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Military rifles and headspace

jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
edited March 2002 in General Discussion
You know, every time I have gotten a military rifle, people have said, "check the headspace." Now I understand what headspace is and why it is desirable to check it, but I ask you this. Many military guns were purposely made with excessive headspace for very good reasons- they could accept any crummy, poorly made ammo without hitch and work. So if they were purposely made this way, why check it?Also, I'm kind of curious what can be done about it. If there isn't enough, I know the chamber could be re-ground. But if there is too much, unless you can modify the bolt (like in an Enfield) short of rebarreling, what can you do?
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.
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Comments

  • WyomingSwedeWyomingSwede Member Posts: 402 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You could have your gunsmith or machinist take a few threads off the barrel and reduce your chamber in that fashion. Then screw it back in and headspace.
    WyomingSwede
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  • talontalon Member Posts: 150 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    While 'military chambers' may be a large, you are looking at extreemly small measurements. All "Western" military armories that I know of routinely check headspace. Head space more than .0005" longer than called for could lead to shell fracture and gassing. This would ruin your day, but you know that, and you probably also know that if a soldier can't trust his rifle, the whole army is SOL. Recommend that if your chamber doesn't pass the 'go' test, get it taken care of, don't assume all is in order.
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jonk, You're not going to believe this, but I was just looking for a Swedish Mauser stock, and happened to come on this info. on headspace, which I have long thought to be true, and I was just getting ready to post it here, for people to make their own conclusions on. I'll do it on another thread, so as not to ride along on yours, ok? Ryan
    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
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  • woodsrunnerwoodsrunner Member Posts: 5,378 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jonk / Ryan I've got a couple articles you guys should read.Handloaders Digest 1996 #15, 6.5x54 Mannlicher Schonaer by Ray Ordorica.This artice discusses the discrepancies between US ammo & reloading dies made to SAAMI Specs & European rifle chambers.The Backwoodsman, march/april 1995"Choose the practical load for that 7mm Remington Rolling block" George Layman.Discusses the variation amongst early 7x57 chambers. Reminton RB's suffer case head separations with comercial ammo, damaged breech blocks due to excess headspace with modern ammo.Laymans solution to excess headspace is start with virgin brass and fireform to your chamber. From then on neck size only. email me if you'd like more info from these articles.WOODSwoodsrunner10257@aol.com
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