OK you Techo Types WTF is Head Space?

I am sure that you know that I fall in to the "knows fuck all" category when it comes to firearms (and I have to say that I am real comfortable with just knowing how to load shoot and clean) but I have just been told in an email that "the end user will take full responsibility for the fitment of the parts and head spacing of the rifle". So as the thread title says, what the fuck does that mean?.

A man didn't even know his rifle had a head let alone that it needed some space. Words of one syllable would be appreciated and if you assume that I will know what other techo terms mean then that would probably be a mistake.

Here ya go boss:D

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cxSU2zBQvM8

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gibo

Here ya go boss:D

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cxSU2zBQvM8

---

OK Gibo ten out of ten for that link which explained how to check it easily but what it didn't tell me was why is it important.

I presume as you have received an email mentioning the fitment of parts requiring a headspace check, then you are involved in your rifle in more depth and detail than you usually are, you definitely need to get a qualified gunsmith to fit said parts which includes a headspace check.

Now to answer your question in a monotone singular syllable prose :)

When ammo is chambered in your rifle (ready to fire) it is sitting in there and held quite snug, (but not as tight as Dundee clinging to a stubbie) there are a few thousandths of an inch clearance to ensure the ammo can enter and exit the rifles chamber either fired or unfired.

Too little clearance and there are a few problems which appear quite quickly, too much clearance and again problems appear, some quite serious.

There are other important reasons the ammo for your rifle needs this clearance but we have a good head start here.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

I presume as you have received an email mentioning the fitment of parts requiring a headspace check, then you are involved in your rifle in more depth and detail than you usually are, you definitely need to get a qualified gunsmith to fit said parts which includes a headspace check.

Now to answer your question in a monotone singular syllable prose :)

When ammo is chambered in your rifle (ready to fire) it is sitting in there and held quite snug, (but not as tight as Dundee clinging to a stubbie) there are a few thousandths of an inch clearance to ensure the ammo can enter and exit the rifles chamber either fired or unfired.

Too little clearance and there are a few problems which appear quite quickly, too much clearance and again problems appear, some quite serious.

There are other important reasons the ammo for your rifle needs this clearance but we have a good head start here.

---

Thanks for that 7mmsaum, I appreciate your understandable answer. Yep this is all brought about because after some months now there is finally some traction around getting a new bolt head for my Savage 110BA which you may recall had the original bolt head severely damaged by some Winchester primers doing wrong stuff which pitted the original bolt head and welded the ejector pin in place.

So the upshot is that when the bits arrive I need to give the whole rifle and replacement parts to a gunsmith before I shoot it. To easy (and probably what would have happened) but still I am glad I asked.

Now go and check your head space :P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gibo

Now go and check your head space :P

---

He's in a good headspace now.

Too much head space ? :thumbsup:

Apart from the obvious, the only other thing I have with a head has no space because of its size. Ha ha ha ha bada boom hijacked my own thread.

Send it to a gunsmith Rushy, once the work is done forward it on to me and I'll check it for you. It may or may not return without a scope but thats a risk you'll have to take

Checking your headspace :D

The distance between your ears multiplied by pie rad squared

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Maca49

The distance between your ears multiplied by pie rad squared

---

That sounds like excessive headspace there Maca

You met Rushy?

often

I have been waiting for "the gap at the opening of your hat" but I guess the world has moved on and no one wears hats anymore.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Maca49

The distance between your ears multiplied by pie rad squared

---

That will only give you a lineal answer Maca. For a space (volume) you really need the measurement term cubed; as in (steak pie) x (distance between eyeballs) ³.

are you hand loading now rushy?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bully

are you hand loading now rushy?

---

No Bully, it will never happen that I hand load but someone else is hand loading for me. The cynic in me says that if I hadn't started down that path I wouldn't have had the issue with the Winchester primers.

just bad luck in primer choice I guess. theres an old guy at my local range using the same primers, doing the same thing. but he doesn't seem worried, I asked him and im sure he said hes just going to use them up.
maybe get your friend to use federal, or anything but Winchester I suppose.
if you want more detail in headspace. do an internet search about, no go gauge.. and go gauge. (basicly the go gauge should fit in your chamber the no go gauge shouldn't. its what the smith does)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gadgetman

That will only give you a lineal answer Maca. For a space (volume) you really need the measurement term cubed; as in (steak pie) x (distance between eyeballs) ³.

---

Your right GM but what about cone heads ?:omg:

Rushy if your worried just get it checked as Toby said, or start shooting a cartridge without a neck, like 45/70 lot easier Hahahaha

Does this mean you have sourced a new bolt head

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nibblet

Does this mean you have sourced a new bolt head

---

Nah, what it means is that the importer I used to bring in the rifle originally has a confirmation of an order being processed from Savage ( no more, no less). It is ridiculous the time that it takes to get a little hunk of metal.

But such an important HUNK of metal:thumbsup: Rushy sell it and buy a Blazer:wtfsmilie:

When I need some much deserved "Head Space" I go hunting. Works a treat for me!

@Rushy. Dont be too cynical about it, as a very similar thing just happened to a friend who was using factory amo in his (cough) 7-08.
I think he got away a bit lighter than you did, but H & F agreed to refund and replace the amo, no questions asked.