Hard Chrome Plating 303 Boltheads to Reduce Headspace

[shooter503]

I recently sent a 303 bolt-head to one of our local chrome plating services as a test. The instruction was to add 10 thou. of chrome to the face of the head to simulate lengthening the bolt-head to reduce headspace.

It appears that 3 thou. of chrome will plate to the head with relatively few problems. As the thickness of the plating increases there is a tendency for the thickness of the plating to become less uniform, particulary at the sharp edges around the firing pin hole and the edge of the bolt-head itself. (Of course, areas of the bolt-head must be protected to prevent chrome deposits where they are not needed).

In view of the work required to grind and polish the chromed head to the desired dimensions if around 10 thou. of chrome is required this is not an economical process. I do not recommend this process for increasing the length of a bolt-head unless other processes are not workable. It would be a good process to repair a bolthead ruined by corrosion.

I personally would use a chrome plating technique in the future should I need to lengthen a bolt-head but I do not think this a satisfactory general purpose solution to the headspace problem.

 

[chris allen]

headspace

One alternative that has not been discussed much is to set the barrel back one thread and rechamber.

I know this is certainly not as easy as screwing a new head in but if you have a favorite rifle it will keep it going.

Cost and difficulty are the two major deterents.

 

[shooter503]

Chris,
I am told this was the method used during deep refurbishment in Australia. It seems the UK rifles were re-barrelled. The advantage of the set-back method is that the chamber can be recut to a SAAMI spec. rather than the oversize military specs.

 

[chris allen]

303

When I was running a gunsmithing business I had a customer who liked his SMLE but the barrel was done.

What I did was took a 308 dia barrel ,took the pilot off my 303 Brit reamer,put a compatible 30 cal pilot and cut the chamber.He now has a 308/303.

He loads his ammo using a standard 303 Brit. die set-- says he has no problems.Bullet selection is far superior.

 

[shooter503]

True Chris. I call this a 7.62 British to avoid confusion (???). I got a custom reamer from JGS and a 308 barrel from Pacnor. I reload using Lee neck-size only dies, a 303 set with the 308 collet. Works great with Sierra 168 grain match bullets.

 

[BillMcCall]

Headspace 303

My 303 has a number on the head, #2, the number designates a headspace dimension. They are replaceable. Mine is No4 Mk2 I recall it's Numrich that has replacements. This came from the site below.....Good Luck

http://enfieldrifles.profusehost.net/ti3.htm

 

[Sunray]

"...Numrich that has replacements..." They have 0's and 1's. No 2's or 3's. Haven't had for eons. $11.30 each.

 

[fatelk]

They have 0's and 1's. No 2's or 3's. Haven't had for eons

Believe it or not, I just bought a no. 2 from them last month. My old Enfield has sat in the safe for years with bad headspace. I jumped on that $11 bolt as soon as I saw they actually had a few; the old rifle works great now.