Quoted:
Quoted:
What brand gauges are you using? A new bolt may or may not help. Its still OK as long as it doesnt close on the Field Gauge but you need to what it closely. Try a 65 series bolt they are the longest
In order of length,shortest to longest; as long as they are not worn
-12SA
-14
-17
-19
-2
65-series
unfortunately I am using a 65 series, the bolt appears to have very little if much at all wear on it. The reciever and barrel are 1954's SA. I had bought it with the intention of replacing the barrel anyway but the barrel looks very very good inside and out, and well I just wanted to use it since it was hopefully original with the reciever. I may just replace the barrel on it. Oh yeah the go and no go are clymer and the field gagae is forster, I know their are slight differences in them but clymer is all I have ever used to check space with, personal choice I guess. I did recheck the headspace, When closed on the field gage it is like 3 thousandths from closing.
OP,
Below is info from FORSTER's website on their gages. I have listed the gage dimensions taken directly off my Forster 30-06 gages. I would highly recommend that you get Jerry Kuhnhausen's M1/M14 Shop Manual.
http://www.forsterproducts.com/Pages/gages.asp
Forster offers three lengths of headspace gages per rifle caliber. In order from the shortest to longest, they are: GO, NO-GO and FIELD:
GO: Corresponds to the minimum chamber dimensions. If a rifle closes on a GO gage, the chamber will accept ammunition that is made to SAAMI’s maximum specifications. The GO gage is essential for checking a newly-reamed chamber in order to ensure a tight, accurate and safe chamber that will accept SAAMI maximum ammo. Although the GO gage is necessary for a gunsmith or armorer, it usually has fewer applications for the collector or surplus firearms purchaser.
NO-GO:
Corresponds to the maximum headspace recommended for gunsmiths chambering new firearms. This is NOT a SAAMI-maximum measurement. If a rifle closes on a NO-GO gage, it may still be within SAAMI specifications or it may have excessive headspace. To determine if there is excessive headspace, the chamber should then be checked with a FIELD gage.
The NO-GO gage is essential for checking a newly-reamed chamber in order to ensure a tight and accurate chamber.
FIELD:
Corresponds to the longest safe headspace. If a rifle closes on a FIELD gage, its chamber is dangerously close to, or longer than, SAAMI’s specified maximum chamber size. If chamber headspace is excessive, the gun should be taken out of service until it has been inspected and repaired by a competent gunsmith.
FIELD gages are slightly shorter than the SAAMI maximum in order to give a small safety margin.
DIMENSIONS LISTED ON MY FORSTER GAGES:
FORSTER NO-GO: 2.0547"
FORSTER FIELD: 2.0577" which is 0.003" longer than NO-GO dimension. If your bolt is your quoted 2-3 thousandths short of closing on the FIELD gage, your headspace is just over NO-GO dimension and is fine just as 30Caliber told you above. He did not just fall off the turnip truck and land here.