Headspace tolerance, is 0.005 too much?

[Dimner]

Quick headspace question. I have a tikka T3x with a new prefit barrel. It closes just fine on a go gauge. Adding a piece of scotch tape to the end of the go gauge and it still closes, with light resistance.

Two pieces of scotch tape and it closes 80% of the way. Also tried a piece of paper (measures 0.0055) on the back of the go gauge and the bolt won't close.

So with that, I estimate my headspace at 0.005"

My questions are.
1) should I be concerned? If I had my way 0.002-0.003 would be the headspace

2)Will 0.005" affect accuracy? This is a hunting rifle that I would like to get 0.5 to 0.75 MOA out to 400yards.

3)Am I going to reget not getting the headspace adjusted after I get this all out together?

Hope that's enough details. Thanks!

 

[Bat Rastard]

If you are a reloader, it is not a problem. You just segregate brass for that rifle.

 

[Doug Beach]

1. No
2. No
3. Only if you’re sharing brass between rifles.
“Light resistance” means there is now contact, and you are compressing the tape. Your actual measurement may be closer to GO than you think.

 

[Riesel]

See above, Doug is correct on "light resistance" as you can't compress a go gauge, though I have
seen some try.

 

[SKWERLZ]

1. No
2. No
3. Only if you’re sharing brass between rifles.
“Light resistance” means there is now contact, and you are compressing the tape. Your actual measurement may be closer to GO than you think.

This!

 

[urbanrifleman]

You're probably at about .0035

 

[LVLAaron]

I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I bet if you tried a solid no go Gage you wouldn't even be able to start the bolt down.

 

[linebaugh]

may be closer to .004. Scotch tape compresses as does paper. I use the aluminum ductwork tape.
.005 is not going to blow your gun up but it may be wise to check bolt nose clearence.

If you reload set up for that chamber and keep in mind it may not fit shared rifles.

 

[Walt Krafft]

No it won't be a problem. Some cartridges have more than .005 between go and nogo.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I bet if you tried a solid no go Gage you wouldn't even be able to start the bolt down.

My thinking as well

 

[AlNyhus]

Your fired brass will be a fit to that rifle...which is how it should be. Set your dies according and you're good to go.

If you start measuring new brass, you'll be surprised how much 'headspace' you can have...it's just not mechanical headspace. -Al

 

[Dgd6mm]

Not that you are, but heavy handed people can start to crush Scotch tape very easily.

I bet if you tried a solid no go Gage you wouldn't even be able to start the bolt down.

I agree with this.

 

[JSH]

I have some brass shim stock I have used when setting headspace. It can and will crush with use, I gave up the tape years ago.

 

[Dimner]

Thank you very much everyone. Glad to see it's nothing to worry about. I always segregate brass per rifle, so I should be good there. And i always bump fired brass as close to 0.002 as i'm able to. (Still working on getting that bump to be more consistent)

Very happy to have this step of the build over and done with

 

[goodbadugly]

I agree with the .002 bump, or better. I dont mined if it closes a little snug. Concentricity is key. I wouldn't worry about .005 at all. Just use the in one rifle and give them a (little) bump. Fit like a glove. JMHO Rob

 

[Kevin Taylor]

Depends, are you or your wife shooting it?

 

[alintx]

I have plenty of ss .005 shim stock if you need some. Be glad to mail you some, or anyone that needs it

 

[tobnpr]

When I need an accurate clearance dimension, I use Plastigage, or a piece of skinny electronics solder stuck on the boltface with a tiny bit of grease to hold it in place.
Squish it against the go gage, pull it off and mike it.

 

[moondog]

I had a VERY early 6BRA built with a reamer that would only work with a .0045- to .005 shoulder bump. Very accurate rifle, but, the brass didn't hold up. Started to get signs of case head separation. New barrel, new reamer, bump is now .0015. So, to accuracy, no. As to brass life, you'll likely pay.