22RF head space

[DBerry2043]

Please advise proper method for checking 22RF head space.

 

[Tim Slater]

You need headspace gauges. Remove the firing pin and extractors from the bolt. Insert the gauge into the chamber, then close the bolt.

Go and No-go gauges represent the minimum and maximum for a factory bolt-action: 0.043in and 0.046in from memory. The handle should close under normal pressure on the Go gauge, but not close on the No-go. Custom built rifles may have headspace under the minimum, especially if built for Eley.

To find the actual headspace you need graduated gauges. My set goes from 0.040in-0.046in in 0.001in steps. Start with the smallest and work up until the bolt will not lock under normal pressure.

 

[Greenyonline2]

You can use Plasti-Gauge, normally used for checking bearing clearance in engines. Get it at the auto parts store. Put a small piece on the shell, chamber it, remove and measure the width of the “squashed” plastic using the gauge on the package.

 

[Tim Slater]

You can use Plasti-Gauge, normally used for checking bearing clearance in engines. Get it at the auto parts store. Put a small piece on the shell, chamber it, remove and measure the width of the “squashed” plastic using the gauge on the package.

Won't that just give you the clearance behind the case head? Headspace proper (in a .22RF) is the distance from the breech face to the chamber face, where the case crime stops.

Measuring the case rim + plastigauge would come closer.

 

[68Hoyt]

I have used lead fuse wire on the breech face , that gives you the clearance between the bolt face and breech face ( use a micrometer to measure the compressed thickness ) then add the depth of the case recess in the bolt face or the recess in the breech face ( a few manufactures did it that way )
You should end up with .003/ .005 ish
Clearance with a rim recess .040/.038 ish
When you add the two you should be somewhere in the neighborhood of .043 /.046 for most old / newer match rifles
You can use the plastigauge but make sure it is in good condition

 

[Dusty Stevens]

How about just making sure it engraves properly on the bullet you want to shoot?

 

[68Hoyt]

It could engrave good but be a little tight or a lot loose

 

[1Merlin]

Headspace is fitment and depth of engravement is design.

As a general comment.

 

[Tim Slater]

How about just making sure it engraves properly on the bullet you want to shoot?

But if there's some excess in the headspace, wouldn't the bullet engrave more deeply when struck by the firing pin?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

But if there's some excess in the headspace, wouldn't the bullet engrave more deeply when struck by the firing pin?

I guess so since most match reamers dont have a rim right?

 

[NV_Dmax]

How about just making sure it engraves properly on the bullet you want to shoot?

This. 1.5 driving bands for Lapua

 

[Dusty Stevens]

This. 1.5 driving bands for Lapua

What you like on eley tenex?

 

[USMCDOC]

What you like on eley tenex?

Dusty.. my understanding is 2.0 for the Eley

 

[linekin]

I guess so since most match reamers dont have a rim right?

Many do actually. I've got a PTG match, Freeland, & Lilja that all do. Also have a Nevius from JGS that doesn't as I wanted a less engraving than what the above offered.
The Nevius is what I've used lately with good results with Eley chambered deep too. I think its a Myers reamer w/o the rim provision?

 

[NV_Dmax]

What you like on eley tenex?

Never tried to use Eley. I use the Nevius designed reamer.

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

Many do actually. I've got a PTG match, Freeland, & Lilja that all do. Also have a Nevius from JGS that doesn't as I wanted a less engraving than what the above offered.
The Nevius is what I've used lately with good results with Eley chambered deep too. I think its a Myers reamer w/o the rim provision?

Keith, that is correct the JGS Nevius reamer is based off the Myers 1.5 when Kevin asked JGS to remove the stop they said they needed to rename the design for public release they said they would call it Nevius, and Kevin agreed.
FYI Bill Myers also believed in minimum engraving and might be even less than what Kevin found since Bill Myers was shooting Eley.

Lee

 

[linekin]

Never tried to use Eley. I use the Nevius designed reamer.

It will shoot Eley fine. With the Eley I've shot thru mine I don't see any difference than with barrels I've got with a 2 deg. leade. I'd have to see a pretty significant amount of testing to prove otherwise. I doubt many of us shoot well enough to see the actual difference.
Thanks Lee on the confirmation on the Nevius reamer.

 

[Emmett Dibble]

Please advise proper method for checking 22RF head space.

With or without gauges? What type of action? Is the rim cup part of the bolt face or is the bolt face flat and the cup is on the chamber end of the barrel? There are many ways to skin a cat as it were... Commercial/safe head space that you can measure with the depth end of veneer caliper is approx 0.047. That will clear bulk ammo and still be tight enough to get reasonable performance from match ammo.... The "jump" (saami spec) or engraving of the round has nothing to do with headspace. It is strictly a measurement of the area the rim of the case lives in.

YMMV and I AM NOT a professional gun smith...

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I like this style. Engraving, not held to a rim

 

[Emmett Dibble]

View attachment 1367834
I like this style. Engraving, not held to a rim

Not a machinist or even play one on TV....

On an action that the rim cup is in the breech and not the bolt, how do you cut it?

I am assuming when you are reaching your target length on your chamber you have to be very careful with that reamer to not pass it and go too deep?