no5 bolt head

[olskool]

i have excess head space in my no5 carbine. it has a no 0 bolt head. can i simply just put on a no 1 or 2 and give it a try and see if the bolt closes ok? if so, where can i find one?

[Peter Laidler]

You COULD........ but it's not as simple as that. What gauges are you using? Do you have the facilities to check the striker protrusion afterwasds, is the overturn correct.

I''s speak to Brian at BDL in SC

[CINDERS]

Here is a list of bolt heads and how their measurements are not all the same even though they have the same number on them.
Plus there are the recoil surfaces in the receiver that need to be checked after you've changed the bolt head to ensure they are still in correct contact with the bolt.

[olskool]

ok thanks for the replies. i will dig a little deeper before i try that. that is why i asked i have never just swapped one out. i have a no4 and a no1 mk3 the head space is good on, in fact i had a new barrel put on the no1 by Brian dick here in SC that someone on here recommended, it shoots very good. i my contact him,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Alan de Enfield]

Here is a list of bolt heads and how their measurements are not all the same even though they have the same number on them.
Plus there are the recoil surfaces in the receiver that need to be checked after you've changed the bolt head to ensure they are still in correct contact with the bolt.

Nice to see it is still being used - I suppose I should update the table with additional figures.

[72 usmc]

Here we go again. Make sure the bolt matches the rifle. Yes or No? If yes, then you need to see if your bolt closes of an Enfield headspace .074 gauge. Yes or No? If no leave it as is.
If you need a new bolt head you need to know the measurement and then see if what you buy will clock in with the bolt body. If not, then you buy another and see if it clocks in. If not, you but another.... till you get a correct size that clocks in see.... this long GB post to get an idea. lots of great information in that recent post. Note main info. is in Milsurps reference library. see
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=16948 more exactly this one:
http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...ce%20_CHS_.pdf

GB Link No 5 Bolt Face | Gunboards Forums.

Bolt heads are no longer cheep. More like $45-75 each. You might want to consider how off the headspace actually is. You might be better firing fire formed brass with the thickest rim and neck sized reloading with low book charges.

At least all the experts are on this forum andcan help you.

[browningautorifle]

i my contact him,,,,,,,,,,,,,

If you just send it to him, he'll optimize it and return it. It may still separate brass but that's a whole different thing to deal with.

[Bindi2]

You say you have excess head space. How have you come to this concussion. There are many factors that can give false indicators.

[Brian Dick]

I got raked over the coals last year by a guy who was po'd at me for refusing to sell him a single bolt head. He harassed me by email for a bloody week. He was obviously a real exspurt, (defined as a drip under pressure!). I let him run his mouth on and on just hoping he'd get the stupidity out of his system and I'm not sure i was successful. The reason I have a small amount of different sizes to select fit from is because once I learned how to properly assemble bolts, I found it fruitless to sell them one at a time because unless you're real lucky, it'll probably be out of spec and chances are most folks are clueless about fitting bolt assemblies together properly anyhow. Factor in that most bolt heads are not nos and have already been fitted, they are all over the place and as Peter has told us for many years, the number stamped on them is only a rough guide. You must measure them.

That being said: Mike, I'm happy to put your No.5 bolt right if you bring the rifle or ship it over. The correct gauges don't lie. You can disassemble it and just send the barreled body and bolt assembly to save some money if you don't want to visit just like your SMLE. I'm glad you're enjoying it by the way.

Brian

[olskool]

well i have had the rifle and been shooting it and killing deer with for 32 years, i have been handloading since 1967 so i am not a novice shooter. but it is like most Enfield's i have encountered. to keep the brass from separating at the head you must neck size only because of headspace. anyhow i just thought it would be nice to get it completely correct. the no1 mk3 i restored brain dick put the barrel on for me is perfect, he is very good. i may just send it to him. thanks for the replies,,,,,,,,,,,,,,