Do Headspace Gauge brands matter

[azguy]

Thanks gb,
I was aware of those, but testing the poster's claim. Holding his tolerances on brass is easy with good control of annealing, lube & sizing technique. But the average guy doing only one common caliber is not probably going to achieve those results because of differences in brass and technique.
More power to him if he does and hoping he could share this with others.
Wasn't trying to offend anyone.

Holding close tolerances on brass is just a matter of spending the time. Also having good accurate equiptment. I always use the same brand of brass. I have a luxuary most do not have TIME. I also spent a life time as an engineer and tool maker. Setting the headspace on my guns I have a good feel, I fire 5 new rounds and record my readings. If I am not happy I do it over.
Probably I was to harsh in my statement, What ever works for you. My thoughts on teaching to work on their gun is teach the proper method and if he wants to shortcut let him thank that out on his own, after all we do not know what his skill level is.

[mnbogboy2]

Thanks azguy for clarification and adjusting MY attitude.
We are all in this together and transferring our experience to the youngsters and newcomers is most important.
Personally, I only use go gauges, tape and feel. I actually have a no go gauge or two but have never used them.
However, a novice could get that extra bit of self-assurance using one on his first and early barrel installs.
It would always be best to learn while in the presence of experience but for some that is not always possible.

There was actually no "crude" advice given but as I feel now my comment was rude and I apologize.

Your method of taking your time to get it right is definitely my method. I will tighten & loosen that barrel nut 5 times if that what it takes to get the "feel" I want on the go gauge. After a while it gets easy and seems routine, but to someone who's never done it, they can easily become overwhelmed or discouraged.

Hoping that the OP learns the process and reads as much as possible from this forum and others and tackles his first barrel with confidence. There are even a few videos out there describing the process.

Randy

[Robinhood]

I didn't read all of the post on this thread, so I appoligize in advance if I touch on issues that are resolved.

It is awesome that you are looking to become a Savagesmith. Gunsmithing is quiet different and much more advanced than adjusting a trigger or swapping a barrel on most Savage rifles.

A go gauge is all that is needed. Remove the firing pin for a better feel and to protect the tip in case of a accidental release of the sear.
For a no go, a shim in the bolt face made from a aluminum can can be cut by scissors and a relief cutout for the ejector works well for me.

Index marks with a marker and a scale on the barrel and recoil lug and action before tightening will tell you if your action and barrel have maintained their position or have rotated during the tightening process. A small amount of rotation changes the headspace significantly. The marks are removed with alcohol.

While your firing pin is out, it is a good time to test your ammo in your chamber.

Good debate often refines all of us to be better and get new ideas. You can learn a lot even from an idiot.

[wbm]

You can learn a lot even from an idiot.

While I do agree with you on a philosophical level, I think AOC and Omar may be exceptions.

[Robinhood]

Even there, we have learned that leftist are intolerable, criminal in there methods and anti American. Democrats were not anti second amendment. They were also pro worker at one time. Pro free market. Pro America. The party was hijacked and with out the ones mentioned we may never have seen the transition until it was too late.

[Ted_Feasel]

Even there, we have learned that leftist are intolerable, criminal in there methods and anti American. Democrats were not anti second amendment. They were also pro worker at one time. Pro free market. Pro America. The party was hijacked and with out the ones mentioned we may never have seen the transition until it was too late.

I think it was Roosevelt that actually warned the houses and the country that the Democrat party had been infiltrated by the communist party and told us that this was going to happen... I may be wrong about it being roosevelt but I'm pretty sure it was him

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[Robinhood]

Hence McCarthyism. Good when its for America but as we are learning it is also practiced by the Communist. Fight fire with fire

[Ted_Feasel]

Hence McCarthyism. Good when its for America but as we are learning it is also practiced by the Communist. Fight fire with fire

I think Kennedy saw it coming also.. not to sound like a conspiracy theorist but I DO believe that is why he was taken out.. he despised communism and its economic counterpart socialism. Kennedy was very much a conservative in alot of ways (before people get the undies in a bunch, notice I used the word ALOT, he was not conservative party)

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[mnbogboy2]

Ted, Robin & Bill.....right on..
Agree with you all.

[Dave Hoback]

Even there, we have learned that leftist are intolerable, criminal in there methods and anti American. Democrats were not anti second amendment. They were also pro worker at one time. Pro free market. Pro America. The party was hijacked and with out the ones mentioned we may never have seen the transition until it was too late.

Robin my friend, I read this with a HUGE smile on my face brother!

Republicans- I toil & work, and I eat.

Demonrats- YOU toil & work, and “I” eat!

Here are a few FACTS that people gave “conveniently” forgotten about:

“The democrat party defended slavery, started the Civil War, opposed reconstruction, founded the Ku Klux Klan, imposed segregation, perpetrated lynchings and fought AGAINST the Civil Rights acts of the 1950’s & 60’s.


President Johnson and the Democrats were against the 13th Amend. Which abolished slavery, the 14th Amend. Which gave citizenship to blacks & the 15th. Amend. Which gave blacks the right to vote.”

