Headspace and accuracy, throat erosion check...questions for the experts...

[saturno_v]

Two quick questions for the people in the know..


1) All else being equal, accuracy in a rifle closing on a NO-GO gauge but not closing on a FIELD gauge, as general rule, will be worse compared to the same rifle not closing on a NO-GO gauge? "Excessive" headspace will impact accuracy? In what expected amount, in terms of MOA (if it can be generalized that way)?

2) What is the best way to check for throat erosion?? What are the visible signs to look for, if any, with a regular borelight? Many gunsmiths do not have special tools for throat erosion check...how they do it??
When I check a firearm barrel, especially if can be inspected from the breech, I try to look for any surface irregularity, rough spots, etc..


Thanks!


Regards

 

[R.W.Dale]

1) All else being equal, accuracy in a rifle closing on a NO-GO gauge but not closing on a FIELD gauge, as general rule, will be worse compared to the same rifle not closing on a NO-GO gauge? "Excessive" headspace will impact accuracy? In what expected amount, in terms of MOA (if it can be generalized that way)?

Most likely with ammunition resized to SAAMI specs. With ammo sized to this chamber anything is possible.

But you should know good and well at this point that each rifle is it's own individual and trying to quantify such conjecture to a accuracy loss or gain value through anything other than bullets sent downrange is pure folly. That any such generalizations coming out of this thread will be by their very nature flawed to the core

2) What is the best way to check for throat erosion?? What are the visible signs to look for, if any,

If the rifle still shoots good I don't sweat it

 

[Uncle Mike]

Whew!...glad you said all that krohus!

I was skeered were this was going...!

 

[alsaqr]

If the rifle still shoots good I don't sweat it

+1

One of my .22-250 guns has no visible rifling for the first 2" forward of the chamber. Accuracy has really gone to pot too. Instead of the 1/2" three shot groups it used to make it now makes groups that are Just under 3/4."