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Posted: 4/12/2010 5:00:34 AM EDT
| Hello, I have reloaded and shot approx 100 rounds through this rifle. I never gave much thought to headspace until the other day a guy was telling me some horror stories about improper headpsace causing kb in 50 BMG's. I have just used the specs that came with my lee dies for the ammo. I am shooting 210 gr. of mil surp powder with pulled api projectiles that I resized. So my question is, headspace is it anything for me to worry about with my setup? And if so how do I find out the amount I need with the BA-50? I have done some research but am coming up empty handed so I am hoping the collective brain trust here could give me some insight. Thanks |
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I do understand your concern, however, a headspace issue wont cause a a kaboom in an otherwise safe and sound rifle. What is most likely is; headspace too long wont allow the bolt to close completely, too short will cause streching in the area of the case just ahead of the webbing and at some point the case will split. In a good rifle the surprise will be extracting only part of the case and in a poor rifle the surprise will be the venting of the gasses in your face.
I can only speak about my rifles in that a ruptured case generally isnt discovered until you open the bolt. I wanted to add that headspace gages are the method to check the headspace of your rifle. A go gage should chamer and a no-go shouldnt. But, there is only .006" difference between the two gages. Another method is to full length size a case and measure the headspace, then start adding length to the headspace to the next case (dont size as much) and measure how much longer it needs to be before the bolt is dragging gthe case on closing. Dave Ferret50 |
| Thanks I thought about picking up a guage I think LE Wilson makes one is this what you are talking about? According to the gentleman I was talking to could not believe I would reload and not know the headspace of my rifle. I am not shooting for competition I just put the cross hairs on a beer keg at 300 yards just to watch it go boom. I full length size everytime and will try what you said I always inspect the brass after I fire it I just still paranoid but I have not had any with over pressure signs. Hopefully I will never get a superise but im glad you gave me a heads up on what to expect. Thanks for your help |
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Dave,
I am just a lowly electrician, but is there a chance that you got your long and short head space backwards? If you head space is long, you will stretch your case and will have early failure with the head separating from the case. And a short head space you might not be able to close the bolt on a properly sized case? Again I might be all wet, and if so, please explain for me if you would be so kind. I hate getting mixed up in the head like I do at times. Thanks. |
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Quoted:
To add to what he said...Headspace on the rifle is set at the factory...Its not adjustable. Headspace when you are resizing brass is set by the die contacting the shellplate....Also not adjustable. Lets not get to hasty with some of your statements. Some rifles do lend to having the head space adjusted at home. If I remember reading the directions I received from Dave (Ferret 50). The head space can be adjusted on his rifles. Although Dave does such a good job, why mess with it. Unless you are replacing the barrel. As for the resizing die. Son you must be new to reloading. A poor mans way of getting things tighter in the chamber if you are trying to reload accurate ammo is to back off your resizing die from the shell holder. I look for shells that are just a tad tight when I close the bolt. Nothing that requires a thump with my hand or hammer, just a firm press down on the bolt handle. If the dang shell is rattling around in the chamber then how do you think that bullet is going to enter the lands of the bore? |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
To add to what he said...Headspace on the rifle is set at the factory...Its not adjustable. Headspace when you are resizing brass is set by the die contacting the shellplate....Also not adjustable. Lets not get to hasty with some of your statements. Some rifles do lend to having the head space adjusted at home. If I remember reading the directions I received from Dave (Ferret 50). The head space can be adjusted on his rifles. Although Dave does such a good job, why mess with it. Unless you are replacing the barrel. Dave used to sell a barrel change kit with barrel wrenches and a HS gauge. |
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