Post by toddb on May 2, 2008 15:34:59 GMT 1
I’ve got a question for a wise and experienced Vickers gunner. I been using a .303 headspace gauge and the below steps to headspace my Vickers.
1. Remove the fusee spring.
2. Raise the rear cover and put the crank handle onto the roller.
3. Insert on the slot in the extractor, opposite to the firing pin hole, the headspace gauge.
4. lift the extractor up to its highest point.
5. Be sure the barrel is fully forward.
6. Turn the crank handle towards the check lever.
7. Guide the gauge into the chamber.
8. Push the check lever back just clear of the crank handle, and let the crank handle gently down towards it.
9. The connecting rod is the correct length when a check will be felt just before the crank handle reaches the check lever. If no check is felt, the lock is not fully forward and the connecting rod is too short and add washers.
However, since the .303 headspaces on the thickness of the case rim and the case rim is entirely in the extractor slot, why even use a headspace gauge?
Having said this, it seems to me that the Vickers actually headspaces on the front of the extractor and the rear of the barrel. So, why not just use a dummy cartridge to align the extractor and the barrel in the firing position and follow the above steps?
1. Remove the fusee spring.
2. Raise the rear cover and put the crank handle onto the roller.
3. Insert on the slot in the extractor, opposite to the firing pin hole, the headspace gauge.
4. lift the extractor up to its highest point.
5. Be sure the barrel is fully forward.
6. Turn the crank handle towards the check lever.
7. Guide the gauge into the chamber.
8. Push the check lever back just clear of the crank handle, and let the crank handle gently down towards it.
9. The connecting rod is the correct length when a check will be felt just before the crank handle reaches the check lever. If no check is felt, the lock is not fully forward and the connecting rod is too short and add washers.
However, since the .303 headspaces on the thickness of the case rim and the case rim is entirely in the extractor slot, why even use a headspace gauge?
Having said this, it seems to me that the Vickers actually headspaces on the front of the extractor and the rear of the barrel. So, why not just use a dummy cartridge to align the extractor and the barrel in the firing position and follow the above steps?