User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
CA, USA
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Posted: 5/29/2024 7:02:10 PM EDT
Hello from the land of fruits and nuts. First time builder here, having a blast so far reading from all who have contributed to the various forums. I’m taking my time and just having fun. My lower is built and I’m waiting for a few parts for the upper and then I’ll get started with that. I’ve been down the rabbit hole on reading about headspacing 5.56. Dang. Anyway, thought I would introduce myself and become a lurker no longer.
-Bill |
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Posted: 5/29/2024 9:14:39 PM EDT
[#1]
Welcome. There's no headspacing for you to do. Either your shit works or it doesn't. If it's out of spec, send it back. In general though, if you use decent parts you'll get decent results. PSA is always a good place to get your feet wet. Low prices and great customer service.
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CA, USA
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Posted: 5/29/2024 11:34:44 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Stowe: Welcome. There's no headspacing for you to do. Either your shit works or it doesn't. If it's out of spec, send it back. In general though, if you use decent parts you'll get decent results. PSA is always a good place to get your feet wet. Low prices and great customer service. How to interpret the specs is what I am wondering! Is there really a no-go gauge for 5.56? |
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Posted: 5/30/2024 12:10:48 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By bbuhlman: How to interpret the specs is what I am wondering! Is there really a no-go gauge for 5.56? No go for headspace is more determined by the manufacturer or the entity that accepts the product. There is plenty of info on the differences between the .223 and 5.56 Nato throat design on the internet which may not be really a headspace or headspace gauge thing. The Saami info is online also for research about the topic. |
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Posted: 5/30/2024 12:52:07 AM EDT
[#4]
You can get gauges to check or have a local shop do it for a few bucks. There are extensive threads on here about whether checking is necessary. You can search them and come to your own conclusion.
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CA, USA
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Posted: 6/1/2024 8:15:55 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Musketjon]
[#5]
.223/ 5.56 both head space on the cartridge shoulder, therefore throat length does not even enter the equation. The brass is the same for both. There are SAAMI specs for headspacing .223. Headspace to fit .223, and either will be fine.
Now before someone jumps my s#*t with the "can't shoot 5.56 in a 223 chamber", it's not that it won't fit. It has to do with leade free-bore and cartridge pressure. You load .223 and 5.56 with the same die set, right? Jon |
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Posted: 6/1/2024 10:10:59 PM EDT
[#6]
Along with others are saying, checking headspace is not necessary on a newly manufactured barrel. If you were buying a surplus barrel, headspace may be affected by a worn sloppy barrel extension.
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MI, USA
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Posted: 6/1/2024 10:56:26 PM EDT
[#7]
I’ve never checked headspace in a half dozen ARs I’ve built and never had an issue.
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Posted: 6/1/2024 11:45:12 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By bluedog82: I've never checked headspace in a half dozen ARs I've built and never had an issue. Howdy OP! |
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IA, USA
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Posted: 6/2/2024 1:54:55 AM EDT
[#9]
I've fire formed so many different Ackley Improved cartridges I don't get excited about head space these days. I have had a couple cheaper nitrided barrels where the brass didn't want to go all the way in. A quick brushing by hand of the chamber and the brass dropped right in.
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IN, USA
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Posted: 6/2/2024 5:47:35 PM EDT
[#10]
Many, if not most, don't bother checking headspace. If you are concerned, you could buy the barrel and the bolt (or BCG) from the same vendor and they will often check headspace for you. I've done that once because it was a very expensive build. I never bothered with any of my other builds and never had an issue.
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