[mw0248]

you guys need a little coaching here;
I'm talking about RIFLE rounds, but the same kinetic principle aplies to pistol, and revolver cartridges as well;
When the bolt of your rifle is locked, there is a 'head space', that distance between the back end of your round, and the bolt; Usually around .001-.002 of an inch;
When your round fires, the PRIMER actually moves back, and hits the bolt face;due to the round (the brass) expanding into the chamber dimensions of your rifle; a gas seal is formed when your brass expands into your chamber, and gess what? The only thing that can move is your PRIMER; and the bullet; The primer hits the bolt face, and sits there, waiting for the shell ( the brass) to decompress as the bullet goes down the barrel, and the PRIMER actually re-seats its self back into the spent shell;
This is what headspace is about; Too little headspace can't be measured; simply because, if your round wont chamber, it's not a headspace problem; It's a chamber broblem;
On the other hand, if you have a firearm that is shot out (neck/shoulder), this will allow
the unfired round to travel too far forward, thus creating a "HEADSPACE" problem, cause it allows the PRIMER to go too far back, allowing gases to escape behind the back of the brass case that you are shooting; This causes all kinds of problems, some of which can cause injury/death if not taken care of;

To an upcoming shooter, HEADSPACE can be confusing, but its just physics;

If you shoot a lot like I do, then you find these things out;

Lot easier now, than when we tried em out;

By the way, I have a SUPER .243 load with 95 gr. if you are interested (bulls eye at 200 yds);
Shoot well, and be safe!!
Mike