User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
NV, USA
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Posted: 11/28/2018 5:20:00 PM EDT
is this really that crucial and important. was going to pick up a bartlein barrel and use a jp bcg.
are these things close enough, so to speak? i mean, i can easily check the headspace myself but as far as accuracy goes, matched bolt or not matched bolt---still the same? i put a jp supermatch on my ar and use a lmt enhanced bcg, shoots pretty darn accurate. what is the consensus of the hive mind? |
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Posted: 11/28/2018 5:36:44 PM EDT
[#1]
I've never bothered with headspacing, nor known anyone that did. I've also never known anyone that's had a problem with their AR.
I'm building a precision upper and a rifle for a friend though, and I dropped those barrel/bolts off to get headspaced. Why? Partly because I was dropping them off for gas block dimpling anyways, so I might as well, and partly because I just wanted to be sure I covered all my bases on each setup. I've no concerns about it and doubt I ever would have known a difference if I had or hadn't, but for how cheap it was I didn't find a reason not to. If you'd have to go spend a significant (to you) amount of time and money, maybe don't bother. Whether that's driving a long way to a smith or having to get your own go/no-go gauges. But if it's convenient/easy/cheap, then I say just go for it for peace of mind. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 11/29/2018 6:18:58 PM EDT
[#2]
Not crucial IMO
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Posted: 12/19/2018 5:27:14 PM EDT
[#3]
Never have after 20 or so assemblies. All shot well.
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TX, USA
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Posted: 12/19/2018 9:17:58 PM EDT
[#4]
I assume we're talking about an AR15 platform here, correct? If we're talking about large platform AR's like .308's, 6.5CM's, etc. in different brand bolt and barrel combinations, then I'd say it's highly recommended to check headspace.
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MD, USA
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Posted: 12/20/2018 8:46:48 AM EDT
[#5]
Most accurate AR barrels I've owned did NOT have a matching bolt.
BTW, I'm running a Bartlein right now and it ran the same with a mil-spec bolt or a Young Manufacturing. Hell of a good barrel. |
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Posted: 12/20/2018 11:55:41 AM EDT
[Last Edit: bfoosh06]
[#6]
I'd bet it does matter... BUT, how much is the question.
And even then the rest of the build better be good. Attention to build details, IMHO is very important. I'll bet your build will be danged good even just slapped together... however those other build details will make it more consistently precise, with a broader base of factory ammo's.... true the upper receiver face stuff... glue the barrel in.... tight upper to lower fit ( less chance of your shooting position being a factor ) ... how good is the chamber been cut... If you are shooting 300yds, you might not ever notice.. or be able to attribute the added precision to a well matched bolt. On the other hand... 1000yds may be when you need/ want the extra precision. 1/10th MOA extra precision at 1000yds might be important enough for the individual. So ... for me, it depends on the intended use. Lots of added things to do for a 1K gun, if you want to eek out the most. For a 300-600yd gun.. probably not needed for everyone. |
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USA
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Posted: 12/20/2018 4:04:28 PM EDT
[#7]
I've had 1 instance with 5.56 NATO of a bolt not closing on a GO gage.
had 2 instances of AR-308 closing on a NO-GO gage, swapping to a different bolt solved those. out of about 2 dozen builds. YMMV. |
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Posted: 1/2/2019 9:09:36 PM EDT
[#8]
Glad I found this thread, was thinking the same thing the other day,. You don't have a lot of knobs to turn, to make any corrections....other than trying different bolts.
I feel if you stay with quality, reputable suppliers, you will have the greatest chance of being OK. 77 |
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KS, USA
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Posted: 1/3/2019 10:41:00 AM EDT
[#9]
I used to think you did not need to worry about headspace on quality parts. Until I purchased 3 new barrels off here. None would chamber a round after they were built. The Go guage would not chamber. I check Headspace on ALL barrels now. A good lesson for me. I always thought machining was repeatable with all computer equipment. Good shooting
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USA
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Posted: 1/3/2019 11:07:19 AM EDT
[#10]
If you handload I don’t think it matters because you can resize your brass to have the exact headspace you desire.
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LA, USA
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Posted: 1/4/2019 2:56:56 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Rocketvapor]
[#11]
If you handload you can be more precise than just Go-NoGo.
Measuring the effect of bolt on headspace is pretty easy (face to back of lug). I find about 0.001" variance between a several bolts. Weeds out the possibility of one that was machined wrong. About 0.002" across a few barrels, determined from fired cases. With reloading you have to start somewhere. New brass or factory ammo will generally be a little short. Sounds like a go to me. Once fired, sometimes twice fired and you have precision samples for each of your chambers. On the reloading bench you can check zero bump, 0.001" bump, 0.002", etc. Compare to your factory round "Go". Record for each chamber. Pinking gets a little more than a precision round. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 2/11/2019 4:03:02 PM EDT
[Last Edit: DevL]
[#12]
Both Krieger and CLE told me that the JP bolts are so consistent that they dont need the actual bolt to get propper headspace. They all measure under .001 difference.
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