Another headspace question for No4 MK1

[LongRifle75]

Quick question, Ive got a No4 MK1 (F) dated 1/49 I bought last year. The gun is matching numbers except for the bolt and body. I haven't fired it yet and was looking at getting some headspace gauges (Okies) and don't know which to get. Ive read where some people use the GO, NO-GO, and FIELD gauges, some just use the NO-GO and FIELD gauges, and some people just use the FIELD gauge.

Can I just use a FIELD gauge or do I need to get all 3 or just go with a NO-GO and FIELD? The ammo Ill be firing is the Prvi Partisan 174gr FMJs. I don't reload so that's not an issue for me.

Thanks

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

Fit the bolt to the body correctly as per the detailed instructions on this very forum somewhere. Or have it done by someone who knows what he's doing as opposed to some enthusiastic amateur. Brian Dick at BDL is about 2" from you in SC according to my world atlas

Next a question for you. In Britain, where we invented the rifle, we have never used anything except the standard .303" GO and NO gauges of .064" and ,074". So why on earth would anyone in the known universe want to put a gauge inbetween and call it a field? Save yourself the money! Get bolt fitted properly and get the CHS done to those specs.

[Brian Dick]

Forget the Okie coin gauges. Get real mil spec gauges. The GO gauge at .064 is standard but you will have to call Forster or Clymer to get them to make you a custom .074. I used to stock MoD spec gauges here but the company in Austrailia that made them doesn't offer them anymore.

[butlersrangers]

Peter: (IIRC) In the U.S., it is the 'Field' gauge that would measure .074". (The 'No Go' is the intermediate gauge).

In general, if a bolt closes on the 'No Go' gauge, it may indicate a problem. However, a rifle may still be useable, if the bolt does not close on the thicker 'Field' gauge.

Crazy, the order in which we named them in the U.S. - Min. 'Go' / Int. 'No Go' / Max. 'Field'.

[Brian Dick]

We ignore the U.S. SAAMI specifications when working on Lee Enfield Rifles. It's pretty much useless. Except of course the GO spec of .064 which is the same.

[Peter Laidler]

It's not a point that warrants any discussion! When I buy a VW car, I don't make waves or want trouble so I stick to the VW spec when I service it. When I buy a Lee Enfield I refer to the manufacturers spec.................. It really is as simple as that!

[Vincent]

Apex has .064" GO and .074" NO-GO gauges.



Headspace Gauge, 303 British, MINIMUM, 1.63 mm (0.064 in.)

Headspace Gauge, 303 British, MAXIMUM, 1.88 mm (0.074 in.)

[Vincent]

They also have a .070" “BASE MAXIMUM”

[Bear43]

That "Base Maximum" is what is termed the No Go gauge here in the US and is the cause of so much confusion. I think it was done in the US just to separate people from their money and make them worry about nothing. In my opinion it should be scrapped. As Peter and Brian stated, the .064 and .074 are the specs and are all that matter.

[CINDERS]

I had a competent machinist make me up a set .064, .067, .074 I gave him a WWII Mk VII round to set the gauges taper made them 1 inch long I checked them with a caliper they are bang on I still do not know why I had the .067 made up but for a 12 pack of beer it was a good investment and who's complaining.

---------- Post added at 03:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:53 PM ----------

Sometimes the barter system is used in Aus to acquire things I cannot say how long it took him to turn them up but I think I got out of it pretty cheap