Headspace 101 for .303's

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (bigedp51) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 01:33:03 GMT

Parashooter

FYI

The cognitive disorder that Temperflash has is officially called OPD or Obnoxious Personality Disorder.

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (temperflash) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:51:05 GMT

Parashooter wrote:
Personally, I wish the moderator would lock down this thread before it becomes yet another repository for the endless conflict between personalities. While I concur with Ed's posting and appreciate that Temperflash has a cognitive disorder that causes him to post an unfortunate mixture of fact and nonsense, this topic is intended as an entry-level class on Lee-Enfield headspace and doesn't really...

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (Parashooter) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:19:04 GMT

Personally, I wish the moderator would lock down this thread before it becomes yet another repository for the endless conflict between personalities. While I concur with Ed's posting and appreciate that Temperflash has a cognitive disorder that causes him to post an unfortunate mixture of fact and nonsense, this topic is intended as an entry-level class on Lee-Enfield headspace and doesn't really benefit from the distractions.

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (bigedp51) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:55:55 GMT

Temperflash

If you are going to keep making incorrect statements I will be here to correct your...

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (temperflash) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:55:51 GMT

Theres an S marked No.1 Bolt head that was used in some rebuild programs, its the longest of the No.1 boltheads, and only used if the rifle had grossly out of spec headspace. This is an S mark that has nothing to do with the S marking on Savage No.1 parts.

I've not seen one of these on a rifle yet, only saw them mentioned in a manual. Probably very rare.

Also I've seen someone mention getting an oversized bolt head for a No.4 and stoning it to make it fit. This may...

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (Highpower) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 10:23:27 GMT

....

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (nictaylor00) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 11:41:32 GMT

Where is the number on the bolt head that identifys which one it is? I have 2 MK3 Enfields and can not find it. Any photos?

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (dociceit) — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:39:35 GMT

Parashooter, great post! I've been having the same problem as mentioned above with rounds seperating on the second or third firing. Caculated my head space at .072. Also, my 2 groove savage will NOT shoot boat tailed ammo. and my accuracy right now resembles a pattern. I've got a lot of tinkering to do with this rifle. I love this rifle. It has some very good "character" to it. Nice wood with some dings on it and the numbers and letters stamped in it coinside with my...

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (Parashooter) — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:18:49 GMT

madmike wrote:

I also notice the monofiliment cord you use it looks very much like (weedeater cord) or brushcutter cord is this what it is ,and do you heat treat them to get them to form a circle ,and what thickness is the cord ?

It's fishing line. Comes in a wide variety of sizes. You choose one that works for your rifle, not mine. It's curled simply by drawing it over the edge of a dull knife or...

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (madmike) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:33:58 GMT

Hi there Parashooter

I am a newbie to this site and thanks for your 101 on headspacing I found it tremendously helpful as my rifle is breaking brass like nothing some rounds do not even reload the 3rd time they break at the second firing . I have purchased a lee neck sizing die for my reloading kit and intend using it instead of the full length resizer .

I also notice the monofiliment cord you use it looks very much like (weedeater cord) or brushcutter cord is this what it...

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (JONES) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:19:15 GMT

you can also glue on a shim to back of case,what ever you think it needs and close bolt,gently,that should give you a good idea of the clearence I had one go while hunting and left the case in barrel.had to change rifles.I got a new[to me] bolt head and its now nice and tight.

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (Metaleer) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 08:09:11 GMT

Thank you for taking the time and effort to post the information on headspacing. Great job!

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (chips710) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:52:04 GMT

yockey5 wrote:
Great info Parashooter!

hi guys ihave a chances tobuy a british enfield 22 rifle it was converted from 303, he wants 350.00 plus shiping, what you guys think yes or no to much? i dont know any thing about enfield rifles, bill chips710@aol.comhi no reply so i passed, delet

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (yockey5) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 20:22:06 GMT

Great info Parashooter!

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (crivil) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:54:28 GMT

Thanks for your post Parashooter. It is very helping for newbie like me and it help to understand what is the Headspace exactly.

I am completely new to Enfield rifles. Two weeks ago i knew nothing about them. Since I got mine, two weeks ago, I am reading all I can find on the subject.

My Lee-Enfield is an old one (1918) so I am a bit concerned about the Headspace question. I...

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (temperflash) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:20:54 GMT

The only modern .303 loading I've found that did not work out well in my Savage two groove is a Cartridge head stamped Krauter, or something like that. Those loads were very accurate in four and five groove bores but not in my two groove bore.

Seller and Bellot shot fine in my rifle but the primer pockets are very undersized and if not reamed all the way to the bottom to remove the radius a new primer will often detonate while you are seating it.
The Necks of the S&B...

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (TERRY B) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:30:59 GMT

A friend of mine has been shooting non-military ammo in his Enfield Savage for years for deer hunting and such. I'm thinking of sticking to Wolf and Seiller and Bennot ammo for regular shooting and hunting purposes. I have a Enfield US. Savage #4. I'm thinking the commercial ammo should be OK. Any reason not to? Thanks!

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (Parashooter) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 22:04:48 GMT

Actually, that's a fairly good way to check cartridge end-play ("head clearance") - but we have to put a (dummy) cartridge in the chamber first. Add the end-play found with the feeler gauge to the cartridge's rim thickness and we have the rifle's headspace dimension.

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (Skeyed) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:48:26 GMT

That is not a head space gauge and that is not where and how you check it head space.
If it is things changed mighty quick on me.
skd

Re: Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (flowmaster44) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:37:20 GMT

i just got my no4 mk1 and i had no idea what headspacing was, so last night i used a feeler gauge between the bolt and the reciever:

i assume, after reading your post, that this isn't the way you check a gun's headspacing. its just the only location i saw fit for a feeler gauge. how would i go about checking the headspace myself? do i need a special tool?

Headspace 101 for .303's

feeds@yuku.com (Parashooter) — Thu, 14 Jul 2005 17:35:01 GMT

Several generations of American shooters have been convinced by bad information that something mysterious and scary called "headspace" should be checked and re-checked on almost any surplus rifle, especially Lee-Enfields. The truth is less interesting but still worth knowing.

Stripped to its essentials, with a rimmed cartridge like the .303, headspace is simply the distance between the front of the bolt and the back of the barrel. It's the space where the...