I think I have excess headspace

[Dknight]

Hey guys. I just received new Clymer Go and No Go (SAAMI) gauges in the mail. Here’s my problem...my 1903 bolt closes on Go AND on the No Go gauge. I tried the No Go gauge with and without the extractor installed on the bolt. Should I purchase a Field gauge? I’m pretty disappointed because I wanted to shoot this rifle. Thanks.

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[ArtPahl]

I can only tell you what I have done in an instance like yours. I have a Rock Island with .025" excess headspace (it appears a previous owner ran a chamber reamer in too far). I expand the neck of the cartridge case to .32 or.33 caliber and then incrementally neck them back down until the bolt will close with some resistance. If you wish to use factory cartridges, you can dis-assemble them, remove the decapping pins from your dies, do the above re-sizing, and put them back together. Of course, if you don't reload---.

Your field gauge idea is a good one. If your rifle passes the field gauge test it would be safe to fire but the cartridge cases would be compromised and may not be suitable for reloading.

---------- Post added at 09:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:29 AM ----------

I forgot to mention: If your bolt closes on the No Go gauge with any resistance, the headspace is acceptable. But you probably already know that.

[browningautorifle]

Your field gauge idea is a good one.

We had a long thread here before about this sort of thing and it was decided that the field gauge was the deciding factor. If the field gauge was OK it was more important than the other two.

[John Beard]

The NO GO gauge is an intended measurement for rifles that are new or have been freshly re-barreled. Failure to swallow the NO GO gauge means that the rifle is new and has a full service life ahead. The FIELD gauge is intended to measure when rifles are worn out and are at end of life. So your rifle swallowing the NO GO gauge simply means that your rifle no longer new. You need a FIELD gauge.

As an alternative, you can simply fire some rounds and look for signs of case stretching in front of the extractor groove. Evidence of case stretching will look like a bright circumferential line in front of the extractor groove that wasn't present before the round was fired.

Good Luck! And stay safe!

J.B.

[Ovidio]

Like here...
Attachment 107522

[Dknight]

Update: I ordered a Field Gauge from Brownells and the bolt does NOT close...phew! Thanks for your help, guys.

[SkyKid]

You also can try a different bolt
Some bolts are longer than others

[pocketshaver]

Like here...
Attachment 107522

ive had factory new brass, loaded and unloaded come with that crappy little line. The real test they say is a bent paper clip catching on that spot inside the case there.