So I've been thinking...

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dc.fireman

dc.fireman

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I know, I know...:what:

This headspace/shell holder kissing the ram / headspace gauge has me somewhat confused, and concerned. Now - I'm not trying to start any of the arguments that have already been hashed out here before (and subsequently locked certain threads). What I'd like to know is:

If I were to be able to get some kind of soft material, say wax, or modeling clay, could I make a mold of my chamber, and then use that mold to obtain the exact measurements I need?

I started thinking about the wax bullet threads, and the headspace threads, and all the case life/ shoulder threads, etc. Could it be done?

My thinking is that if I were to soften up some wax, and use something like CLP, or Rem-oil to coat the chamber + throat, I could then force the warm wax into the chamber by hand, wait a little while for it to cool down, and because it's coated in oil, it shouldn't stick in my chamber, therefore I might be able to get a better 'picture' of what my chamber looks like inside...

Anyone else have any ideas?

-tc
 
They make a product just for that purpose called Cerro-safe. It melts at low temperature and there is minimal shrinkage. You can find it on Midway's site, Brownell's, etc.

There are also headspace gauges that will tell you what your chamber measures to a certain degree. RCBS also makes the caliber specific Precision Mic that will measure your fired brass and tell you what the chamber headspace is for that particular rifle. I personally like the Precision Mic dies and have them in several calibers.

Hope this helps.
 
Get a gunsmith to rebarrel your rifle. Then get him to cut a sizing die with the same reamer. Then pony up for the bill. :eek:

or....just get one of the tools for meausreing where your shoulder is so you can put it wherever you want. Min, max, in between, whatever.

It can be a cheap or free homemade tool.

It can be the RCBS tool Fred mentioned

It can be a relatively inexpensive set up from Hornady or Sinclair.

It could be a cadillac, like this tool from Innovative.
 
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All you need is a fired case and a birthday candle.

A. Coat the case shoulder with candle flame soot.
B. Remove the striker assembly from the bolt.
C. Chamber the case and close the bolt.

Note:
1. The bolt will close somewhat hard on the fired case.
2. The candle soot will be rubbed off the shoulder by the tight case in the chamber.

Now, resize the case partially, soot it, and chamber it again.

Notice easier bolt closing and less soot removed from the case shoulder?
Continue until just very slight resistance is felt when closing the bolt and the soot is just marked by a bright ring on the shoulder.

That right there is perfect sizing headspace.

Thats all the equipment you need, and all you need to know when adjusting the sizing die.

In actuality, most factory rifles, and most dies and shell holders, will size about perfectly when the die is screwed down tight against the shell holder.

rc
 
Or you can do it the old fashioned way rcmodel noted. Its worked for many, many years. :)
 
I like all of those ideas, except for their price. From the highest at around $90, to the birthday candle, at around $0.10.

I have access to some beeswax ingots, at the local hardware store. I was thinking of warming them up in the sun, until they're soft and pliable. I'd use some sort of light oil, or case lube to lube the surfaces and prevent the wax from sticking. Then I'd simply push the soft wax from the breech end, to the rifling. I know it's basically a poor mans chamber cast, but thats the point. The Brownells price for a 1/2 lb. of Cerrosafe, is $29, the Midway price is $18. With a beeswax ingot of the same size going for $1.00, it makes sense to give it a shot.

I like the other tools listed, but it seems like lately, I'm amassing a dazzling array of 'stuff' specific to reloading on my bench, and sooner or later, the wife is going to start giving me the fisheye about how much this stuff is starting to cost. And yes, I gave her the old 'it's cheaper to shoot in the long run if I reload' line when I got this started.

-tc

p.s.- I know it comes off as sounding cheap, but thats not the case. It's more like, "I want to know this stuff right NOW, and I don't want to wait for the postman to bring it to me..."
 
How are you going to transfer the measurements from the beeswax mold to the resized cartridge or die? The candle method works because it uses the case and soot to "measure" for you.

Andy
 
I like all of those ideas, except for their price. From the highest at around $90, to the birthday candle, at around $0.10.
Click to expand...

If you can't afford the candle you're in a world of hurt. :what: Find out when one off the neighbor kids is having a birthday party, crash it for a piece of cake and steal a candle. :eek:
 
Find out when one off the neighbor kids is having a birthday party, crash it for a piece of cake and steal a candle.
Click to expand...

:eek::eek::eek: I thought this was The High Road?

At least you can print out a birthday card and promise to take the kid shooting when he/she is old enough with parents' approval - Then ask for the used candles. :D
 
How are you going to transfer the measurements from the beeswax mold to the resized cartridge or die?
Click to expand...
Plus 1!

I'm all with BigJakeJ1s on the beeswax idea.

All you will have when you get done is a lump of beeswax that you have no way of measuring for headspace, using to set the sizing die, or anything else.

Seems to me to be a total waste of time & beeswax.

rc
 
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