"Chisel" case extraction is a hopeless matter

Shooting Industry, March, 1989 by William Schumaker

Sometimes cartridge case variations can confuse young gunsmiths. Don't worry. Often it also bugs a lot of older `smiths. Those belted cartridges seem to have the greatest variations. We've become accustomed to this. The larger, longer cases can take more expansion, thus some variation is not usually quite as critical. Often we've chambered to one make of cartridge cases (along with headspace gauge checking), and found that reloading from there is easier and more accurate.

Better Tight Than Too Loose

If headspace is a little tight, causing a "pinchy" bolt closing on some cartridges, it is far better than that fall-in sloppy feeling. In military chambers machining for easy chambering is purposely done to allow positive functioning under heavy heat, stress, and lack of cleaning.

During WWII we experienced functioning difficulties when over-ambitious armorers failed to back off the barrels two or three clicks from the gauge setting. In some instances this was catastrophic. There is no time for gunsmithing during combat (especially for the fellows who are tucked into those bomber belly turrets).

Of course, this doesn't pertain to our civilian firearms in severity, but it is still relative. It is well for both gun owners and gunsmiths to understand this. A slightly tight bolt closure on a bolt-action sporting rifle, doesn't stop you, but it can and will stop many semi-autoloaders.

There was a time when it was suicidal agony and death of everyone on some WWII bombers. Under certain conditions there was such a thing as adhering to the book too closely. Once the ordinance experts learned from experience, they never forgot!

PHOTO : A hacksaw can quickly remove a Springfield barrel shank.