The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Remington 1903 Headspace adjustment/bolt fit

jmstr · September 14, 2018, 08:33 PM

Hi,

My Question: Is Headspace ALWAYS set with changing the barrel/chamber? Or, is there anything that can be safely done to the bolt to add about .002 of headspace to a rifle?

Situation:

I have a Remington-made 1903 from May of 1942 [NOT a 1903A3].

The bolt [call it A] has a good fit. It doesn't close on No-Go gauge,
closes well on Go Gauge.
No need for Field gauge.

Long story short, I also have another bolt that I was testing to see if it fit [call it B].

It has more resistance than optimal with 'go' gauge,
and NoGo won't close more than half-way.

My 'smith said that to make [bolt B] fit, the barrel would have to have the chamber reamed about .002-003.

Yet, if I did that, then Bolt A would be over the NoGo size, and nearing/passing the Field Gauge safety specs.

This leads me to the original question above.

I was thinking [always dangerous]...

Is it possible to remove about .001-.002 from the back side of the bolt locking lugs, so that it sits that much toward the rear, and allows that increase in headspace?

or, is this a huge no-no.

Any help is appreciated. I would love to have another Remington marked bolt that fits as a backup.

thank you

September 14, 2018, 08:33 PM	#1
jmstr Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2001 Location: San Joaquin Valley, CA Posts: 1,304	Remington 1903 Headspace adjustment/bolt fit Hi, My Question: Is Headspace ALWAYS set with changing the barrel/chamber? Or, is there anything that can be safely done to the bolt to add about .002 of headspace to a rifle? Situation: I have a Remington-made 1903 from May of 1942 [NOT a 1903A3]. The bolt [call it A] has a good fit. It doesn't close on No-Go gauge, closes well on Go Gauge. No need for Field gauge. Long story short, I also have another bolt that I was testing to see if it fit [call it B]. It has more resistance than optimal with 'go' gauge, and NoGo won't close more than half-way. My 'smith said that to make [bolt B] fit, the barrel would have to have the chamber reamed about .002-003. Yet, if I did that, then Bolt A would be over the NoGo size, and nearing/passing the Field Gauge safety specs. This leads me to the original question above. I was thinking [always dangerous]... Is it possible to remove about .001-.002 from the back side of the bolt locking lugs, so that it sits that much toward the rear, and allows that increase in headspace? or, is this a huge no-no. Any help is appreciated. I would love to have another Remington marked bolt that fits as a backup. thank you