eddie got tested for headspace today passed the test A+ 3 shots fired

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yeap the brass seems just like my mauser couger after fired so the headspace is fine i beded the stock reblue the barrel receiver and stock is finshed so still waiting on the witt machine muzzle break and of course new extractor


One thing to watch out for on m1917 or P14 rifles is that you must use a bare bolt when checking headspace--removing all internals and the extractor and using only light finger pressure to push the bolt to close. This design has enough camming power to compress the headspace gauge (probably damaging it in the process) enough to close it.

Julian Hatcher had some interesting things to say about m1917's and headspace in Hatcher's Notebook that are well worth reading if you want to know a bit more about your rifle.
 
One thing to watch out for on m1917 or P14 rifles is that you must use a bare bolt when checking headspace--removing all internals and the extractor and using only light finger pressure to push the bolt to close. This design has enough camming power to compress the headspace gauge (probably damaging it in the process) enough to close it.

Julian Hatcher had some interesting things to say about m1917's and headspace in Hatcher's Notebook that are well worth reading if you want to know a bit more about your rifle.
so your saying the shell would look like this with excesive space
DSC08883.jpg
i found used brass i bought like this and woundnt resize in the die i threw them away the 3 shot brass shells i pulled out look fine nothing like this
 
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so your saying the shell would look like this with excesive space
View attachment 855793
i found used brass i bought like this and woundnt resize in the die i threw them away the 3 shot brass shells i pulled out look fine nothing like this

no, that's fairly normal to see expansion like that in front of the cash head.
The only way to KNOW your rifles headspace is in spec, is to gauge it. eyeballing cases won't tell you much unless it's WAY out.
 
wouldnt the shells kinda stick in the chamber?
View attachment 855794
View attachment 855795
with only slightly out of spec headspace case separation sans any warning sign is possible, but like that case pictured, it will likely show signs before letting go. BUT it will thin the case in front of the head which reduces case life and CAN let go completely.
As a hand loader you CAN adjust for slightly out of spec headspace, but you won't know for sure if it's out till it's properly checked.
 
with only slightly out of spec headspace case separation sans any warning sign is possible, but like that case pictured, it will likely show signs before letting go. BUT it will thin the case in front of the head which reduces case life and CAN let go completely.
As a hand loader you CAN adjust for slightly out of spec headspace, but you won't know for sure if it's out till it's properly checked.
you can go old school and use masking tape ;) time 3:38
 
you can go old school and use masking tape ;) time 3:38

I've done that, it's not an ideal solution, but it can be useful when there's no other choice. It can keep you from blowing yourelf up, if done right.
It takes experience and a soft touch also
 
I've done that, it's not an ideal solution, but it can be useful when there's no other choice. It can keep you from blowing yourelf up, if done right.
It takes experience and a soft touch also
i did it took about 4 to five thin masking tape ones on the brass bottom to tighten up the bolt. i took the spent brass fired from eddie put chambered it in the voere mauser and it chamberer it , as if it came out of that rifle. my swiss k11 sporter wont chamber a spent case in a new 308 rifle my friend has
 
I have a WWII era Johnson Automatic barrel on one of my m1917's but I put it on there as a NOS barrel. The receiver was already parkerized in the grey greenish WWII style so I simple added a barrel in that vein versus the old 11/18 dated barrel. No stress cracks.
 
you can go old school and use masking tape ;) time 3:38


If I recall right, the ratio of compression is about 100:1 on the m1917's bolt closing so masking tape is not optimal. If it will compress the metal in a headspace gauge, it will do so with masking tape. Use a gauge if you want to know. If it passes a field gage (does not close on one), it is generally ok to shoot but you may have short brass life unless you neck size.

If you do want to determine chamber size which tends to run large in the m1917's, then do a chamber cast with Wood's metal aka cerrosafe is an example or the old timey melted sulfur (PITA to do though).
 
If I recall right, the ratio of compression is about 100:1 on the m1917's bolt closing so masking tape is not optimal. If it will compress the metal in a headspace gauge, it will do so with masking tape. Use a gauge if you want to know. If it passes a field gage (does not close on one), it is generally ok to shoot but you may have short brass life unless you neck size.

If you do want to determine chamber size which tends to run large in the m1917's, then do a chamber cast with Wood's metal aka cerrosafe is an example or the old timey melted sulfur (PITA to do though).
eddies throat free bore is extra long as my swiss k11 sporter 308, i loaded up some 178 grain amax and 180 gr speer max length for the bullet in the brass and it wasnt touching the rifling..
 
eddies throat free bore is extra long as my swiss k11 sporter 308, i loaded up some 178 grain amax and 180 gr speer max length for the bullet in the brass and it wasnt touching the rifling..
Could indicate two things, a worn throat but m1917's military issued barrels also have different features to use lousy wartime ammo in bad conditions such as long throats to reduce pressures and chambers that are generous.
 
Could indicate two things, a worn throat but m1917's military issued barrels also have different features to use lousy wartime ammo in bad conditions such as long throats to reduce pressures and chambers that are generous.
well see in the future shooting of it the red dot that i put on wasnt sited in just basic bore sited the white cup was say 35 /40 yards i mised it to the left by 4 inches and then low and high mosty me moving around with the shooting stick :uhoh:, the reloaded ammo was made for sami spec for the voere couger 168 gr amax if the group opens up and start to widen at 300 yards, say ill switch and just stay with 175, 178, 180 grainers and max the out in the neck
 
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Did you ever find the s/n on that rifle?
i think eddies hiding it under the front mount, the screws for the mount were sure tight being on for 40 years or so i starting to strip the heads even heating them up with a propane torch so i would have to drill them out screwing up the mount threads in the process, to much work too see them:confused: i gave up:oops: the base was flat and level perfect to mount a rail job on it so i just did it:evil:
 
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