08-28-2017, 06:32 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-28-2017, 06:41 PM by NugginFutz.)
Chill, folks. No need to get short.
LH - To answer your question, BHW said to use a .125" bolt because that is what their barrels are now exclusively cut for.
Like many barrel makers, BHW began using the .125's at the time because of availability, and little else. They also cut chambers head spaced for the .136" bolts, and applied the now infamous "Type I / Type II" nomenclature to distinguish between the two. Only recently have they dropped the .136" variations, but only to simplify and reduce their tooling costs.
I have two BHW 264 LBC's, both head spaced at .136". I also have a Larue 6.5 Grendel, head spaced at .136". At any time, I can interchange bolts without concern.
There is also some competing anecdotal information about the advantages to either extractor thickness.
In the .125" camp, there is the claim that there is less unsupported case wall extending from the chamber. This is really a minor point, in my opinion, due to the lower case pressures of the Grendel cartridge.
In the .136" camp, you have the fact that the Grendel was originally designed for the .136" bolt face, with the extractor being a stronger, better fit for the Grendel's case lip.
The odds of your BHW with the .125" becoming a problem are affected by metalurgy, round count, and how hot your loads are. Statistically, you likely won't have an issue.
For those buying a new setup, the tried and true advice has been to stick with SAAMI, and .136" to avoid questionable performance, functionality and durability.
Apologies to the OP for semi-hijacking the thread. Hopefully, it goes back on track, now.
LH - To answer your question, BHW said to use a .125" bolt because that is what their barrels are now exclusively cut for.
Like many barrel makers, BHW began using the .125's at the time because of availability, and little else. They also cut chambers head spaced for the .136" bolts, and applied the now infamous "Type I / Type II" nomenclature to distinguish between the two. Only recently have they dropped the .136" variations, but only to simplify and reduce their tooling costs.
I have two BHW 264 LBC's, both head spaced at .136". I also have a Larue 6.5 Grendel, head spaced at .136". At any time, I can interchange bolts without concern.
There is also some competing anecdotal information about the advantages to either extractor thickness.
In the .125" camp, there is the claim that there is less unsupported case wall extending from the chamber. This is really a minor point, in my opinion, due to the lower case pressures of the Grendel cartridge.
In the .136" camp, you have the fact that the Grendel was originally designed for the .136" bolt face, with the extractor being a stronger, better fit for the Grendel's case lip.
The odds of your BHW with the .125" becoming a problem are affected by metalurgy, round count, and how hot your loads are. Statistically, you likely won't have an issue.
For those buying a new setup, the tried and true advice has been to stick with SAAMI, and .136" to avoid questionable performance, functionality and durability.
Apologies to the OP for semi-hijacking the thread. Hopefully, it goes back on track, now.
If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?