Head spacing considerations

[louielouie]

I installed a pre-fit 6.5x284 on my Savage 110 and head spacing with the current batch of Lapua brass hasn't been a problem - the Forster Bump die doesn't touch the shoulder when bottomed out and only the Redding FL die seems to reduce the case length at the shoulder when bottomed out. BTW, I don't run 'max' or hi-pressure loads - 51.6g of RL-25 & 140 BTHP gives me an accuracy node w/o going over 50k psi (according to QL).

The issue is that a fired case from this batch of brass are ~ 0.010" longer at the shoulder (using a .40 case instead of a .45 to get up to the datum) than the new unfired batch of Lapua brass I have now. Since the bottomed-out FL die only pushes the shoulder back 2~3 thou, the bolt still has some 'feel' closing on the case, I feel that the barrel was set to minimum head space. So the question is:
[list type=decimal]
[*]Load the bullet out to a 'jam' length - I don't normally jam the bullets and I'm sure the accuracy wouldn't be the same for 100 rds.
[*]Turn the barrel in, head-spacing on the new batch of brass and retire the old brass
[*]Buy/rent and use the appropriate gages when funds allow and don't worry about the difference in the brass.
[*] -> Your opinions here <-
[/list]
I was reading the http://www.clymertool.com/catalogue/ClymerCatalogueVol11.pdf starting on page 12 and the discussion about the difference between a 'GO' and 'FIELD' gage started me thinking about this and why I started these measurements. Thank you.

P.S. I did go back and measure the depth of the plethora of #2 shell holders I have and found one that was 0.0015" less from bottom of shell groove to top and that 'bumped' the cases by that much so the tolerances are looking a little better.

 

[shortgrass]

You installed the barrel to a new case, which is always smaller in size then minimum headspace. They only way to set headspace is with gauges. If you do that, fire a few, and then resize you'll find that the die probably works as it should!

 

[Gundoktr]

Good advice there.

Jim

 

[louielouie]

Thank you - I'll hold off using the new brass until I have gages to confirm head spacing.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

they market barrels to customers without the proper tools to safely do the job. thats the whole point in it- you dont have the proper tools? get a savage! anybody with a pipe wrench can install a barrel. im surprised more people dont talk about all the case failures and explosions. i guess the gunsmith is the ones that hear about it and nobody ever brags about grenading on the forums. :

 

[shortgrass]

I can go to town and walk into the NAPA store and buy a set of brake pads. The only question the counter guy will ask is "do you want GOOD, BETTER, or BEST quality?". It's called freedom....... The freedom to f&$@ yourself or your stuff up. F&$@ someone else up or their stuff, because of your lack of knowledge or abilities, and you might get sued. I'm not defending those who do their own thing, right or not. But I will defend the freedom one has to "bite off more than he can chew", even if it only involves a pipe wrench.