What Is Headspace in a Rifle and Why Does it Matter?

ByBuffalo Rifles Blog

What Is Headspace in a Rifle?

When you pull the trigger on a rifle, the firing pin strikes the primer of the cartridge, which ignites the gunpowder and sends the bullet down the barrel. But what happens if the bullet doesn’t have enough room to travel down the barrel? This is called a “headspace” problem, and it can cause serious damage to your rifle.

In this article, we’ll discuss what headspace is, why it’s important, and how to check and adjust it for your rifle. We’ll also provide some tips on how to avoid headspace problems in the future.

So if you’re interested in learning more about headspace, keep reading!

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
What is headspace in a rifle? The distance between the face of the bolt and the rear of the chamber Ensures that the cartridge is fully seated in the chamber before firing
How is headspace measured? With a headspace gauge Measures the distance between the bolt face and the shoulder of the cartridge
What are the consequences of incorrect headspace? Cartridge may not be fully seated in the chamber Can cause the cartridge to rupture when fired, resulting in serious injury or death

What is Headspace in a Rifle?

Definition of Headspace

Headspace is the distance between the face of the bolt and the rear of the cartridge case when the bolt is fully closed. This distance is critical to the safe and reliable operation of a rifle. If the headspace is too great, the cartridge case will not be fully supported by the chamber walls and may rupture when fired. If the headspace is too small, the bolt will not be able to close completely and the rifle will not fire.

Importance of Headspace

Headspace is important for two reasons. First, it ensures that the cartridge case is properly supported by the chamber walls. This prevents the case from rupturing when fired, which can cause serious injury to the shooter. Second, it ensures that the bolt can close completely. This is necessary for the rifle to fire reliably.

Causes of Headspace Problems

There are a number of things that can cause headspace problems. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Improper assembly of the rifle. If the rifle is not assembled correctly, the headspace may be incorrect. This can happen if the bolt is not installed properly or if the headspace gauges are not used correctly.
  • Worn or damaged parts. Worn or damaged parts can also cause headspace problems. This can happen if the bolt is worn or if the chamber walls are damaged.
  • Improper ammunition. Using the wrong type of ammunition can also cause headspace problems. This can happen if the ammunition is too long or if the cartridge case is too thin.

How is Headspace Measured?

Headspace is measured using a headspace gauge. There are two types of headspace gauges: Go/No-Go gauges and field gauges.

  • Go/No-Go gauges are used to check if the headspace is within acceptable limits. A Go gauge is a gauge that the bolt should be able to close on. A No-Go gauge is a gauge that the bolt should not be able to close on. If the bolt closes on a Go gauge but not on a No-Go gauge, the headspace is within acceptable limits. If the bolt closes on a No-Go gauge, the headspace is too great and the rifle is unsafe to fire.
  • Field gauges are used to fine-tune the headspace. A field gauge is a gauge that is slightly smaller than the Go gauge. By using a field gauge, you can adjust the headspace so that the bolt closes on the Go gauge but not on the field gauge. This will ensure that the headspace is as close to perfect as possible.

Headspace is a critical safety feature of a rifle. By understanding what headspace is and how it is measured, you can help to ensure that your rifle is safe and reliable to use.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

  • [Headspace: What It Is and Why It Matters](https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/headspace-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters/)
  • [How to Measure Headspace](https://www.pewpewtactical.com/how-to-measure-headspace/)
  • [Headspace Gauges: A Buyer’s Guide](https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/headspace-gauges-a-buyers-guide/249351)

2. What Causes Headspace Problems?

There are a few things that can cause headspace problems in a rifle. These include:

  • Improper assembly: If the rifle is not assembled correctly, the headspace between the bolt and the chamber may be incorrect. This can happen if the bolt is not installed properly, or if the headspace gauges are not used correctly.
  • Warped or damaged parts: If the bolt or the chamber is warped or damaged, it can cause the headspace to be incorrect. This can happen if the rifle is dropped or subjected to other rough handling.
  • Corrosion: Corrosion can cause the bolt and the chamber to become misaligned, which can lead to headspace problems. This is more common in rifles that are not properly cleaned and lubricated.
  • Manufacturing defects: In rare cases, a rifle may be manufactured with incorrect headspace. This is usually due to a mistake on the part of the manufacturer.

