Educate me about Lee MLE rifle please

[303tom]

Well, that is the myth. In fact, excess headspace on a rimmed cartridge will cause the same problems as with a rimless. The pressure will push the bolt back as far as it can. If that is too far, the case will separate; that is not too bad if the base remains in the chamber. But if headspace is way excessive, the case head will back out of the chamber to the point where it will not be supported by the chamber, filling the action with high pressure gas that will destroy the magazine, bulge the receiver rails, and blow out the extractor.

Jim

Excuse me but on a rimmed cartridge the case head sits outside the chamber, unlike the rimless which sits entirely inside the chamber................

 

[Jim K]

Excuse me, but that is not true, and what does that have to do with headspace anyway?

Jim

 

[303tom]

OK...........

 

[Legion489]

Let's all agree that checking the headspace can't hurt and is easily corrected by buying a new bolt head which is easily changed out if needed. Yes, it is easier on the No. 4 with numbered bolt heads, but my Aussie manuals just say get a few bolt heads and measure them and pick the longest that will work properly for the No. 1. Admittedly you will need to check a few bolt heads to find the one you need (IF you need one!) but that is not a huge problem.