P 14 head space

[lrgrendel]

I own a Lee Enfield and a 303 Britsh field gauge.

I fully understand that 303 head spaces off the rim. And with a Lee Enfield you just change the bolt head, if you can find them!

Thinking of buying a P14, if it fails the field gauge check, I need to find another complete bolt?

Any experienced help would be great, thanks.

 

[rgg_7]

You will need to set barrel back just like a Mauser. If the P14 fails the military headspace spec's don't buy as it will cost you handsomely to correct the headspacing.

Ron (Canada)

 

[lrgrendel]

Ok. Great. Exactly what I was looking for!

 

[lrgrendel]

In order of desirability, I know Winchester is first. Who comes next Remington or Eddystone?
Thanks

 

[mtrmn]

I have a US model of 1917 my grandfather gave me. Eddystone. The headspace was excessive but still useable as long as I neck sized only. I took a casting of the chamber and took measurements of the casting compared to a new case. I couldn't find any problems there. I turned my attention to the bolt, which had a considerable amount of fore/aft slack when closed on an empty chamber. It still had slack when closed on a factory new round OR a NO GO headspace gauge.
I removed the bolt and studied it and the receiver. I determined the bolt locking lugs were probably worn. So I took the bolt to a welder and had him put just a touch of arc weld (E7018) on the rear surfaces of the locking lugs. Then with very careful file work I re-fitted the bolt until it would just close on a GO gauge and would not completely close on a NO GO gauge. Rather than setting the bbl back, I set the bolt forward by repairing the worn surfaces of the locking lugs.
I'm sure I'll get flamed for this but there's no denying the fact that it fixed my problem. Would it work on your P14? Who knows, but then again what have you got to lose? I even have an old P14 bolt laying around that you can have to experiment with if you want. PM me if you want it.

 

[lrgrendel]

I appreciate your detailed answer and I like your fix! But I am going to meet the guy tomorrow and if it fails the field gauge test I will not buy it.

Also thanks for the offer of the bolt.
I‘lol let you guys know how it goes.

 

[fdkay]

This could be the answer, including a link to a gunsmith

P14 ENFIELD BARREL - Criterion Barrels

Criterion P14 Enfield barrels offer a perfect fit for any restoration project. Chambered in .303 British, each barrel features a hand lapped bore.

criterionbarrels.com

 

[rgg_7]

Criterion Barrel is a great option. You're looking a barrel + install + headspace adjustment. you'll have an awesome shooter after doing the work. i'm not keen on welding thhe lugs on a bolt body.

Ron (Canada)

 

[lrgrendel]

The rifle failed the field gauge test.
I did not buy it.

I have too many other gun projects to do a rebarrel!
Thanks for the advice.

 

[Lange Carabine]

Would it work on your P14? Who knows, but then again what have you got to lose?

So, let me get this straight, you look things over(study it) and come to the conclusion the it's just has to be the bolt lugs that's worn( because it's the easiest part to "study" without actually removing the barrel) so you take it down to a shop and get some rod melter that probably doesnt know jack about
metallurgy (i.e. the heat affected zone in particular) to blob some 7018 mild steel filler material on the mating surfaces of the lugs. Never mind that 7018 is softer that the bolt or reciever and has no metal to metal abrasion resistant properties. Then you take a file and whittle away on the back of the lugs until it will close on the appropriate gauge. Did you even attempt to keep contact between the two lugs and the reciever shoulders even? Almost willing to bet it isnt. No matter because that bolt is now unfit for use as anything other that a wall hanger display piece.
So what you got to loose? How about your life if that bubba bolt shears it's now weakened lugs under peak pressure and drives the body through your skull?
This should earn you the Bubba Gun Plumber of the Year award easy. Maybe even for the decade.

 

[lrgrendel]

Ok. So the saga continues. I’m actually a bit annoyed. My Forster Field gauge measures .070” where I believe a true Field gauge should be .074”. Well as I mentioned the rifle failed the test but it could have passed if I had the proper gauge.

Now I have a disc type Field Gauge for the 7.62 x 54R that measures .074”
Can I use this and be sure it passes the test?

 

[rgg_7]

Here's the military spec's for headspace guages 303 Go 064" Field .070" and NoGo .074" SAAMI/Australian a bit different in the Field guage being at .067" Go and NoGo same.

Hope this helps,

Ron (Canada)

 

[lrgrendel]

Here's the military spec's for headspace guages 303 Go 064" Field .070" and NoGo .074" SAAMI/Australian a bit different in the Field guage being at .067" Go and NoGo same.

Hope this helps,

Ron (Canada)

Yes I fully understand but can I use the disc type gauge on this rifle?
Thanks

 

[lrgrendel]

Just read your other post. Good idea with the shims.
Thanks

 

[rgg_7]

Yes you can use the disc type guage. It would be the same as cutting a piece of shim stock and adhering to the fixed guage. Off course you need the correct caliber guage.

Ron (Canada)

 

[lrgrendel]

Yes I have the disc type that measures .074”......

 

[Calfed]

Here's the military spec's for headspace guages 303 Go 064" Field .070" and NoGo .074" SAAMI/Australian a bit different in the Field guage being at .067" Go and NoGo same.

Hope this helps,

Ron (Canada)

Odd that the the "no-go" gauge spec is longer than the Field gauge spec.

 

[lrgrendel]

So. I tried the 7.62 x 54R disc type field gauge measuring .074” in my LE NO4 MK1 and it works perfectly.