Head space

[possum1]

I'm sure it has been asked before, when using a case to adjust head space do you use a new case or a new SIZED case or does it make any difference ? I'm sure I'll get reply's saying to use the gauge's, but .......... everyone is different.

[warthog97]

Don't slap me, but please just drop the coin on the go/no go gauges. One forum member here even had the awesome idea to get a second no-go gauge and have a couple of thousands milled off to create a 'set-to' gauge. When I get around to switch barreling my savage (too many projects, too little time) I think I'll go that route.

-bnw

[possum1]

Never have slapped anyone for giving advice ;) I've heard and read both way's, called my smith and he uses a empty case. Noticed on the Midway ad " if you have any trouble with the Forster gage contact forster " ??? Makes you wonder " what trouble ".

[Blue Avenger]

FIRED CASE - FULL LENGTH SIZED IN YOUR DIE. you need to set the shoulder with your die. New brass may start life undersized in your die. You are then matching your die and brass to your chamber as close as possible with out custom ( expensive) chamber and die work. If your worried about squishing the brass case, fill it with something like epoxy. for those that say you can even crush that, why are you turning it on that tight?

[possum1]

FIRED CASE - FULL LENGTH SIZED IN YOUR DIE.
Now please bear with me on this. The part I do not understand, how am I going to get a FIRED CASE from this rifle when the head space has not been set yet ? I alway's neck nize with a Lee collet die anyway. Or are you saying ANY fired case sized with my F/L die ?

[~Ace~]

Free method...

Take a piece of brass fired in any bolt .308 neck size set headspace... The take a Factory round and make sure it fits, if it does add one piece of masking tape to the head, close again, it should still fit with little resistance. If it does add a second piece. It may or may not close, if it closes Easy your on the loose side, if it closes hard your on the tight side... add a 3rd piece it should not close...

Generally you want to use a piece of brass fired in a Tight Chamber bolt gun, or FL size it and just bump the shoulder back...

Factory HS tends to be generous, I like mine tight, I want it to be Hard to close the bolt on 2 pieces of tape with a factory round. I have seen new ones that you could close on 3.

[Blue Avenger]

any fired case will be larger then a new one. after you fire a few out of it you could recheck it it you feel like it.

[possum1]

Why couldn't I take the rifle I'm shooting now and measure and so-forth feel around with the case and see how it feel's with the tape and without the tape thread barrel back and forth just to get the feel of thing's ? Wouldn't that be a good idea or not. Don't think I am going to do something stupid by the way I am posting ;) If for any reason I have any doubt about the rifle being unsafe to fire, I will take it to a smith to get it looked at and checked. I honestly think I can do this from the info I've read here and all the reply's I have had from my post.

[Blue Avenger]

go for it! it is like making Koolaid, not hard at all to do.

[possum1]

And you can make different flavors < del>too</ del> ;D

[ozman]

I highly recommend you break down and buy the Forster go/no go gauges. I mean is it worth it for a few bucks to risk your face? Don't mean to sound sour but some things you just don't cheap out on. I bought a set when I head spaced my .220 swift and I don't regret it at all. I still have them to use again and I lived to tell the story. Really just buy the set. Your safety is more important than a few bucks.

[~Ace~]

I highly recommend you break down and buy the Forster go/no go gauge. I mean is it worth it for a few bucks to risk your face? Don&#39;t mean to sound sour but some things you just don&#39;t cheap out on. I bought a set when I head spaced my .220 swift and I don&#39;t regret it at all. I still have them to use again and I lived to tell the story. Really just buy the set. Your safety is more important than a few bucks.


I have measured guages by 3 different makers and All were different

[Blue Avenger]

settle down!

[Dirk]

Hey Ace,

Does that avatar of yours look just like you?

[319]

On the Savage website they say they use a minimum headspace gauge. Where do I find one of those? I used a Forster go gauge when putting my .260 barrel on my 12 action. I closed the bolt with the go gauge, then screwed the barrel in until contact was made, then just because I am new at this and wasn&#39;t sure what to do, I screwed the barrel back out until I felt no resistance while opening and closing the bolt. I tightened the nut, then chambered a once fired case that I had FL sized. It was hard to close the bolt. So what do I do now? I am guessing it shouldn&#39;t be difficult to close the bolt if the head space is correct.

[Blue Avenger]

you had your die set a half turn or so in after it touched the shell holder? the lever stops short or cams over center?

[319]

As per the Hornady instructions I: Raised the press ram to highest position with camming over, then threaded the full length dien into the press until the base touched the shell holder head, then tightened the lock ring and set screw.

Is there another method I should have used, remember this is my first attempt at building my own!!

[possum1]

Kinda like a cana worms ;D As for the die instructions I&#39;ve found out you set them to your rifle chamber, if that makes any sense. The brown truck runs tommorow, that&#39;s when I&#39;ll really be going nut&#39;s with question&#39;s :o

[Blue Avenger]

turn it another 1/4 to 1/2 turn. see it that solves your problem. You may has min spec gauge and a max spec die. see if you push the die a bit harder the brass will fit. other options would be another die or file some of the top of the shell holder.

Another thought. take the barrel back off and measure how much of your gauge sticks out.
should look something like this. have had to send barrels back to have the chamber deepened.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v675/gcidso123/savage/2mzlaja-1.jpg

just the rim and groove showing

[319]

I guess I don't have to worry, I have to send it back any way. Supposed to be an 8 twist, but I have checked it about 30 times now, and it measures between 8.5 and 9 every time.