Proper Headspacing - resistance

[Woolsocks]

Just finished my first barrel install. I’m probably over-thinking this, but is it a problem if there’s a tiny bit of resistance when closing on the go-guage? It’s closing fully, there’s just a bit more resistance opening and closing than I feel on an empty chamber. It’s not like I have to crank down on it, just something you’d notice if you’re thinking about it.

Or did I just install it with tight clearance like a good gunsmith

 

[Rocketvapor]

With a steel Go-Gage you can probably FEEL a half thousandths change in head space.
Sounds like you are good to go, shooting Go-Gages
How about factory ammo or new brass?

 

[spife7980]

Put a piece of scotch tape on the back of the go gauge, it doesn’t close at all. Sounds about perfect.

 

[PCR]

+.0015” over “go” is a good place on a tightened barrel. From what you’ve saying, you’re closer to .000”.

Too tight you can run into trouble with some of your brass

 

[Woolsocks]

Well, it doesn’t close on factory brass, so I guess it’s too tight. Try try again.

 

[BuildingConceptsllc]

Could just be the ejector you are feeling. Sounds like my kind of chamber honestly but who makes the gauges? As @spife7980 said, you can put a layer of scotch tape on the back and see if that keeps it from closing. If so it's good

 

[BuildingConceptsllc]

Well, it doesn’t close on factory brass, so I guess it’s too tight. Try try again.

It doesn't close on factory brass? What brass is it? Virgin lapua? That does sound concerning.

 

[Woolsocks]

JGS gauges, nosler brass (new, not fired)

 

[BuildingConceptsllc]

JGS gauges, nosler brass (new, not fired)

So I assume it doesn't close with a piece of tape on the back of the gauge then too. Sounds tight then.... call the smith and I'm sure he will take care of it. Those gauges should be good and if it's also not closing on new nosler then it's likely a little tight.

I did have some gauges that were a little off but they were ptg and I won't even get into that

 

[Woolsocks]

Checked shoulders with my comparitor. The go gauge was 1.5thou shorter than my brass, and the no-go was 3.5thou longer than the brass. I’ve never been a fan of Nosler brass - may be the issue here.. I’ll try again using the same price of brass as a go guage. Going to try getting it halfway between the brass length and the no-go, so it’s right on that 1.5 thou over “go” like PCR said and stil 2thou under “no go” but not sure if I’m that good If it closes on the brass and doesn’t close on the no-go, guess it’ll do.

 

[Woolsocks]

Worked better the second time. Closes on the go, closes on the factory brass with just a tiny bit more resistance (not as much as I was feeling before), doesn’t close on brass with a piece of tape on the back, or on the no-go. I think that’s about as presice as it gets