[GrenGuy]

Hijack Alert! What Say Yea Moderators

[mnbogboy2]

Hijack Alert! What Say Yea Moderators

In this day and age you have to inject the truth in whenever you can because the young people aren't getting it in school or college anymore. They are only getting "selective" history.
We can't give them an "inch" or we will end up losing more rights and even the opportunity to express our opinions in these forums.
That would include our thoughts on headspace gauges!

[Dave Hoback]

Hijack Alert! What Say Yea Moderators

Yeah it did. But what mnbogboy2 said is SO the truth!

[Ted_Feasel]

In this day and age you have to inject the truth in whenever you can because the young people aren't getting it in school or college anymore. They are only getting "selective" history.
We can't give them an "inch" or we will end up losing more rights and even the opportunity to express our opinions in these forums.
That would include our thoughts on headspace gauges!

I agree

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[Ted_Feasel]

As far as brands I've always used clymer and forster.. I'm sure there are several worthwhile brands

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[at4rxj]

High level summary - both would be good for beginners and for a cheap double check / insurance, but for an experienced gunsmith or precise / known tolerances a different method could be used. Is that fair?

[Ted_Feasel]

High level summary - both would be good for beginners and for a cheap double check / insurance, but for an experienced gunsmith or precise / known tolerances a different method could be used. Is that fair?

I think it's fair if I understand what your saying lol.. just for my clarity.. your saying the feeler gauge method is ok for non precision or just a ameture gunsmith not to concerned with precision but if you want precision then go with a matched set of go/no go?? If that's what your saying I would say that is a fair statement:) btw, not intending to be argumentative or condescending, honestly just wanting to know if I understood what you meant

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[oley55]

Mentally, I was just about "all in" on using a feeler gauge with a GO gauge to check for NO-GO until today, when I mic'ed my 30+ year old (no name) Made in the USA (and rust free) feeler gauges. The .002"=.0036", .003=.0052", .004=.004"!!!???!!! Having measured the .002 and .003, I was about convinced my cheapo Lyman 1" micrometer was having issues. That was until I measured the .004" and it was dead on. I guess the moral of this story is; "not all feeler gauges are created equal", USA made or otherwise.

So buying some high end feeler gauges to cut up to save buying a Forster NO-GO gauge for $28.50 doesn't seem quite so frugal to me now.

It would be interesting to know if +/- .002" is the acceptable standard for feeler gauges.

[Ted_Feasel]

Mentally, I was just about "all in" on using a feeler gauge with a GO gauge to check for NO-GO until today, when I mic'ed my 30+ year old (no name) Made in the USA (and rust free) feeler gauges. The .002"=.0036", .003=.0052", .004=.004"!!!???!!! Having measured the .002 and .003, I was about convinced my cheapo Lyman 1" micrometer was having issues. That was until I measured the .004" and it was dead on. I guess the moral of this story is; "not all feeler gauges are created equal", USA made or otherwise.

So buying some high end feeler gauges to cut up to save buying a Forster NO-GO gauge for $28.50 doesn't seem quite so frugal to me now.

It would be interesting to know if +/- .002" is the acceptable standard for feeler gauges.

I say this with no source to back it up but I would think feelers should be within .000X but as unsaid I really dont know.. I have some really nice sets my dad left me, I'll mic them and see what I get

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[Ted_Feasel]

That's a .024.. dead on, .0015 dead on. These are probably 25+ year old set

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[Ted_Feasel]

That's equipment used, I checked 3 other sizes and all were dead on:)

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[oley55]

I guess a 'No Name' brand Made in the USA means they were too embarrassed to put their name on it.

[mnbogboy2]

Mentally, I was just about "all in" on using a feeler gauge with a GO gauge to check for NO-GO until today, when I mic'ed my 30+ year old (no name) Made in the USA (and rust free) feeler gauges. The .002"=.0036", .003=.0052", .004=.004"!!!???!!! Having measured the .002 and .003, I was about convinced my cheapo Lyman 1" micrometer was having issues. That was until I measured the .004" and it was dead on. I guess the moral of this story is; "not all feeler gauges are created equal", USA made or otherwise.

So buying some high end feeler gauges to cut up to save buying a Forster NO-GO gauge for $28.50 doesn't seem quite so frugal to me now.

It would be interesting to know if +/- .002" is the acceptable standard for feeler gauges.

Maybe both tools are errant?
Buy the no-go and be done with it.
You don't need measuring tools at all other than the chamber gauges.
Here's one to ponder on I have a PTG go gauge that is laser etched 257 roberts ackley improved 40°. It is .018 shorter than it is supposed to be. Or the dies I've used for 15 years are .018 deep. After reaming to match the dies fired brass measures to print so the go-gauge was obviously marked wrong and is meant for something else.
Trust but verify!

[oley55]

Yea, I already did order GO and NO-GO gauges. I was just sharing an observation about feeler gauges and the "trust, but verify".

[Robinhood]

Yea, I already did order GO and NO-GO gauges. I was just sharing an observation about feeler gauges and the "trust, but verify".

After a couple of hundred barrel swaps you refine what works best for you and what you have learned to be inefecteive. Like how we learned who will call on the moderators when someone gets their feelings hurt. North to AK.