How do you know how deep to ream the chamber when making a pre-fit for a Savage? The reason I ask is I ordered a pre-fit barrel and it failed to head space. The nose of the bolt was hitting the end of the barrel before the gauge would contact the datum point in the chamber. When I finally figured out why my bolt was closing on the no go gauge after supposedly bottoming out on the go gauge. Got my depth mic out and started measuring the go gauge protrusion from the chamber is right around 0.100 and the bolt recess depth is 0.122. I'm not a math wiz but to me that means that my chamber is reamed too deep by 0.022. Correct? I also feel like there should be some sort of clearance between the bolt face and the end of the barrel when it is in battery. So that means that the chamber is reamed the length of that clearance plus the 0.022 too deep? I contacted the manufacturer with these concerns they had me send the barrel in and they said that the chamber was indeed two deep but only by 0.005 they said. Fast forward to today replacement barrel arrives today same story the bolt nose is contacting the end of the barrel before the go gauge hits the datum line. I have the correct go and no go gauges from PTG for 338 edge which this barrel is chambered in. I did measure the chamber protrusion of both gauges and the no go is 0.005 longer like it is supposed to be. Also all head spacing attempts were made with the bolt properly stripped ejector and ejector removed.
Gunsmithing Savage pre-fit chamber depth
- Thread starter mecher50
- Start date
You're reasoning and math are correct. The gauge protrusion on a Savage should be the bolt face depth + some clearance. I've seen up to 0.030" clearance on factory Savages, most smiths will leave the clearance between 0.005" and 0.010".
It sounds like you and the barrel manufacturer are working to 2 different gauges. I'd try to find a way to check your headspace gauges. PTG isn't infallible.
It sounds like you and the barrel manufacturer are working to 2 different gauges. I'd try to find a way to check your headspace gauges. PTG isn't infallible.
Wow, what are the chances. I just (and I mean two days ago) had the same problem. Bought a used Lothar Walther barrel in .223. Had the hardest time trying to headspace it.
Finally figured out the same problem, situation. Finally got it headspaced as close as I could. The bolt head rubs very slightly against the barrel face. But the bolt will close with very little resistance. I've ordered some extra bolt heads from Gunshack. com. My plan (?) is to draw file a x amount (yet to be determined) of metal off the bolt head face for clearance. Hopefully it shouldn't be too much maybe .005 and not make the bolt head inoperable.
Finally figured out the same problem, situation. Finally got it headspaced as close as I could. The bolt head rubs very slightly against the barrel face. But the bolt will close with very little resistance. I've ordered some extra bolt heads from Gunshack. com. My plan (?) is to draw file a x amount (yet to be determined) of metal off the bolt head face for clearance. Hopefully it shouldn't be too much maybe .005 and not make the bolt head inoperable.
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I got in the habit checking the bolt face recess just in case someone made an cut truing or what ever. On new actions I shoot for .128 with standard bolt face cartridges .
Edit to make my point clearer
Edit to make my point clearer
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You need to have .120 or more headspace gauge protrusion from the breech face
if you need to modify your bolt head then you got an incorrectly reamed barrel or an out of spec bolt head
at .120 protrusion, the case web is well inside the chamber and beyond a reasonable chamber chamfer, only the rim recess and rim will be protruding past the breech face
closer isn't always better
if you need to modify your bolt head then you got an incorrectly reamed barrel or an out of spec bolt head
at .120 protrusion, the case web is well inside the chamber and beyond a reasonable chamber chamfer, only the rim recess and rim will be protruding past the breech face
closer isn't always better
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