Excessive headspace can create increased recoil and lead to a gun shooting loose sooner than it ought to.
By Mike George
Monday, 23 August 2010
What's meant by excessive headspace clearance and how can you tell if a shotgun suffers from it. Can anything be done to put it right?
Shotgun technical advice
MIKE GEORGE
Headspace is the space between the cartridge head and the breech face, when the gun is closed.
The gap should be no more than a few thousandths of an inch, otherwise you may suffer from excessive recoil, among other problems.
Headspace gauges can be used for checking.
They usually come in pairs – a ‘go’ gauge and a ‘no go’ gauge.
When they are inserted in the chamber, the gun should close over the ‘go’ gauge, but not over the ‘no go’.
The usual difference between the gauges is around 0.005 inches.
If the space is excessive, the usual solution is to re-joint the gun.
In fact, excessive headspace can be a symptom of worn jointing.
Pigeon shooting PETER THEOBALD This old chestnut...
Shooting coach Mark Russell treks to the outback of his shooting groun... Read more
Browning B525 Game shotgun: Take a look at the Browning B525 - a shotg... Read more
The UK's gun laws need to be simplified, BASC's director of ... Read more
Shooting businesses are among a range of small companies in South West... Read more
A clay shooting event, in aid of a regional blood cancer charity, has ... Read more
Subscribe today from as little as £13.49 & give the perfect gift this Christmas.
Comments