Headspace measurement.

[Newbie1962]

What's the best way to determine actual headspace for a particular rifle? I am starting to reload for my 30-.06 and need to get a handle on the actual headspace for this rifle. Thanks

[bikerburgess]

Head Space (bolt face to shoulder int the case of a bottle neck cartridge) is more of a gun smithing issue than a re-loading issue normally checked with a set of go, no go gauges. Are you wanting to measure how long to seat a bullet for a certain clearance from the rifling? if so they make a gauge for that but you can also do it by trial and error (seat a bullet longer and longer till when chambered you can just see marks on the bullet from the rifling)

Mike

[kamikaze1a]

A set of go, no-go gages would tell you if your headspace is within specs but not tell you the actual dimensions. If you buy the gages, buy the no-go and field, don't buy the go.

[Mike Morcillo]

It's easy if it's a bolt action rifle. I size the brass using the rifle chamber as a guide. I seat the dies lower until the bolt has some resistance when closing. Now, for the semi-auto, it's a case gauge. Check the fired brass for signs of stress, like presure ring at the case head, primers than have mover back in the pocket. If unsure, get a gunsmith to check the headspace.