2A Enfield

[Willtallica]

I'm not sure if he just used GO gauge or not, but seeing it was a commercial gun smith I'm left with the impression he just used a GO.

And what I payed is pretty irritating, but well someones got to keep the stock holders happy. I'm looking into that gauge you showed me, because there's no way I can afford to ever go back there again. You should see what they charge for hack jobs.

[762xIan]

PA Rifleman is exactly correct!

If they used a standard 308 headspace no-go gauge, a milsurp rifle may close on it, there are some slight case size differences between .308 and 7.62 NATO.

A standard .308 No-go is 1.364" while 7.62 NATO is No-go is 1.6405. I am willing to bet the smith used a standard .308 gauge and didn't make any allowances for it.

Many military rifles (NATO) have chambers a little on the large side due to all the different countries making NATO ammo, so a slightly larger chamber accomodates the different ammo manufacturers.

You can tell if it is close, the bolt may close on a No-Go but the barrel may have plenty of life left in it.

If it does close on a "Field Reject" gauge, then you are looking at putting on a new barrel.

I am not sure if I have a field gauge, I will let you know.

[PA Rifleman]

Originally Posted by Willtallica

...And what I payed is pretty irritating,...

Not to mention finding out you may be a fraud victim. If your gun closed on a GO gauge and that was used as prima facie evidence of excess headspace, head elsewhere (maybe the BBB or local chamber of commerce to file a fraud complaint). I won't go into the headspace checking procedure again, the only point I'll add is that it specified the use of a FIELD gauge.

A 2A will often close on a NO-GO gauge because it's 7.62mmx51 (not .308) AND because military chambers are slightly looser for enhanced reliability under adverse conditions.

My 2A comes very close to closing on FIELD, but does have perceptible resistance just before closure.

With commercial chambering, the chamber reamer is used to cut the chamber after installing the barrel. The gunsmith cuts a small portion and then checks headspace with a GO gauge at regular intervals. When the chamber just closes on GO, the smith usually verifies proper spacing with the NO-GO (it shouldn't close on NO-GO). Go means it's at least the minimum allowable clearance, all rifles should close on this one.

[Willtallica]

So 2as are likely to be excessive past no-go, and close to field gauge as they should be?

[PA Rifleman]

Originally Posted by 762xIan

...
A standard .308 No-go is 1.364" ....

Ian: Didn't you intend to write "1.6340"? The difference between 1.364 and 1.6405 certainly is excessive. Did we transpose the three and the six?

For the sake of simply lighting rounds off safely, 1.6455" (NATO) -1.6380" (.308) is 0.0075" or the difference between a .308 and 7.62mmx51 NATO field gauge.

Will, I spelled the field gauge test procedure as clearly as I can in post 19088.

As the bolt handle goes down into battery, it should provide a small amount of resistance. Note that it's possible - even easy - to force it into battery. Don't force it, you'll only damage something. This is how the rifle and gauge tell you the gauge is too big, and the chamber's right. Pull out the gauge, reassemble the rifle and blast away.

Other articles on this subject:
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting...nato/index.asp
http://www3.sympatico.ca/shooters/7_62vs308.htm
http://carnival.saysuncle.com/002453.html
http://www.fulton-armory.com/308.htm
http://www.westtexasarmory.com/FAQ.htm#where0
http://www.thegunzone.com/30cal.html

[762xIan]

PA Rifleman, yes I screwed that up I should have just cut and pasted from where I found the sizes.

Willtallica, PM is inbound! I found my .308 field gauge! Lets hook up and check your rifle out!

[St Michael]

Originally Posted by P95Carry

Mine I think came from AIM - maybe 3 years ago now. Did nothing to pretty it up, apart from cosmo removal. Headspace checked out OK.

All I did do was fit a scope, tho as of now it does not shoot that tight of a group.

Hi Chris,

That is the kind of rifle I'm looking for right now. What kind of scope mount did you use? Is it a good solid mount?

Good to "see" you on yet another forum,

(Dr.) Brian

[P95Carry]

Hey Brian!!

The mount on this is IIRC a B-Square and I got someone to drill and tap for me . ..does OK.

The best Enfield mount tho is one I have fitted to my MkIV sporterized- it is from Brownells but no good probably for the old SMLE config'.. fits snug using rear sight mount pin and locks onto stripper clip bar.

Probably worth doing a web search for ''Enfield sight rails'' or similar.

Hope the C2H5OH is good - but not being supped!

[St Michael]

Originally Posted by P95Carry

Hey Brian!!

The mount on this is IIRC a B-Square and I got someone to drill and tap for me . ..does OK.

The best Enfield mount tho is one I have fitted to my MkIV sporterized- it is from Brownells but no good probably for the old SMLE config'.. fits snug using rear sight mount pin and locks onto stripper clip bar.

Probably worth doing a web search for ''Enfield sight rails'' or similar.

Hope the C2H5OH is good - but not being supped!

Just picked up the Ishapore 2A today. My son and I will be tearing it down completely, then refinishing the stock. I don't know yet if we'll have to get the metal refinished, but I've read there is military parkerizing under the cheap black paint on the metal.

We're going to use the "dishwasher method" on the wood and metal. My wife is accepting of my eccentricities and heterodox approaches, and she has been forewarned about the "dishwasher method" already. I showed her this link about it:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting...thod/index.asp

[Willtallica]

Well I got a gauge, followed the rifleman's instruction, and I got bad news. Without a doubt it's pretty excessive. In the slowest motion I could I turned the bolt down, and I did not feel a any bit of resistance.

Possible good news:
I herd the bolts aren't all exactly the same length, and by exchanging them I can find one that won't show excessive headspace. I'm not sure if that's true. Anyone have confirmation on that?

I'm also going to email AIM at sometime, and see if they can help me to.

Here's some last pictures I took of it refinished -









In the least it's a really nice, and not to bad of a price wall hanger.