A fifty cent head-space gauge
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:11 pm
What do you do during a Quarantine?
Go to the basement and improvise a head-space gauge for your Krag(s).
I have a handy steel (Field) head-space gauge that measures .073", but, decided it would be nice to have a second one, that approximates .070", (also, a common figure for a .30-40 Field Gauge).
A .303 British case was utilized to eliminate the rim bevel, for measuring ease.
The case was shortened with a 'Tubing Cutter' and de-capped in a .30-40 Sizing Die.
A thin brass washer was 'super-glued' to the cartridge-case base. Once the glue set, the washer was slowly hand filed to desired thickness.
I checked my progress by inserting case in Bullet-Seating Die and measured with Depth Gauge on my Vernier Caliper.
Good enough for 'government work' and it's a spare I will keep with my gun show crap. Hmmm ... I might File a notch in the rim to clear the Krag extractor .... naw, why bother?
(BTW - My most worn Krag Bolt does not close on the .073" gauge, but, it will 'just' close on this improvised one).
Go to the basement and improvise a head-space gauge for your Krag(s).
I have a handy steel (Field) head-space gauge that measures .073", but, decided it would be nice to have a second one, that approximates .070", (also, a common figure for a .30-40 Field Gauge).
A .303 British case was utilized to eliminate the rim bevel, for measuring ease.
The case was shortened with a 'Tubing Cutter' and de-capped in a .30-40 Sizing Die.
A thin brass washer was 'super-glued' to the cartridge-case base. Once the glue set, the washer was slowly hand filed to desired thickness.
I checked my progress by inserting case in Bullet-Seating Die and measured with Depth Gauge on my Vernier Caliper.
Good enough for 'government work' and it's a spare I will keep with my gun show crap. Hmmm ... I might File a notch in the rim to clear the Krag extractor .... naw, why bother?
(BTW - My most worn Krag Bolt does not close on the .073" gauge, but, it will 'just' close on this improvised one).