Savage Enfield: What is the next logical step?

[mannyrock]

 
   Dear Guys,
 
     I was looking at a Savage Enfield No. 5, MK I, in .303 British, that looks like it is in really good shape.  The bore is very sharp with no pitting.  It currently has a No. 1 bolt head on it, and it does not look like it has been shot very much at all.
 
   Unfortunately, I was told that the bolt closes on a Field Gauge.  (Hard to believe, since it looks like it was shot so little, but I'll take it as truth.)
 
   What is the next logical step please?  If I went out and bought a No. 2 bolt head and screwed it on, would it be reasonable for me to expect that the rifle would then pass the head space test?  Or, would this just be throwing away money.   How is this type of headspace problem normally resolved?
 
Thank for all replies.
 
Mannyrock
   

[mannyrock]

 
  CORRECTION:  The rifle is an Enfield No. 4, Mk 1.
 
Thanks, Mannyrock

[mauser98us]

Corrected just the way you said. The Enfield had 3 different size bolt heads that could correct headspace issues. This system allowed armorers to fix rifle easily in the field.If the longest bolt head did not cure the problem, then it went for a FTR ,basically a factory rebuild.  .

[gunnut69]

The enfields were built to fairly loose tolerances to allow extreme reliability under the filthiest of conditions.. Brass shimstock can tell the extent of the headspace issue and give you the bolt head you need to get it back in spec. Remember the headspace just measures the rim of the case as the shoulder such as it is, has no bearing. This means case life can still suffer with the gun in perfect headspace. The best course there is to adjust the sizing die to move the shoulder only enough to allow chambering and no more.. Done correctly it can add many reload cycles to the life of a case. It can also be a fix for a headspace problem as you change the round headspacing on the rim to the shoulder... I still reccomend correct headspace though for safeties sake.. Luck!!

[mannyrock]

   Thanks for the info.
 
    I think that if I want to check this rifle out further, I will need to buy a disc type headspace gauge (field gauge), from Okie, and go back and see if it will close on it.  If so, then I think that I may be able to find a No. 2 head, for around $25, and ask the owner of the rifle if I can screw it on and recheck headspace.  If it solves the problem, then he would probably pay me for the No. 2 head.  Or, I can decide to buy the rifle.
 
    I am really really surprised that with probably one million Enfield No. 4 rifles out there, some company does not use a CNC machine to make new No. 2 and No. 3 heads.   From what I've heard, even the No. 2 heads are gettting really hard to find.  I think people would easily pay $75 for them, as the alternative for the average person is to throw the rifle on the scrapeheap.
 
Thanks again,
 
  Mannyrock
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