zero headspace

[fourpower]

i have been trying something new! i have set up three of my rifles with zero to not more than -.005 headspace. i anneal everyother firing and am now into neckturning. i am now on 12reloads on my 25-06 brass and havent had to trim yet. the funny thing is all 3 guns set too zero headspace have increased speed by at least 100fps and shoot like a dream! anybody else trying this?

 

[CatShooter]

i have been trying something new! i have set up three of my rifles with zero to not more than -.005 headspace. i anneal everyother firing and am now into neckturning. i am now on 12reloads on my 25-06 brass and havent had to trim yet. the funny thing is all 3 guns set too zero headspace have increased speed by at least 100fps and shoot like a dream! anybody else trying this?

When practical, I shoot my rifles with "0" or negative headspace and cases last forever. I just threw out ~300 cases (22-250) that had ~45 loadings on them and had shot out 5 barrels. They were shot wet for their entire life and only FL sized once, each time barrels were replaced.

 

[amlevin]

If you can close the bolt then what would the problem be? The more expansion you can prevent in a case has to be good.

 

[47WillysGuy]

I would think bolt lugs would eventually gall using a minus clearance. Even using a +0.002” clearance, the bolt lube is wiped away after just a couple of cycles.

 

[hogpatrol]

 

[joshb]

Yes, but I think 47Willysguy is looking for confirmation of his assumption.
I tried 0 headspace. It was too tight and I worried about galling. .002 bump seems to be ok for me and my guns.

 

[rammac]

As long as you don't mind taking a chance that the increased stress and strain will cause a premature failure of the rifle's parts then yes, it will reduce the wear on a pretty cheap cartridge component that could be replaced very easily.

 

[JimSC]

I just installed a new 6CM barrel on one of my Savages last evening. With the GO gage in place I tightened the barrel until I could not close the bolt with one finger without feeling resistance. I then backed the barrel off just far enough to where I could easily close the bolt and snugged the barrel nut. Added a .003 brass shim behind the GO gage and once again tried to close the bolt with one finger and felt resistance, after I removed the shim I could close with one finger again. I set my FL sizing die to the same shoulder measurement as the GO gage. I have used that method now on several barrel replacements now and never had any problems with either bolt lugs, case life or difficulty closing the bolt

That is just what works for me of course

 

[cw308]

I also used the go gage and .002 shim to find the length of my chamber from closed bolt to shoulder , worked great . I full length size from .001 to .002 depending on brass brands , locking lugs wear is something to be on the look for with zero clearance , keep all the camming and locking logs greased.

 

[savagedasher]

I use blue painting tape firm close on one layer and won’t close on two
I do the same with my brass

 

[K22]

For me "zero" head space is an option I would never consider since I'm primarily a hunter. Functionality is just as important to me as accuracy.

Like many, I use to believed the myth that neck sizing produces more accurate reloads and longer case life. After getting some cartridges that wouldn't chamber I searched for a better way.

An experienced precision reloader who shot bench rest educated me - set the shoulder back .001 to .002". After many years of following this advice I can say with complete certainty that full sizing with a .001 to .002" shoulder setback does not degrade accuracy or reduce case life. In addition, I never have to worry about functionality in the field.

 

[Bart B.]

A thousandth or two head clearance (space between case head and bolt face when fired) is best because the bolt will go back into battery exactly the same for each shot.

It helps if the bolt face is squared up with the chamber axis and its lugs lapped to full contact with receiver abutments. Otherwise, 2 to 3 thousandths head clearance may be needed.

 

[Uncle Ed]

So you set the rifles headspace to Zero or the GO gauge and your new cases are .009 shorter than the go gauge??????

The average NO-GO gauge is .003 longer than the GO gauge and both are used for new rifle setup or a barrel change.

The SAAMI lists headspace as min and max with .010 between the two and leaving .007 between the NO-GO and field gauge.

And once you fire the new case it is formed to you chamber and you have zero head clearance.

 

[cw308]

Uncle Ed
Not all the time , my cases get shorter do to expansion . Knowing my chamber length I full size everytime to . .001-2 no more or less .

 

[varget204]

All of my rifles have either .001, or max of.002 headspace,a lot of no-go gages are .005 or more,sammi specs most cartridges .010,those are way to much.I do not use no-go gages, i put a piece of tape/paper/shimstock that is .001-.002 thick on back of Go gage for the No go.I get the most accurate rounds,bump the shoulders .001-.002,brass lasts a lot longer