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Gunsmithing Recoil lug question

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Captain Nimcompoop
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 13, 2011
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Lost in Idaho...
I need to replace a recoil lug on my Bergara. The factory recoil lug is .220” thick. The only lugs I can find that are close are .228” thick. Will 8 thousandths fuck with my headspace enough for me to worry about it?

I will be checking everything with go-no-go gauges. should I just go with “If it fits it ships?”
 
I need to replace a recoil lug on my Bergara. The factory recoil lug is .220” thick. The only lugs I can find that are close are .228” thick. Will 8 thousandths fuck with my headspace enough for me to worry about it?

I will be checking everything with go-no-go gauges. should I just go with “If it fits it ships?”
8 thou will most certainly fuck with headspace....

but if it doesnt close on a No-Go it should be good.
 
Will 8 thousandths fuck with my headspace enough for me to worry about it?

Yes, probably. You might be able to find a shop to take it down to match thickness, or something along those lines.

I will be checking everything with go-no-go gauges. should I just go with “If it fits it ships?”

If a field gauge (nogo plus a squidge) doesn’t chamber, it should be safe to fire. However, go-field difference is usually like 0.010” - corresponding to the SAAMI limit on most cartridge head spaces - so unless the bergara chamber was basically right on the go gauge you’re probably not safe to fire.
 
Go to any machinist and have them put the replacement lug on a surface grinder and take it down 0.008" very easy for any machine shop to do no need for a gunsmith.
 
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Depending on the round, the difference between a Go and No Go is only about .007"s... so unless you had a short, tight chamber to begin with you defiantly need to invest in gages and/or take it to a smith.