3. How to Adjust Headspace?

If the headspace in your rifle is incorrect, you will need to adjust it. There are three ways to do this:

  • Ream the chamber: This is the most common way to adjust headspace. Reaming involves using a special tool to enlarge the chamber until it is the correct size.
  • Taper the bolt face: This involves using a special tool to taper the bolt face so that it fits more tightly in the chamber.
  • Install a headspace shim: A headspace shim is a thin piece of metal that is placed between the bolt and the chamber to increase the headspace.

4. Headspace Safety Concerns

Headspace problems can be dangerous. If the headspace is too tight, the cartridge case may be unable to expand properly when it is fired. This can cause the case to rupture, which can send shrapnel into the shooter’s face and eyes. If the headspace is too loose, the cartridge case may not be held securely in the chamber. This can cause the case to come loose during firing, which can also send shrapnel into the shooter’s face and eyes.

Headspace is an important part of rifle safety. By understanding how headspace works and how to adjust it, you can help to ensure that your rifle is safe to shoot.

Further Reading

  • [Headspace and Timing in Firearms](https://www.nra.org/articles/headspace-and-timing-in-firearms)
  • [How to Check Headspace on a Rifle](https://www.wikihow.com/Check-Headspace-on-a-Rifle)
  • [Headspace Problems and How to Fix Them](https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/headspace-problems-and-how-to-fix-them/)

    What is headspace in a rifle?

Headspace is the distance between the face of the bolt and the rear of the chamber. It is critical for safety and accuracy. If the headspace is too tight, the cartridge will not be able to chamber properly and may cause the bolt to rupture. If the headspace is too loose, the cartridge may not be properly contained and may cause the rifle to fire out of battery.

How is headspace measured?

Headspace is measured with a headspace gauge. There are two types of headspace gauges: go gauges and no-go gauges. Go gauges are used to check that the headspace is not too tight. No-go gauges are used to check that the headspace is not too loose.

**What is the correct headspace for a rifle?

The correct headspace for a rifle will vary depending on the rifle’s make and model. The manufacturer’s specifications should be consulted for the correct headspace.

**How can I adjust the headspace on my rifle?

Headspace can be adjusted by either filing the bolt face or the chamber. Filing the bolt face is the more common method. It is important to only remove a small amount of material at a time and to frequently check the headspace with a gauge.

**What are the consequences of having incorrect headspace?

Incorrect headspace can lead to a number of problems, including:

  • Cartridges not chambering properly
  • Cartridges firing out of battery
  • Bolt rupture
  • Damage to the rifle
  • Serious injury or death

**How can I prevent incorrect headspace?

The best way to prevent incorrect headspace is to have your rifle professionally inspected and serviced by a qualified gunsmith. If you are unable to have your rifle inspected by a gunsmith, you can follow the manufacturer’s instructions for adjusting the headspace yourself.

**Additional resources

  • [Headspace – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headspace_(firearms))
  • [Headspace – The National Rifle Association](https://www.nra.org/articles/headspace-what-it-and-why-it-matters)
  • [Headspace – The Gun Digest Book of Rifle Ballistics](https://www.gundigest.com/articles/headspace-what-it-and-why-it-matters)

    headspace is an essential part of a rifle’s operation. It ensures that the cartridge is properly seated in the chamber and that the firing pin has sufficient clearance to strike the primer. If headspace is too tight, the cartridge may not be able to chamber properly, and if it is too loose, the firing pin may not be able to reach the primer. As a result, it is important to have your rifle’s headspace checked and adjusted regularly to ensure that it is functioning properly.

Here are some key takeaways regarding headspace:

  • Headspace is the distance between the face of the bolt and the rear of the chamber.
  • It is measured in thousandths of an inch.
  • The correct headspace is essential for a rifle to function properly.
  • If headspace is too tight, the cartridge may not be able to chamber properly.
  • If headspace is too loose, the firing pin may not be able to reach the primer.
  • It is important to have your rifle’s headspace checked and adjusted regularly to ensure that it is functioning properly.

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