All this headspace information

[Edward Horton]

I suppose the bottom line here is, the SAAMI specs are not applicable to .303 British chambered milsurps for the simple reason they were never taken into account when the specs were done. By default, refer to the British H/S specs of .074" NO GO.
As you suggest, there should be very little concern about any of these sets of data due to the individuals own circumstances, except for re-loaders of commercial brass for milsurp rifles. The idea of having slightly tighter H/S for this situation to increase the lifespan of the brass is a $$$ consideration only and not in any way associated with safety concerns.

Of the several head separations I have seen and asked the shooters about, none could say they realised the case had failed untill they opened the bolt. I carry a ruptured case extractor to the mound, but have never needed it. I have seen one bloke have to use his during a rapid and still got ten shots away (with a compulsory reload) in 70 seconds. It's not the end of the world, just a little delay.

Son

The American SAAMI sets standards for civilian commercial ammunition and firearms only and it has NOTHING to do with American military standards or British and Commonwealth military standards. (Note: for some reason the M-14 and the Canadian FN C1A1 (FAL) have the same headspace settings and I think the British L1A1 has different headspace settings?)

My 1943 American Remington made Springfield 03-A3 30-06 ate Winchester cases in its long and fat military chamber like my .303 Enfield does, BUT Winchester cases in my 30-30 and .243 Winchester have NEVER given me any problems what so ever.

Our American SAAMI commercial cases were never designed to shoot in fatter and longer military chambers and this is one of the reasons why some match grade M-14s are rebarreled with SAAMI chambers and set to SAAMI headspace settings.

Below a complete set of American .308/7.62 headspace gauges in .001 increments.




Son, headspace standards are set by whose shoes or boots you are wearing and by what country the shoes and boots are located in.

I don’t wear military combat boots anymore and I have to take orders from the SAAMI on the care and feeding of my brass.



Look at this way Son, what do you think the headspace settings are for the Chinese copy of the American M-14 rifle are, the Chinese do not like the U.S. or the SAAMI. (read below)

http://www.fulton-armory.com/M14S_Eval.htm

Information

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[Son]

Our boots may be on different sides of the planet, Mr Horton, but we sing from the same hym sheet.
For interest sake, the H/S gauges for an Aussie L1A1 are 1.6325 inch (accept), 1.638 inch ("soft body reject") and 1.640 inch (reject)