Head space gauge 303 British

[Welsh72]

I have a SMLE Mk3 that I fired this past weekend. First round fired and extracted fine....I should have looked at it afterwards. Fired second shot and the case head separated. These are not reloads so I was thinking there is a head space issue. Bullets are Sellier & Bellot FMJ 180 grain 11,7 g No 2909.

Went back and looked at the first casing and you can barely make out that it was close to failing as well.

Anyone have a GO and NOGO gauge for a 303 British?

 

[Snake-Eyes]

@Daezee might have some ideas

 

[Daezee]

@Daezee might have some ideas

Sorry, don't have the 303 Brit max headspace .074" gauge. Several places on-line to buy same. Easy to find the .064" minimum gauges, but that isn't what you need. Send PM to Cheesy411. He at least used to have the proper headspace gauges when he was checking 303 headspace and might still have them.

 

[Welsh72]

So the question is if the headspace is off. How do u fix? Change the bolt head out ? I hear the no4 mk1 have different sizes is that the same with the smle mk3?

 

[Daezee]

So the question is if the headspace is off. How do u fix? Change the bolt head out ? I hear the no4 mk1 have different sizes is that the same with the smle mk3?

Assuming the bolt number matches the receiver number And you have a bucket of bolt heads, keep trying bolt heads until it clocks correctly and gives correct headspace.

 

[oneshot]

If you want to call me will tell you a sample way to check it Just 50 cents jj 850-572-6611