Setting head space on a belted magnum?

[Danny1788]

Heres a good question, so I have heard of people saying they set head space up on a 7mag or a 300win on the shoulder to make there brass last longer? How are they doing this? They dont make go gauges for belted magnums with shoulders do they? all i have seen is the standard belt magnum go and no go gauges...

 

[watercam]

There are a couple of ways to measure your rifle's headspace. Simplest is to unscrew your die a quarter turn (on magnums might be almost a half turn) and size a fired piece of brass. Insert the case into your rifle and close the bolt slowly while pulling the trigger (so you are not feeling the bolt cock). This is, obviously, not a loaded round, just the empty case. You should feel some resistance to actually closing the bolt. Turn the die in 1/16 turn and resize. Repeat the steps until the bolt will close with very slight resistance or just none.
Wilson makes case gauges for just about all cartridges, if not they will make one for you at no extra charge.
Third would be shoulder bump gauges or inserts where an insert specific to your cartridge neck angle sits atop the fired case shoulder and one can then measure the length of the fired case shoulder. Adjust your die until the shoulder is pushed back (bumped) from .001-.002" for a repeater (.0005"-.001" for single loading).
Sinclair and Midway will have gauges and inserts or go direct to Wilson.

 

[Danny1788]

Thanks for your reply i was actually asking about setting the head space while chambering sorry if that was confused.

 

[shortgrass]

Head space it when cutting the chamber using the GO/NO GO gauges. Headspace the case to the chamber using the shoulder when reloading.

 

[Rustystud]

Short grass gave you a good answer. Head spacing a belted magnum off the shoulder can cause you a compound issues. I have never seen a belted magnum reamer change its specs the belt is always relative to the case. Cut your chamber and use steel go and no go gauges that measure off the belt. Then use a virgin case to check for neck, shoulder, and web clearance. The bolt should close on a virgin case and extract with your index finger and thumb nail without resistance. Use your dies to just fit the case. The least amount of bumping and sizing is best. You don't want to exercise your brass.
Nat Lambeth

 

[Danny1788]

Thanks guys that's exactly the info I was looking for..

 

[X Ring Accuracy]

Head space it when cutting the chamber using the GO/NO GO gauges. Headspace the case to the chamber using the shoulder when reloading.

Couldn't type it better myself