The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Where can I get .303 go/no-go head space gauges?

Redcat

Got mine from ebay. You'll need to take the spring out of the bolt to use them though which is why mine are still in the packet they came in....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303-Headspace ... Sw0vBUb-3W

I got mine from this guy.

http://www.okiegauges.com/

Should be able to use them right out of the box if they're made right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CbjuHPq90U

Headspace gauges are things that get used by the average shooter once in a blue moon, but when you need one they're not always available and not always cheap. They never wear out unless abused.

What about a list of available gauges that the owner is willing to lend out. A full replacement cost deposit could be sent
then returned, less postage when the gauges are returned in good condition.

Just a thought. I have go gauges in 6mmbr and 6.5-284.

Headspace gauges? Is that a posh word for IQ testin' ?

The Lee Enfield "workshop" manuals say that you should let the bolt slide forward under its own weight, as it's a cock on close design you can't do that with the spring in.
I honestly can't say it's a subject I'm an expert at though :-)

Rockhopper wrote:The Lee Enfield "workshop" manuals say that you should let the bolt slide forward under its own weight, as it's a cock on close design you can't do that with the spring in.
I honestly can't say it's a subject I'm an expert at though :-)

That's correct you have to remove the spring I make an inexpensive tool to do just that.

Quote Headspace gauges are things that get used by the average shooter once in a blue moon, but when you need one they're not always available and not always cheap. They never wear out unless abused.

What about a list of available gauges that the owner is willing to lend out. A full replacement cost deposit could be sent
then returned, less postage when the gauges are returned in good condition.

Just a thought. I have go gauges in 6mmbr and 6.5-284.

Thats a excellent idea I would quite happily leave a full replacement deposit if some one was willing to allow me hire the gauges for a suitable fee.

I recently acquired a set of .303 head space gauges from the USA only to find they are made to SAMMI specs unfortunately the .303 is not made to SAMMI specs so they don't work unless you modify them.

Alpha1 wrote:

Rockhopper wrote:The Lee Enfield "workshop" manuals say that you should let the bolt slide forward under its own weight, as it's a cock on close design you can't do that with the spring in.
I honestly can't say it's a subject I'm an expert at though :-)

That's correct you have to remove the spring I make an inexpensive tool to do just that.

What's the reasoning for this? Is it because the spring gives a false 'feel' reading if it's left in place?

To be honest it's not something I've worried about myself. Head spacing I mean, not the procedure. I have the gauges but haven't had cause to use them - I just wanted them for a just in case scenario - just like I HAD to have all the foresights ... because they were there and cheap at the time.
Now you mention SAAMI specs I've had to email the supplier to ask which way they've gone when designing them.

Mine cycles and extracts everything easily without leaks or dented cases or tightness so I assume it's the Goldilocks setting.
A mate, who is of the mind to fiddle-faddle with everything whether it needs it or not seems to have got his cock on for the most part but finds his is case fussy and has to stick to a few brands for reliability due to slight differences in rim thicknesses. If he runs out on the range and has to buy some in he often finds he's stumped.

Mine will close happily snugly on anything - if it ain't broke don't fix is my thinking.

If you use enough force to get the bolt home past the pressure of the spring then it'll close on any of the gauges giving you a false negative reading. You should hold the rifle vertically then let the bolt slide home under its own weight then attempt to push the lever round to lock it.

I tried my .303 with a field gauge with out removing the spring and it failed. I removed the spring and firing pin. I inserted the bolt and tipped the gun up so the bolt slowly slid into battery I then gently closed the bolt. It would not close on the gauge indicating all was well. If I had just checked with out removing the spring I would have had to declare the gun to be unsafe.