p14 headspace

[JS569]

As you may have seen my P14 is for sale. I've been asked about the headspace (not from any FB members), however I've never noticed any problems.
1. Is it a common issue with P14's?
2. Can I check it any way? (the rifle functions perfectly and shoots very well so I've have had no reason to question it.

thanks in advance

[saddler]

If it was a problem it'd have been very obvious by now when you fired it

[JS569]

thanks Saddler, would you expect to see flattened primers and bulged cases near the base?

[hitchphil]

The receiver has a square fixed pitch thread & so the head space is fixed by shims not torque (or specially fettling the barrel to precise measures to fit. So if the barrel is poorly fitted it can have excess.

Too little the bolt will be harder to close, poss ring pitting in the bolt face, too much & the cases may bulge at the base but then you wont see that on the rifle. Also many many P14s don't have matching bolt numbers to receivers & many have had the barrels replaced especially as target rifles. I believe the shims are sometimes fragile & I have had one that just could not be head spaced properly because the required shim was to thin & it folded up on torque. So we tried another barrel & the shim was thicker & it went together well passed proof & shot to 1 moa.

To answer their question let them shoot it & inspect the case :-)

[dromia]

Headspace gauges are the only way of checking meaningfully and being able to say with authority if the headspace is OK.

[ovenpaa]

You will need a head pace gauge as suggested and the few I have checked were always good which is a lot more than I can say for the Enfields I have checked.

[JS569]

Thank you for the replies, I've certainly learnt something today and from using the rifle I don't feel there is any issue with head space.