I bought myself a headspace gauge for my new Brit .303 and the instructions say that I have to remove the extractor from the bolt before testing.  The bolt won't come close to closing with the gauge in it. Does that mean that if I go to a gunshow and want to checkout a particular rifle that I would have to dismantle the bolt assembly there in the spot?  Tell me it ain't so.hinking.gif

Quoted: I bought myself a headspace gauge for my new Brit .303 and the instructions say that I have to remove the extractor from the bolt before testing.  The bolt won't come close to closing with the gauge in it. Does that mean that if I go to a gunshow and want to checkout a particular rifle that I would have to dismantle the bolt assembly there in the spot?  Tell me it ain't so.

That's what it means.

Good luck with headspacing a .303 Brit.

The bolt heads on Enfields are numbered. What number is yours? It is stamped on it, and might be faint but it is there you just have to look for it.

.303 ammo headspaces on the rim if I am not mistaken. It does not sound like you have excessive headspace, but too tight.

If I remember correctly if it is too tight you will have to go down a number. I may stand corrected on this, so if anyone knows correct me. So, say you have a #2 bolt head, get a #3.

The bolt head screws right out of the bolt, as I recall.


*Disregard* all the above. I misunderstood you. Do you already have the rifle or are thinking of buying one? If you are wanting to buy one I seriously doubt any seller is going to allow you to remove the extractor in order to check it. However, if you do buy one and the headspace is off, refer to the above on how to correct it. As I remember, there are bolt heads marked 1 through 5 for the Enfield.

Quoted: The bolt heads on Enfields are numbered. What number is yours? It is stamped on it, and might be faint but it is there you just have to look for it. .303 ammo headspaces on the rim if I am not mistaken. It does not sound like you have excessive headspace, but too tight. If I remember correctly if it is too tight you will have to go down a number. I may stand corrected on this, so if anyone knows correct me. So, say you have a #2 bolt head, get a #3.

Unless it's a No.1.  Only one bolt head available for these rifles.

(Note to self:  Call Numrich and find out where my bolt head is or refund )

Quoted: I bought myself a headspace gauge for my new Brit .303 and the instructions say that I have to remove the extractor from the bolt before testing.  The bolt won't come close to closing with the gauge in it. Does that mean that if I go to a gunshow and want to checkout a particular rifle that I would have to dismantle the bolt assembly there in the spot?  Tell me it ain't so.

What size of headspace gauge is it? If it’s a go gauge the bolt should close. It should not close on a field or no go gauge. The Enfield bolt end comes in 4 sizes, 0-3. 3 is the largest. If your Enfield is not closing on a go gauge and you have a size 0 bolt end you will need to have the chamber cut. If you have a 1-3 bolt head you can try one of the smaller bolt heads. When I bought my .303 Enfield #4 it closed on a field gauge with a size 0 bolt head. Got a size 2 off of EBay that fixed everything right up.

Every headspace gauge that I have except for my M1 Carbine gauges are cut away for the extractor. You can still check headspace with the extractor in if the gauge is cut away for it. Try it. You can still check to see if the bolt is closing on a gauge (or not closing) even with the ejector and extractor in place on a bolt gun. Just remember to seat the gauge gently. The problem is going to be checking headspace on a gas gun without disassembling it.

Edit, my experience is with the #4, it does have 4 bolt head sizes, not sure about the #1. Apparently it only has 1 size.