Head space

kenfa03 · January 31, 2009, 08:17 PM

Bought a used Savage Md110 with a 7mm08 barrel that had been installed in place of original. I have to put quite a bit of pressure on the bolt in order to close it on factory ammo. Also the same amount of pressure required on new brass. Is it safe to fire this rifle or should I have head space adjusted first?

LHB1 · January 31, 2009, 08:29 PM

Who installed the barrel? I would definitely have the gun chamber and headspace checked before firing it if factory ammo won't chamber easily.

**Unclenick** · January 31, 2009, 08:56 PM

The Savage barrel is removable and adjustable for headspace. Someone has tried that and set it much too short because they didn't have a headspace gauge to set it correctly with. In its current condition it is unsafe to fire because the reduced space raises the chamber pressure. I may not blow up on firing, but you can potentially do damage to the gun or weaken the bolt lugs. Take it to a gunsmith or send it to the factory to be corrected and inspected for damage. You don't know how much the previous owner may have fired it that way?

kenfa03 · January 31, 2009, 09:13 PM

Thanks. It is supposedly a lightly used barrel but not sure about the action. I will get the head space corrected and go from there. He said he would refund my money if I wanted but I would really like to keep it.

January 31, 2009, 08:17 PM	#1
kenfa03 Member Join Date: January 19, 2009 Posts: 71	Head space Bought a used Savage Md110 with a 7mm08 barrel that had been installed in place of original. I have to put quite a bit of pressure on the bolt in order to close it on factory ammo. Also the same amount of pressure required on new brass. Is it safe to fire this rifle or should I have head space adjusted first?

January 31, 2009, 08:29 PM	#2
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	Who installed the barrel? I would definitely have the gun chamber and headspace checked before firing it if factory ammo won't chamber easily. __________________ Good shooting and be safe. LB

January 31, 2009, 08:56 PM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	The Savage barrel is removable and adjustable for headspace. Someone has tried that and set it much too short because they didn't have a headspace gauge to set it correctly with. In its current condition it is unsafe to fire because the reduced space raises the chamber pressure. I may not blow up on firing, but you can potentially do damage to the gun or weaken the bolt lugs. Take it to a gunsmith or send it to the factory to be corrected and inspected for damage. You don't know how much the previous owner may have fired it that way? __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle Last edited by Unclenick; January 31, 2009 at 09:05 PM.

January 31, 2009, 09:13 PM	#4
kenfa03 Member Join Date: January 19, 2009 Posts: 71	Thanks. It is supposedly a lightly used barrel but not sure about the action. I will get the head space corrected and go from there. He said he would refund my money if I wanted but I would really like to keep it.