Optimum Headspace

[Hammerhead]

On a custom chamber, what is the optimum headspace?
I saw on Gordy's video he calls for .005, is this right, or do you go tighter?

Thanks,
Hammerhead

 

[wnroscoe]

On BR chambers, slight felt resistance on a go during bolt closure seems to be the norm. .0002" to .0005" over a go would also be fine. .005" is way too much over a go.

 

[GordyGritters]

Hammerhead, not sure where you thought I set the headspace at .005" - that would be looser than a No-Go gauge and would be way wrong! I always set headspace to end up at .000" to +.0005" after the action is tightened onto the barrel.

In the video, on this particular BAT action, I left about .0004" to .0005" initial "headspace" clearance to the Go gauge with the action hand-tight on the barrel in the lathe. This allows for a little crush to bring the actual headspace to zero when the action is tightened onto the barrel after it is out of the lathe.

Some actions take a little more in-the-lathe pre-clearance "headspace", up to .001" - .0015" especially with actions using a separate recoil lug, to get the actual headspace to come out around zero when the action is tightened onto the barrel.

If you remember at the end in the video, you could see the bolt handle closing loosely on the Go gauge in the lathe, then closing snugly against the Go gauge after the action was tightened onto the barrel - right at zero!

Gordy Gritters

 

[Hammerhead]

Thanks Gordy!!!!!
Nice to see you are still around!!!!!!

Hammerhead

 

[GordyGritters]

Thanks! I'm always around, but am usually busy enough I don't take time to post very often! I sure enjoy keeping up on what's going on, though. We all learn from each other, which is a good thing!!!!

Gordy