1 Enfield’s to get your head gap clearance but remember the average 308/7.62 case being rimless is also .002 shorter than minimum headspace, this means you would subtract .002 from your feeler gauge measurement to get a close approximation of your actual headspace.

The second way to check headspace is again to use an empty UNFIRED case and measure its length and write down this measument.

Next insert a used spent primer into the primer pocket.

Now slowly chamber the empty case and fully close the bolt, this seats the primer but part of the primer will be sticking out of the back of the case (your head gap clearance) Now slowly remove the case and remeasure the total case length and write it down.

Now subtract your first case measurement from your second case measurement and you will have your head gap clearance in thousandths of an inch.

Next you measure your rim thickness and add this to your head gap measurement and this will give you your actual headspace measurement.

Example:
First case measurement 2.222
Second case measurement 2.231
Rim thickness .058

2.231 – 2.222 = .009 (nine thousandths) and this is your head gap clearance
.009 + .058 = .067 or actual headspace reading.

I prefer to disassemble the bolt and remove the extractor and spring as this will give you more accurate readings with your feller gauge and seating your primers. To some of you these two methods might be crude or seam a little shade tree but it does work, trust me I also have a full set of headspace gauges and the primer system of measurement is very accurate.