Headspacing?

[MrMajestic]

I read a post on another site that headspace could be changed/set by grinding the recoil lug. I have never thought about this but see no reason why a short chambered barrel, .01-.015", could not be set this way. I service CNC Machine tools for a living but am not a Machinist/Toolmaker by any sense of the word however am quite capable of grinding a lug on a Harig type Surface grinder. The bedding typically has clearance on the sides and front therefore this dimension would not change.
What am I missing? I always thought that the barrel shoulder was turned in a lathe which would require a setup and room for error. If the lug were to narrow one could just start with a new one. We are only talking 10-15 thou.
Thoughts?

 

[serial # 001]

Head spacing is more on the order of .001"-.003".

 

[Keith Glasscock]

A short chambered barrel may not give you adequate bolt nose to barrel shank clearance. That is the only pitfall I can think of.

I would also wonder about the throating and/or chamber finish in a barrel that is meant to be finish reamed.

On the other hand, I'm not a gunsmith and I have zero experience in this. I would ask the barrel maker that makes short chambered barrels if it is possible.

 

[Preacher]

I have seen headspace problems that were near .012 off of where they should be..
A thick recoil lug surface ground to set headspace is not a problem at all, and is done more than you would think...
I remember that Douglas barrels were fully chambered and you just needed to set the shoulder back to do the final headspacing....