Silly Question and range report.

[Kman]

I visited the range a while ago, taking with me my new Lb No.4 Mk.1*, with a #2 bolt head , a friend brought a sporterized SMLE and Ross. His SMLE gave me consistent 3 inch groups at 200 yards, as did the Ross. This was shooting a mix of Hornady and Winchester (I don't reload, yet). However, upon shooting my No.4, the brass got caught up in the chamber after firing. Upon closer inspection the case had been stretched drastically near the rim.

I say this is a silly question because I know it must be headspace, I fitted a #3 bolt head over an empty cartridge and it fit, although I don't have gauges to check anything for real. This is troubling me simply because:

A) the whole rifle is in very good shape, it's '50 dated, all numbers match, the bore is shiny, and the bluing is very good.

B) The bolt head is an obvious recycle, its bare metal, the markings have been punched off it, and when placed in any other bolt, it can be tightened nearly 1/4 of a turn more than others I've seen.

C) I really hope I didn't spend my money on a burned up pos wall hangar

I haven't fired it since, I'm kinda keeping my fingers crossed for your verdict fellas. Thanks in advance

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[us019255]

The start of diagnosis is simple, but will cost some money. Either purchase a set of headspace gauges, or hire someone to check the headspace. Simple and will save your face.

If headspace is long, get the proper bolt head.

[Peter Laidler]

I'll have to very slightly disagree with us in thread 2. But only slightly...... KMan, since you or someone has changed your bolthead (just let me sigh in dispair and bang my head in frustration.........) and now you just don't know what you've got except a pi55 poor fitting bolt head that overturns. Read and inwardly digest a thread that relates to fitting up a bolt PROPERLY. Some kindly soul wil resurrect it.....

Then beg, borrow or steal a set of .064 -074 CHS gauges or make your own or just a .064 and stick a .010" shim to it with a smear of oil. If it CHS's up correctly then any faults will be an ammo problem. But that is simplifying it all......

[paulseamus]

Kman

Here is the link Peter has referred you to.

http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...0boltheads.pdf

And here is where you can get a set of guages.

Arrowmark Tool

Happy days.

Paul

[Trung Si]

Where can I get those Gauges in the US, I don't want to get on our DHS hit list, by getting them from Britain in the Mail!

[gsimmons]

Brian Dick at BDL Ltd in SC may be able to help. bdlltd.com and he's a forum sponsor.

[Peter Laidler]

While you're there, ask Brian to set your bolt up properly after you have maanaged to get the CHS and duff bolthead overturn right

[Brian Dick]

You can order a custom .074 field gauge from Forster. Do NOT buy the SAAMI spec field gauge as it's useless in most service Lees. The .064 go gauge is standard. I used to stock excellent gauges from Australia but the weak US dollar put a stop to that because very few folks would spend the money for them. You can order them direct if you like from Arrowmark Tool and Gauge. They consist of .064 go, .067 no-go, (Vickers gauge), and .074 field.