6.5 wsm barrel threads

**Pcc1421** · 03-06-2020, 11:32 AM

Hey guys, I just received my McGowan 6.5 wsm barrel I've been waiting 4 months for. I had a fit taking the smooth barrel nut off of my model 10 but I finally got it squared away and the new barrel is waiting for headspace gauges to arrive. I have the barrel lightly screwed into the action and the barrel nut is literally finger tight but I'm concerned with the amount of threads still showing after just finger tightening the new barrel nut. I'm sure once it is headspaced properly the barrel will shoot just fine, but I am concerned with the amount of unused threads. Is this normal? Because if I try to screw the barrel onto the receiver anymore, the bolt won't close at all. Even without headspace gauges.

Is this normal?

**bsekf** · 03-06-2020, 11:39 AM

Are you talking 1/8"of threads showing or 1/4" or 1/2"?

**Pcc1421** · 03-06-2020, 11:55 AM

Good question. Again I don't have headspace gauges YET to get a final measurement. But on an empty chamber and just screwed in finger tight, I measured .115" of threads showing. I guess it's just a cosmetic issue as I had the barrel cerakoted black and those stainless threads stick out like a sore thumb. But I ordered a long shank and my barrel nuts are the same from factory/aftermarket. I can upload a picture if that will help.

Thanks

**oley55** · 03-06-2020, 12:44 PM

Just to alleviate your immediate exposed threads concern, why not pop a case into the chamber to use as a rough headspace gauge?

**tobnpr** · 03-06-2020, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Pcc1421

Good question. Again I don't have headspace gauges YET to get a final measurement. But on an empty chamber and just screwed in finger tight, I measured .115" of threads showing. I guess it's just a cosmetic issue as I had the barrel cerakoted black and those stainless threads stick out like a sore thumb. But I ordered a long shank and my barrel nuts are the same from factory/aftermarket. I can upload a picture if that will help.

Thanks

Not clear on how far into the receiver you screwed the barrel??
If you screwed it in until it contacted the rim of the bolthead, you're in .125-.130 too far.

If that's what you did, it accounts for what you're seeing (and those exposed threads will disappear once you back out the barrel when headspacing)

**Robinhood** · 03-06-2020, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by tobnpr

Not clear on how far into the receiver you screwed the barrel??
If you screwed it in until it contacted the rim of the bolthead, you're in .125-.130 too far.

If that's what you did, it accounts for what you're seeing (and those exposed threads will disappear once you back out the barrel when headspacing)

The barrel is usually about .010" off the rim of the bolt head. So if you close the bolt(with the bolt head you are going to use), screw the barrel with the nut and the recoil lug into the receiver until it makes contact with the bolt head you are within .010" plus or minus where the barrel will end up at correct headspace. Once you run the nut down to contact with the recoil lug, you will have a good indication of how many threads will be exposed if any.

**mudpig** · 03-06-2020, 03:22 PM

A thicker recoil lug would take up much of the extra thread if neccessary.

**tobnpr** · 03-06-2020, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by Robinhood

The barrel is usually about .010" off the rim of the bolt head. So if you close the bolt(with the bolt head you are going to use), screw the barrel with the nut and the recoil lug into the receiver until it makes contact with the bolt head you are within .010" plus or minus where the barrel will end up at correct headspace. Once you run the nut down to contact with the recoil lug, you will have a good indication of how many threads will be exposed if any.

Thanks. Misspoke, I was thinking boltface and not rim...