Again, be carefull as it takes little time to end up on the other side. Clean out all oil etc before each test to see where you are at!It Dont shoot good anyway???? If it won't close on a go gauge are you standing on the bolt handle to get it to close on a cartridge? Probably won't shoot very well doing that. A little clean up in that chamber might do wonders. Whirlwind has pretty good advice.
Hi Whirlwind--Thanks for the reply. I bought this rifle new some years ago. It didn't shoot to good so I put it aside until recently I decided to see what I could do with it. Round count is under 200. I just checked headspace for first time recently. I cleaned the chamber thoroughly today and bolt still will not close on a go gauge. It will close on a factory load with a little extra force on the bolt handle. Bore looks good but it appears chamber is cut very crooked in relation to bore. Your post provided me with the info about hand clambering I was looking for. On this one I've decided to pull the barrel and cut about .400" off the breech. Then Rechamber it and use a good recoil lug. This way I can control headspace, check the lug seats, and hopefully clean up the throat. I know I won't straiten out the chamber but it will be a fun project. If it doesn't work I think I'll make an AR-15 barrel out of it. Thanks again for the helpIf it has been shot much I don't think the throat and Wylde reamer will be the issue. Recutting the throat takes little effort. In fact depending on round count and possible throat wear with a factory chamber you may not even cut any of the throat? Have you checked lug contact yet and or made sure every thing is clean(don't check it dry,make sure there is some lube on lugs so you don't gall things)? I doubt you would have to remove more than a couple thousandths as most are almost too deep from the factory unless you have screwed another used/new barrel on a used action? Still won't be much metal removal I am guessing? With sometimes a used/work hardened existing chamber could result in chatter on shoulder unless you keep pressure steady and constant which will be your biggest concern turning by hand. Well, at least that has been the only issue I have encountered. If you have no worries about 'bad luck' like I usually run into then get after it. Use of a good cutting oil is of utmost importance to get a clean cut/finish and not trash your reamer. Don't know if this ramble will help you at all or not.
Hi Riesel-- Cheaned the heck out of this chamber today. Still won't close on a go gauge. I think it came this way new I just haven't checked headspace until now. Thanks Hoz
Hi acklyman. Cleaned this chamber today and looked it over best I could with a bore scope. Still won't close on go gauge. On to the next step. Thanks
Fred. I should have but I didn't catch it for a few years and so I figure it's to late. Thanks
That is what I think to. It does close harder on factory ammo but it will close. I guess the camming action will move the softer brass but not steel of go gauge. Handloads I have to turn my size die down until the press cams over to get it to close on them. I think the unfired brass is softer. I suppose my gauge could be off a little. I checked to make sure it was the go gauge. I wish you lived closer Id bring it over for you to check out. I dont think there is a gunsmith within a 100 miles of me that works on stuff like this. Id like a 2nd opinion for sure but it doesnt matter cause ive decided to cut it off. Thanks
Thanks patrol. I may do that.
Thanks Shaggy-- all good points --I will check them out- I think I will cerrosafe this today.Several items in the post raise red flags. "Bore looks good but it appears chamber is cut very crooked in relation to bore." A little cerro-safe and some measuring can confirm this. Go guage doesn't fit. Is it a 5.56 Go guage? Or is it a .223 Remington go-guage? They are different, however slightly, they are different.
"Handloads I have to turn my size die down until the press cams over to get it to close on them." If your dies size your brass so they fit the gun, what is the issue? You don't shoot the go-guage. If it doesn't fit is really a moot point if ammo fits.
Have a bore scope? I would bet you have a burr in the chamber. Check your brass to see if any marks in the neck that could possibly be cause by a burr. You might also get some .223 Remington ammo and some 5.56 ammo and see if one fits better than the other. Again, minor differences, but can seem like big problems.
Steve
And go S-L-O-W and careful.....cleaning and checking often.
