military rifle parts lot/Mauser barreled action

[Otis is DaMan]

I got my .308 field gauge today and the barreled action will not close on it.

- From the OP posted above.

Not familiar with field gauges. A go or a no-go gauge ? Is the action supposed to close on a field gauge ? If no, then is there an explanation for the above shots ?

Thanks !!!

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Otis, a field gauge is slightly longer than a no-go guage. It is used "in the field" to see if rifles that will close on a no-go guage are still safe to shoot. A bolt that will close on a no-go guage but not on a field guage is still safe to shoot even though it isn't the optimal situation.

 

[Mustang51]

Got out to the range today and fired a few more rounds through it.

I shot Prvi 168 gr match, Lapua 185 gr Scenar, Federal 168 gr OTM (loaded for the M1A) and 150 gr. Federal Powershok.

The best groups were with the Powershoks. It seems like this rifle likes the lighter bullets.

After firing some 5 shot groups with the various brands of ammo, this was the best group (@100 yards, off a sand bag front rest, no rear rest)


Seeing that the Mauser seemed to like the light bullets best, I fired my last 6 rounds of the Federal Powershoks...


The gun had cooled off by this time and the first round went 3 o'clock, the next round was at 12 o'clock and a bit high. The last four were closely grouped between the first two rounds. I suspect that the barrel is new. If so, will the groups gradually improve as the barrel "wears in"?

Thanks