Headspace question

[handirifle]

On a couple of my factory Savages, ones I have swapped barrels on, and swapped back to original caliber, I have noticed that when using my forstner headspace guages, the barrels do not align to their original settings. What I have seen is sometimes a quarter turn difference. The sad thing is, they shot better new.

I wonder what would happen if I just screwed the barrels back on like they came? Nothing could change from the swaps to make them that far off could it?

[kslefty]

I have taken my .243 apart and put the .243 barrel back on it. I used a piece of resized fired brass from this barrel to set my headspace, after double checking everything a few times the stroke of genius to check the barrel's stamping hit me. Imagine my surprise to see it lined up exactly as before. I would definitely put it back as before if it shot better and you can verify that you are not 1 whole turn out with your barrel.

[lwink]

I would definitely put it back as before if it shot better and you can verify that you are not 1 whole turn out with your barrel.

+1 -- be very careful on this. I'm guessing that your new headspace with the gauge is a bit tighter?? Therefore you'd have to work up new loads as your jump would be off by a good bit, as much as .02" even, which could really change your "accuracy".

[allan1066]

I would get this double checked if I was you. I think one full turn of your barrel will change your headspace by 50 thou so a quarter of a turn is 12 1/2 thou. This a a BIG space when talking headspace.

[Nor Cal Mikie]

I'll start with gauges, get it close then reset to resized brass. Got BR brass that's been fired 10 to 15 times buy bumping the shoulder .0015 to .002. Looking forward to a lot more firings with no problems in sight. ;) The less you move the brass, the longer it will last. ;D

[Uncle Jack]

".......... The less you move the brass, the longer it will last."

Why is it that it takes so long for most folks to understand?

uj

[Nor Cal Mikie]

They have to cry "Uncle" a few times before it sinks in! ;)
On my BR brass as well as my .221 Fireball, I'll bump the shoulder "as needed" and squeeze the neck in a bushing, reload and get back to shooting.
I've got 7 boxes of new Lapua brass if needed but the fired stuff works so well I can't see changing a good thing. And a lot of the time it just takes a squeeze on the neck and it's ready to go. Set the headspace on the snug side and save your brass. ;D

[Blue Avenger]

there are machining tolerances in gauges also, just like everything else made by man.

[JCalhoun]

Maybe the gauge is correct and the headspace was a little bit too long from the factory?

Did you check it with a NO-GO gauge as well?

[handirifle]

Maybe the gauge is correct and the headspace was a little bit too long from the factory?

Did you check it with a NO-GO gauge as well?



Yes, always do.

Allan
Never said one full turn, someone else did. I said AS MUCH as 1/4 turn.

[allan1066]

Allan
Never said one full turn, someone else did. I said AS MUCH as 1/4 turn.


I think one full turn of your barrel will change your headspace by 50 thou so a quarter of a turn is 12 1/2 thou. This a a BIG space when talking headspace.



I'm saying that a 1/4 turn will give you 12 1/2 thou - thats a BIG space.

[Blue Avenger]

mine almost always have the factory print on the barrel turned down just below the edge of the stock.