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Ar15 headspacing help?????
- Thread starter trigger_happy57
- Start date
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ALl you need are some dummy snap caps at least. Preferrably you'd have some go and no-go guages. If you need them in a pinch you can get them from a local gun store, probably even your range will have them.
Use the snap caps to manually cycle the gun and ensure the rifle feeds, trigger pulls etc... If the trigger is mil-spec and properly installed you should be fine. If it's adjustable and over adjusted it may cause the trigger to automatically go off when you cycle the charging handle.
The go and no-go gauges are what you use to determine the actual head spacing. Brownells doesn't even recommend the go no-go gauges in their video.
Use the snap caps to manually cycle the gun and ensure the rifle feeds, trigger pulls etc... If the trigger is mil-spec and properly installed you should be fine. If it's adjustable and over adjusted it may cause the trigger to automatically go off when you cycle the charging handle.
The go and no-go gauges are what you use to determine the actual head spacing. Brownells doesn't even recommend the go no-go gauges in their video.
Christ, some of the things you read on the internet.
A Snap Cap does not a headspace gauge make.
The Brownell's video that is referenced above, can be found here:
GunTech : Checking the Headspace & Installing the Ejector - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools
It instructs to check if the bolt will lock into battery on a Field gauge, or not.
That will certainly tell you if your chamber is "too" long, but a Field gauge is well beyond the "No Go".
I'd suggest checking with both the "Go" and "No-Go".
If nobody local chimes in with a set of gauges, you can always rent them from this place (and others) quite inexpensively.
http://www.reamerrentals.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=223Rem%2Eg
It'll take you longer to get your extractor and ejector out than it will to check it the right way.
Then you'll KNOW if your headspace is correct.
A Snap Cap does not a headspace gauge make.
The Brownell's video that is referenced above, can be found here:
GunTech : Checking the Headspace & Installing the Ejector - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools
It instructs to check if the bolt will lock into battery on a Field gauge, or not.
That will certainly tell you if your chamber is "too" long, but a Field gauge is well beyond the "No Go".
I'd suggest checking with both the "Go" and "No-Go".
If nobody local chimes in with a set of gauges, you can always rent them from this place (and others) quite inexpensively.
http://www.reamerrentals.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=223Rem%2Eg
It'll take you longer to get your extractor and ejector out than it will to check it the right way.
Then you'll KNOW if your headspace is correct.
Are .223 SAAMI gauges going to be accurate on a 5.56mm NATO chamber?
pftraining_in
Sharpshooter
Well yes and no, you will need a 5.56 gauge to see if the chamber is properly cut to 5.56. The .223 gauges will tell you if a .223 will fit properly.
Nope.
There hasn't been anything established in this thread as to what chamber the OP has.
They'll rent you either gauge, get what is appropriate to the chamber in question.
In a "perfect world", you'd have a set of match gauges available which would cover the wide range either way, and you know "exactly" what headspace your barrel/bolt combination has.
http://www.forsterproducts.com/clie...ages/files/NATO_Headspace_Gage_NHG001-001.pdf
http://www.forsterproducts.com/clie...Match_Headspace_Gage_223_Rem_HG223MST-001.pdf
This is the prevailing wisdom.
I've assembled or helped assemble dozens of 223/556 AR rifles and right or wrong, never really bothered checking headspace with known quality parts. I've checked a few with a Field gauge.
The outside dimensions of .223 and 5.56 cases are supposed to be identical, a 5.56 chamber has a longer throat than 223. So I'm not sure why 223 and 5.56 gauges are offered. If you really want to check make sure to remove the ejector and extractor from your bolt.
The outside dimensions of .223 and 5.56 cases are supposed to be identical, a 5.56 chamber has a longer throat than 223. So I'm not sure why 223 and 5.56 gauges are offered. If you really want to check make sure to remove the ejector and extractor from your bolt.
OMG, NO, NOT ELMORES
Call Mark, at Bradis, or check with the guys, down at USDS .....
JMHO, YMMV .....
sloughfoot
Grandmaster
Years ago, when a barrel with extension was sold to a consumer, you had to pay extra for a bolt that came with it.
One magical day, all the manufacturers of barrels had a cup of coffee together and decided that all mil-spec bolts are exactly the same. Prices for barrels dropped $85 overnight.
The only bolts that need headspace checked are chrome bolts. Because the plating decreases headspace.
Go to Kreiger barrels website. He talks about it there.
If still in doubt, fire one round. Put that case in your Wilson case gauge. If it is inside the limits, you are GTG.
One magical day, all the manufacturers of barrels had a cup of coffee together and decided that all mil-spec bolts are exactly the same. Prices for barrels dropped $85 overnight.
The only bolts that need headspace checked are chrome bolts. Because the plating decreases headspace.
Go to Kreiger barrels website. He talks about it there.
If still in doubt, fire one round. Put that case in your Wilson case gauge. If it is inside the limits, you are GTG.
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Would that be English or Metric masking tape?
OP, take the rifle to a reputable gun shop and have them check the head space. Or order a set of go / no-go gauges and enjoy the satisfaction of being able to do it yourself. It is easy to do and the gauges are a good investment. I have a set that I would loan you, but am up near Kokomo.
With the way the way the AR is designed, with the bolt locking into the extension. There is little to no benefit in headspacing an AR. They check that the extension is put on right at the factory.
If for some reason you take the extension off the AR barrel (possibly but unlikely) then you would need to recheck it.
The head-spacing need comes from the older types of rifles where the bolt locks into the receiver, and the barrel simply screws onto the receiver threads. BE GLAD you don't have to time AND headspace a barrel.
You can thank Eugene Stoner for the advanced design on the AR.
If for some reason you take the extension off the AR barrel (possibly but unlikely) then you would need to recheck it.
The head-spacing need comes from the older types of rifles where the bolt locks into the receiver, and the barrel simply screws onto the receiver threads. BE GLAD you don't have to time AND headspace a barrel.
You can thank Eugene Stoner for the advanced design on the AR.
