Wanting headspace checked on my AR

[Dudelittle]

I just finished my build, thanks to Christmas, I want the headspace checked. Is there anyone in INGO that's local to Lafayette area the has the gauges and knowledge to do it/ help me.

 

[NyleRN]

What barrel is it? I've never checked headspace on any of my builds but I've used known quality barrels. Even if it fails go/no-go then there's really nothing you can do about other than buy another barrel. You'd have to replace to barrel extension and time it to tdc which most don't know how to do.

 

[1911ly]

Not a necessary thing to do on an AR build. It's nothing you can change if it was off anyway. It will be fine if all your parts are commercially made.

 

[Dudelittle]

It's a faxon barrel. AIM BCG. I know its nothing I can change but for peace of mind,I know I'm not Fabio bit I like my face how it is.

 

[Mgderf]

To date I've built a total of 7 AR's, in .223/5.56 and 7.62x39.
Never checked headspace on any of them. Never had an issue with any either.

 

[halfmileharry]

Bring it down south. I'll shoot it without worry. You used good parts.

 

[Mgderf]

I just finished my build, thanks to Christmas, I want the headspace checked. Is there anyone in INGO that's local to Lafayette area the has the gauges and knowledge to do it/ help me.

You might try calling Dan, at Applied Ballistics in Lafayette. He's the general manager and gunsmith.
Not sure if he has go/no-go gauges or not. but if you're that worried about it...

I'm in Lafayette. I don't have any gauges, but I'd be happy to be the first one to pull the trigger on your new build, after a cursory inspection of course. I even have access to a 50 yard private outdoor range for testing purposes,

 

[mammynun]

It's a faxon barrel. AIM BCG. I know its nothing I can change but for peace of mind,I know I'm not Fabio bit I like my face how it is.

If you're REEEEEALLY worried about it get some heavy (welding?) gloves, a leather jacket, ears and eyes and place a substantial tree between Fabio and the receiver. Crank off as many rounds/magazines as you need to feel safe.

 

[NyleRN]

Just choot it from the hip

 

[KJQ6945]

Nobody lives forever.

And, if it goes wrong, your INGO fame will increase immeasurably. You'll be epic! What's the worst that could happen? Give it a shot.

 

[natdscott]

If you a're "building" rifles, hadn't you better order a set of gauges yourself?

(Don't forget to take the ejector out.)

 

[halfmileharry]

Nobody lives forever.

And, if it goes wrong, your INGO fame will increase immeasurably. You'll be epic! What's the worst that could happen? Give it a shot.

Make sure he gets video from multiple angles. We'll edit to make you immortal.

 

[sloughfoot]

Everybody is overly worried about headspace. It is perfectly safe to fire 308 out of a 30.06 chambered rifle for pete's sake. The shoulder disappears, but it is safe to fire.

Why would the rifle blow up if headspace is off? The case expands to seal the chamber. Nothing magical there.

Old mil-surp Mausers with mis-matched bolts are a great example. You fire a factory round. If the headspace is excessive, the shoulder is blown forward. Nothing more. When you reload that case, you carefully re-size so as to not set-back the shoulder more than a couple of thousands. Naturally the ammo is only for that rifle, but so what?

Fire a round out of your new AR. Check the fired case In a Wilson case gage. If it is below, or even with, the mark, you are GTG. I wouldn't waste a lot of time checking with headspace gages.

 

[bulletsmith]

Everybody is overly worried about headspace. It is perfectly safe to fire 308 out of a 30.06 chambered rifle for pete's sake. The shoulder disappears, but it is safe to fire.

Why would the rifle blow up if headspace is off? The case expands to seal the chamber. Nothing magical there.

Old mil-surp Mausers with mis-matched bolts are a great example. You fire a factory round. If the headspace is excessive, the shoulder is blown forward. Nothing more. When you reload that case, you carefully re-size so as to not set-back the shoulder more than a couple of thousands. Naturally the ammo is only for that rifle, but so what?

Fire a round out of your new AR. Check the fired case In a Wilson case gage. If it is below, or even with, the mark, you are GTG. I wouldn't waste a lot of time checking with headspace gages.

So, can you tell us what happens if headspace is too small?

 

[1911ly]

So, can you tell us what happens if headspace is too small?

The bolt won't close, the gun won't fire.

 

[sloughfoot]

So, can you tell us what happens if headspace is too small?

The bolt won't close. The gun won't fire.

 

[bulletsmith]

The bolt won't close. The gun won't fire.

Well in extreme cases I agree. I'm talking about having enough headspace to close the bolt, yet less than is specified. Sloughfoot you seem to be saying that headspace is nothing to ever be concerned about, my point is that serious issues can result from too little headpsace.

Sorry my sarcasm was not clear.

 

[sloughfoot]

Well in extreme cases I agree. I'm talking about having enough headspace to close the bolt, yet less than is specified. Sloughfoot you seem to be saying that headspace is nothing to ever be concerned about, my point is that serious issues can result from too little headpsace.

Sorry my sarcasm was not clear.

What issues?

 

[indyjohn]

Well, now, sloughfoot, you'll get your cases stuck & such. Worse case, you're gonna get broken cases.

Then you're in trouble..

 

[bulletsmith]

What issues?

Im referring to a situation where too little headspace causes the neck of the casing to be forced into the throat exaggerating the crimp on the bullet. The bullet then starts to behave more like an obstruction than a projectile. COL obviously can play a part in this as well, but there is a generally accepted minimum amount of desired headspace for this reason.