A5BLASTER Wrote:Negative ghost rider.

It could fit and have the wrong face depth.

This is why I only buy my bolts from this forum's group buy or from PF. It's also why I only buy sammi chambered barrel's.

Doing it this way I have never had problems, like so many guys seem too keep having.

FLshooter Wrote:Checking to see if the case fits is just a starting point.I always remove the extractor/ejector and use go/no go gauges when matching a new barrel and bolt.For $50 a set of gauges gives you piece of mind.

A5BLASTER Wrote:Are buy from well known sources and save the 50 bucks for ammo or reloading components.

FLshooter Wrote:Checking to see if the case fits is just a starting point.I always remove the extractor/ejector and use go/no go gauges when matching a new barrel and bolt.For $50 a set of gauges gives you piece of mind.

Klem Wrote:You'll get more utility out of a $50 better barrel than GO/NO GO gauges.

The chances of the gun blowing up in your face, even with this caliber where there are two possible bolt face depths is remote. $50 of gun-money is a lot to some so spending that on a better quality barrel is money better spent.

It's a reasonable risk and you can always fire the first round of a new barrel/bolt from the hip. Then use calipers and Hornady .350" headspace gauge (or a .357 spent case) and measure case stretch.

Or as A5 is saying, buy from a reputable manufacturer.

FLshooter Wrote:$50 can buy some ammo.Not much of a barrel upgrade.But,it can buy you a top of the line eye patch!LOL!

Klem Wrote:You are talking about a possible situation of too much headspace, not barrel obstruction or too much powder. How often has injury from too much headspace been documented on this forum over the years?

Case separation is not as dramatic as you imply. It has happened to me twice in an AR/223 due to too much headspace. The gun does not blow up. The case does it's job to the point of failure and the gun remains safely in battery. You then have the issue of getting the front half of the spent case out which might be stuck in the chamber.

The other scenario is there is too little headspace and in that case the gun does not go into battery and does not fire.

I have GO/NO GO/FIELD gauges for 223 but they are rarely used. Good for checking guns if there's no opportunity to test fire, like at a gun show. Machinists need them when reaming chambers. But for shooters the OP's better off buying a set of calipers and the Hornady headspace Gauge, and/or firing the first round from the hip, pointing downrange and wearing protective eyewear, or looking away to take the shot. Granted, $50 not going to buy a best barrel but if the difference between a cheap barrel (where most of the problems come from) and a best barrel is only $200 then $50 is some of the way there. Plus it'll likely be more accurate.

Herzo Wrote:I have 2 barrels with matching bolts from "he who shall not be named " , both are 0.136" deep bolt faces and both chambers are 0.010" too deep!! Meaning that I need to set my die long lest I get case seperation. So much for trusting your supplier.