Headspace gauges

[50 Freak]

Can anyone point me out to where I can get relatively cheap headspace gauges?

And what is the difference between headspace gauges and GO/NO-GO gauges?

I am an idiot when it comes to things like this and want something I can check my 7.62x51 Nato and 308 rifles.

Can you use on set for both?

[stevie]

No-Go checks for excessive headspace. If bolt closes on no-go then excessive headspace exists. Bolt should not close.

Go checks for short headspace. Bolt should close on gauge

Field gauge check for maximum headspace allowed. Sometimes a bolt will close on no-go, but will not close on field. Headspace may be close to being excessive but still in safe range.

Think this is correct

Check brownells or midway for guagees.

[ohsmily]

Can anyone point me out to where I can get relatively cheap headspace gauges?

And what is the difference between headspace gauges and GO/NO-GO gauges?

I am an idiot when it comes to things like this and want something I can check my 7.62x51 Nato and 308 rifles.

Can you use on set for both?

Wheeler engineering gauges from Midwayusa.com are less than 15 apiece.

[ocabj]

I have the Forster go/no-go/field gauges for .308 Winchester.

If you have both 7.62 NATO and .308 rifles to headspace, you'll need to get gauges for both: 308 Winchester commercial gauges and 7.62 NATO milspec gauges. .308 Winchester and 7.62 NATO are NOT the same. From a user's standpoint, they are basically the same. From a gunsmith's standpoint and by specification, they are not.

[50 Freak]

I bought a Poly M-14 and want to check headspace periodically as I've been told their bolts are soft and headspacing should be check every few hundred rounds.

The Poly is in 308 so I guess I should get a 308 Go/No-Go guage huh?

[ocabj]

I bought a Poly M-14 and want to check headspace periodically as I've been told their bolts are soft and headspacing should be check every few hundred rounds.

The Poly is in 308 so I guess I should get a 308 Go/No-Go guage huh?

Recommended reading -> http://www.fulton-armory.com/308.htm

[Josh]

I bought a Poly M-14 and want to check headspace periodically as I've been told their bolts are soft and headspacing should be check every few hundred rounds.

The Poly is in 308 so I guess I should get a 308 Go/No-Go guage huh?

Polytechs are chambered for 7.62 nato

The ranges for 7.62nato and .308 win overlap. A chamber in spec for .7.62nato will close on a field gauge for .308 win. basically a 308 field is closer to a 7.62 no go gauge.

From what I remember foster or manson make 7.62nato gauges for you, all you need to do is ask.

[Pablo]

Have you tried Brownells? I have a 10% discount coupon if you want it.

[50 Freak]

I'm trying to keep this on the cheap side. Brownell's gauges are $30 bucks each. So that's over $60 not including shipping for a set of gauges.

I think I'll try the Wheeler Engineering gauges (THANKS OHSMILY). Unfortunately they are out of stock.

So let me get this straight. Can you use a one set of Go/No-Go gauge for both 7.62x51 Nato and 308 rifles? Or would you have to buy two sets. One 7.62x51 Nato and one for the 308?

[Josh]

1.6455 is field for nato
1.6375 no go nato
1.6355 is nato go gauge (minimum)

1.638 field .308 win
1.634 nogo .308 win
1.630 go .308 win

[BlackRifleFan]

The only one you need is the NATO 1.6455 is field gauge. This gauge lets you know you have too much headspace and "Do not fire"

A Polytech will still close on a SAAMI Field gauge and safely fire.

As for a go-gauge, just use factory ammo instead, if it chambers then it means you have enough headspace.

I myself have the following Forster gauges because I like to know where my gun stands.
1.6455 - NATO Field Gauge
1.638 - SAAMI Field Gauge
1.634 - SAAMI NO GO
1.630 - SAAMI GO