Question about barrel fitting.

[revbc]

Got my new 223 barrel from Fred.  Doesn't lock up, a little tight which is good.  Have a fair gap at the top of the barrel.  I am in the process of facing the breech side of the barrel to true it up and at this point it is almost cleaned up and I have .0035 headspace from the barrel face to the cartridge head.  My question is, can or do I continue to face the barrel and see if it will lock up?  It seems to get closer every time I check it.  What is the minimum headspace that must be left?

Thanks,
Bobby

[quickdtoo]

Zero excess is ideal, as long as it will lock up fine, you could always push the shoulder back a liitle more if you had to... IF your're handloading for it. 

Tim

[revbc]

So, Tim what you are saying is........continue to remove metal from the barrel face to see if it will lock up as long as I have someeee..... headspace.  Can go down to .0001 if I'm careful.  (Thats real close to zero for me)

Thanks again,
Bobby

[quickdtoo]

Yup, if you can't get it completely closed by the time you get down to the minimum to still fully chamber a round, you'll have to start work on the pivot. 

Tim

[revbc]

That is what I thought, just needed some expert counseling.

Tim, thanks a bunch.

Bobby