OK, you guys may think this a stupid request but...does anybody have GO and NO-GO gauges for a 7.62x54R that I could BORROW?

I have two Mosin M-28's that I want to shoot real bad but want to headspace first.

I'll send them back insured to you - I just don't want to buy them for this one time use.

Thanks y'all.

Brad

Are you sure those aren't M-38's?

If you can close the bolt on a cartridge, then you don't need a Go guage! This is not a safety issue.

If you can find some 3/32" lead sheet, cut out a disk the diameter of the bolt face. Place this in the bolt, close and lock it. Measure the compressed rim area of the lead, if it isn't more than .015-.020 thicker than the rim of a cartridge it is close enough for safet sake. Likely it will be at least .010 thicker.

Let me explain. In standard practice there is at least .006 between a minimum cartridge and minimum chamber. Add .010 to a Field guage and you have permissable headspace of .016, and that is by American military standards, which are much stricter than Soviet standards.

Most gunsmiths have go/nogo gauges and will check headspace usually for 20 bucks or less. You must disassemble the bolt and remove the extractor for the Mosin rifles but it's no big deal, while in there clean it all out and check for any internal problems. I have a nogo gauge but doubtful I can get to it anytime soon. Purchased it on-line for around $25 total w/shipping, look around because most places will rape you for $60+ and shipping.

Are you sure those aren't M-38's?


Oh yes...I am sure they are two nice M-28's.

#1 Receiver stamped 1895, Tikka Barrel
#2 Receiver date stamp cannot locate, SIG Barrel

Very sweet...I bought them more than 12 years ago and am now just getting around to shooting them. :o

If you can close the bolt on a cartridge, then you don't need a Go guage! This is not a safety issue.


I'm OK so far.


If you can find some 3/32" lead sheet, cut out a disk the diameter of the bolt face. Place this in the bolt, close and lock it. Measure the compressed rim area of the lead, if it isn't more than .015-.020 thicker than the rim of a cartridge it is close enough for safet sake. Likely it will be at least .010 thicker.


This is a good idea. I may have to make my own sheeting out of old swaged lead bullets. This will only work for rimmed cartridges, right?


Let me explain. In standard practice there is at least .006 between a minimum cartridge and minimum chamber. Add .010 to a Field guage and you have permissable headspace of .016, and that is by American military standards, which are much stricter than Soviet standards.

Another method I have read about is to take a spent cartridge, remove the primer, replace the spent primer so that it is just barely seated, chamber the spent cartridge/primer assembly, close the bolt, open bolt, remove cartridge and measure the distance from the top of the primer to the cartridge face.

I don't have any spend cartridges but I might go that route if I did.[FONT=arial black]

OW,

Yes, only works with rimmed cases.

The primer method will also work, as will using something like self-adhesive address labels on the head. This is a little iffy as the paper is compressible. 3 layers should be OK.