Help with head space

[clearform]

Hi all,

I'm new here and have a question. I am assembling a .308 that I have been accumulating parts for a few years now. All parts are new. The barrel is an Anderson 20' .308 HBAR and the BCG is from Toolcraft. I removed the extractor and the ejector from the bolt, placed a factory round in the barrel and inserted the bolt and tried to rotate it. The bolt will not rotate. I don't have another BCG or barrel to see which is the problem. Is there any way to figure out what is the problem?
Thanks in advance!!

 

[Steel head]

Try some various ammunition then you could measure the base to datum on it if some works.
Obviously the bolt goes in freely without ammunition in chamber?

 

[clearform]

Try some various ammunition then you could measure the base to datum on it if some works.
Obviously the bolt goes in freely without ammunition in chamber?

The bolt does go I freely without ammo. I'll try some different ammo. Thanks!!

 

[WilburW]

Did you install the barrel; or was it already installed in the action?
It might be better to use a Go gauge, instead of live ammunition.

I had purchased a new rifle last year that was having chambering issues. A local gunsmith was kind enough to offer to check with his gauge. The action would not close on the gauge, so I returned the rifle to the manufacturer for replacement.

If you are installing your own barrel, it may be worth picking up the .308 Go (and No Go) gauges. Not very expensive to order online.

 

[ctrock]

Where can one get a go, no-go Guage for hobby builders?

 

[WilburW]

Amazon

 

[ctrock]

Amazon

View attachment 7484773

Awesome...thank you

 

[r.tenorio671]

..I would suggest you contact the barrel maker and ask what reamer they use, then purchase the GO, NO-GO gauges made by the same maker of the reamer. A large amount of the mass production industry uses PTG (Pacific Tool & Gauge) reamers, but again, ask your barrel manufacturer what they use then buy accordingly. Gauges can run approximately $30-40 per gauge, depending on source of purchase. Most offer "sets" of GO, NO-GO or GO, NO-GO and FIELD which lowers the individual gauge price a bit. IMHO, a set of GO, NO-GO is the minimum, FIELD would indicate it's still safe, but already on the way to not safe (erosion, depth over-reamed).

 

[clearform]

The bolt does go I freely without ammo. I'll try some different ammo. Thanks!!

I tried two different batches of reloads, still won't close.

 

[clearform]

Did you install the barrel; or was it already installed in the action?
It might be better to use a Go gauge, instead of live ammunition.

I had purchased a new rifle last year that was having chambering issues. A local gunsmith was kind enough to offer to check with his gauge. The action would not close on the gauge, so I returned the rifle to the manufacturer for replacement.

If you are installing your own barrel, it may be worth picking up the .308 Go (and No Go) gauges. Not very expensive to order online.

The barrel is not in the receiver. I'm ordering gauges.

 

[clearform]

..I would suggest you contact the barrel maker and ask what reamer they use, then purchase the GO, NO-GO gauges made by the same maker of the reamer. A large amount of the mass production industry uses PTG (Pacific Tool & Gauge) reamers, but again, ask your barrel manufacturer what they use then buy accordingly. Gauges can run approximately $30-40 per gauge, depending on source of purchase. Most offer "sets" of GO, NO-GO or GO, NO-GO and FIELD which lowers the individual gauge price a bit. IMHO, a set of GO, NO-GO is the minimum, FIELD would indicate it's still safe, but already on the way to not safe (erosion, depth over-reamed).

I emailed the manufacturer, auto replied they are so backed up it will be awhile before a response. I ordered some gauges.

 

[clearform]

Thanks for the help guys!!

 

[WilburW]

The barrel is not in the receiver. I'm ordering gauges.

So, the barrel is not installed, but you were just testing the bolt?

 

[clearform]

Yes, just the barrel and the bolt.

 

[WilburW]

Um, Ive never tried to close the bolt in that way.
It’s very possible that without the mechanical advantage of the camming action of the bolt in the action, you may not be able to close the bolt on a chambered round?

 

[Im2bent]

Headspace Gauges

www.reamerrentals.com

Too late but maybe the next guy

 

[Molon]

It’s very possible that without the mechanical advantage of the camming action of the bolt in the action, you may not be able to close the bolt on a chambered round?

No.


...

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

Have you tried bumping the shoulder until it rotates?

And your certain the head of the case is flat against the boltface?

You can leave the extractor in to make it easier to insert and remove the case.

 

[r.tenorio671]

...I've used this method as well as method w/o the ejector & extractor installed, both work....

 

[Mwalex]

I would not use reloads to check headspace. Ordering the gauges was the right move.