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Headspace #5776134 06/06/15 04:06 AM
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Took a used (new to me) bolt action rifle of mine in to the gunsmith because it would dent the primers when the trigger was pulled, would not set off the primer. Found that the firing pin spring was weak. After replacement he was able to get the rifle to fire appropriately. But another problem surfaced- the primers were backing out of the case on ignition. He measured the excess headspace at 26/1000 of an inch making the rifle unsafe to fire / use in his opinion. His only solution was to rechamber the rifle into a 257 Roberts at a cost of $250. That is a lot more than what I paid for the rifle to start with, so that was out of the question. A used bolt sells for approximately $100, but the bolt would not be bent and would require additional cost to get a bent bolt braze on.

Does anyone know of a more economical way to get the rifle into safe shooting condition? Any info would be appreciated.


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Re: Headspace [Re: nuprofessor] #5776164 06/06/15 06:41 AM
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I assuming this is a mauser variant. Also what caliber, im having trouble giving a suggestion because it seems by the wording that its a 1/4 bore that has an overall length shorter than the 257 bob. To set a barrel back and recut chamber is somewhere in the neighborhood of 175-250. I suspect because you said bent bolt its a mauser. Midway and other online retailers have adams and bennet LR and SR barrels short chambered really cheap. Also im pretty sure bergara is another option that wont break the bank.


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Re: Headspace [Re: nuprofessor] #5776298 06/06/15 01:49 PM
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Guess it would have helped if I included some important info ('brain gas').
Rifle is a Jap Arisaka Type 38 in 6.5mm. Picked it up for very little money so not wanting to spend a lot to get it safely functional.
Thanks.


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Re: Headspace [Re: nuprofessor] #5776333 06/06/15 02:17 PM
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I'll assume that if the cases were fireformed to fit the overly large chamber, the headspace wouldn't be a problem. Rather than fireform with a loaded round, which seems unworkable in this case, I wonder if maybe the cases could be fireformed with the Cream of Wheat method? Then neck size the fired cases from then on. That's a cheap suggestion, and I think it would work.


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Re: Headspace [Re: nuprofessor] #5776995 06/06/15 11:56 PM
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Mike Honcho Offline
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That action is actually known to be pretty stout. Why not recut chamber to 6.5x55 swede, 6.5-06, or 260 (this might not be possible). As i recall this should be relatively inexpensive if they have the given reamer. I kno the 257 is a common conversion, but i havent heard good accuracy results. Id say punch out to 6.5 swede for a solid performer.


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Re: Headspace [Re: 603Country] #5777078 06/07/15 01:39 AM
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Originally Posted By: 603Country
I'll assume that if the cases were fireformed to fit the overly large chamber, the headspace wouldn't be a problem. Rather than fireform with a loaded round, which seems unworkable in this case, I wonder if maybe the cases could be fireformed with the Cream of Wheat method? Then neck size the fired cases from then on. That's a cheap suggestion, and I think it would work.


^^This^^ for the least expensive possibilty.

I would rechamber it. To have procured a working, stout action "for little money" is a win in my book. If the barrel was completely trashed, I'd still feel like it was a good deal.

And I don't know how your smith was going to make a 6.5 mm into a .257" for $250 without a whole nuther barrel.


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Re: Headspace [Re: nuprofessor] #5777147 06/07/15 02:37 AM
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Bore dia on that model is usually .257 @ grooves & .266 @ lands. Thats why its a common conversion, from what i recall. Id still go 6.5 swede youll clean up any erosion present and have a very hard hitting a d versatile round.


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Re: Headspace [Re: nuprofessor] #5777158 06/07/15 02:46 AM
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A lot of Ariska rifles were brought into this country after WWII, and ammo was hard to come by so a lot of them got rechambered to a 257 Roberts necked up to 6.5 or another way to get there is to neck down the 7X57 to 6.5mm. I loaded for one of those several years ago an was happy with the accutacy being about one inch @100 yards. it is a strong action and can have good hunting accuracy.

There is reloading data for the 6.5X57 in the Hornady manuals


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Re: Headspace [Re: nuprofessor] #5777518 06/07/15 03:46 PM
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I know this is "off topic" but a couple thoughts I have. (1) you have a rifle that's not safe to shoot the way it is, so you (A)sit on it (B) sell a known un-safe rifle, or (C) rectify the situation with a re-chamber/re-barrel. (2) Long shot, but I have no idea under what circumstances you purchased it. Does it have any intact or even partially intact "mums" on it? If they haven't been ground off it very well may be worth more as a collector than a shooter. Best of luck in whatever you decide.


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Re: Headspace [Re: nuprofessor] #5777527 06/07/15 04:03 PM
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Thanks for all your suggestions. Still have not decided what to do.

SLOW DRIFTER: Mums gone and rifle has been sporterized (stock cut, barrel shortened, and bolt bent)

JORGE: Is it possible to rechamber to 6.5x55 swede? I ask because the 6.5 jap (6.5x50) is a semi rimmed and the swede is rimless. Would the ejector function properly?


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Re: Headspace [Re: nuprofessor] #5779816 06/09/15 12:41 AM
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Im going to say yes, because i have seen several 6.5 swedes off the action in question, but i only say this based on seeing that action chambered in 6.5 swede. Also talked to a bud and he said he would recommend 6.5x57 mauser. Ammo is easy to find and about $20/box.


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Re: Headspace [Re: Mike Honcho] #5780608 06/09/15 03:29 PM
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Originally Posted By: jorge
Im going to say yes, because i have seen several 6.5 swedes off the action in question, but i only say this based on seeing that action chambered in 6.5 swede. Also talked to a bud and he said he would recommend 6.5x57 mauser. Ammo is easy to find and about $20/box.


Shot a custom rifle in this caliber built on a BRNO mauser action last weekend. Almost no felt recoil, and pretty zippy little round. The owner was one holing at 100 yards with some custom reloads. Might be my next build. Smith that built it is known for great hunting rifles on mauser actions.

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