Did you know you can walk right up on a buck to bag the big one?
"Walking Right Up To A Buck"
First of all, deer have no sense of danger. They don't really know that we are a threat. Now, bucks perk up and pay attention when they hear something. When they hear you, they put their tails up and they keep their heads up and perfectly still.
THIS PART IS CRUCIAL: Average hunters will stop in their tracks or, better yet, they will raise their rifle in haste thinking they won't be able to get off a good shot. It's important to know that the buck is just checking. It's not ready to run yet. Hasty movements are just as bad as a sudden stop in your motion. In fact, either action will make a deer anxious and the alarm level will raise. Do you know how to keep moving toward the deer and keep it from getting alarmed ? ? Well, most hunters don't pay attention to one of the most fundamental principles in deer hunting.
Deer get comfortable in their surroundings with other curious creatures roaming about. You need to learn how to act like you belong there. When you learn the methods for stalking deer, you will want to stalk deer in the off-season to find out how to approach a buck without sending him off running. Once you learn to stalk deer, you can have your limit of deer every time you enter the field.
There are very important details you have to learn in order to know how to properly stalk a deer. If you don't know all the details, you'll just be making the same mistakes as all the other average hunters in your area. And you'll be driving the big bucks away. That's why you owe it to yourself to check out "Deer Hunting Secrets" here: http://www.hunting-secrets.com/index2tm.html
"How do Bucks Know It's Deer Season"
First of all, deer don't have calendars and they can't read. But, they can tell the signs. Now, skilled hunters enter the fields all year long to scope out places where bucks roam. Average hunters enter the field a few weeks or months before deer season to get an idea about the roaming patterns of the deer in the area.
THIS PART IS CRUCIAL:
Average hunters leave signs all over the fields letting the big bucks know that they've been there and they have plans of coming back...guess how they do that ? It's important to know that added pressure in the fields gives your buck a good heads up for when deer season is coming. The increased pressure in the fields can guarantee you that the bucks will not be where you have been spotting them the day deer season opens.
In fact, they will find a safe haven where they can hide the day deer season opens. Isn't that where you want to be ? But, how do you find this safe haven when all the hunters in the area are adding pressure to your hunting area?
Well, most hunters don't pay attention to one of the most fundamental principles in deer hunting. They don't pay attention to each other. Do you want to learn what to do?
When you learn the methods for stalking deer, you will want to stalk deer in the off-season to find that safe haven they choose when the pressure hits the fields. Once you learn to stalk deer, you can have your limit of deer every time you enter the field. Find out more here: www.hunting-secrets.com/index2tm.html
There are very important details you (we all) have to learn in order to know how to properly stalk a deer. If you don't know all the details, you'll just be making the same mistakes as all the other average hunters in your area. And you'll be driving the big bucks away (Or to your neighbor).
This article is not intended to be the "end-all" scientific guide to the technologies and specifications associated with the headspace of a firearm. It is intended to be a general overview for the beginning collector who like me strives to shoot "safely".
Headspace is the measurement between two points in a rifle's chamber. These points are the boundaries of cartridge movement when a cartridge is chambered. In strict SAAMI terms headspace is the distance from the face of the closed breech of a firearm to the surface in the chamber on which the cartridge case seats.
To start with, most curio & relic mil-surp firearms are at least fifty years old. Most have had thousands of rounds fired through them (if not tens of thousands of rounds) and tolerances have most likely deviated from the original manufacturing specifications. These deviations can include but are not limited to: throat erosion, worn rifling, and headspace issues
In this article we are going to focus on: excessive headspace, insufficient headspace, and measuring headspace with commercial off-the-shelf headspace gauges.
Headspace is measured differently depending on what firearm you are shooting. Most (but not all) twentieth century mil-surp rifles chamber and fire one of two types of metallic centerfire cartridges: rimmed cartridges and rimless cartridges. The table below shows common military calibers and their associated rifles categorized by rimless or rimmed cartridge.
For a rifle that fires a rimmed cartridge the headspace measurement is taken from the face of the bolt to face of the chamber or the maximum allowed space between the bolt face and the face of the chamber.
Drawing shows how headspace is measured in a rifle that shoots rimmed cartridges. The measurement is the distance between the face of the bolt and the top of the rim (face of the chamber) when the bolt is closed.
Figure Legend: Rimmed Cartridges
Part
Part Name
A
Bolt Face
B
Chamber Face
C
Receiver
D
Bolt
E
Cartridge
Rimless Case and Approximate Representation of Datum Line
For a rifle that fires a rimless cartridge this measurement is taken from the face of the bolt to the point on the cartridge's first shoulder that has been determined to be the datum line. The datum line specification for each caliber of cartridge is determined by SAAMI.
Drawing shows how headspace is measured in a rifle that shoots rimless cartridges. The measurement is the distance between the face of the bolt and about the mid point of the cartridge's shoulder (or the point where the front of the cartridge rests on its shoulder - "headspace on shoulder") when the bolt is closed.
Figure Legend: Rimless Cartridges
Part
Part Name
A
Bolt Face
B
Middle of Shoulder (Datum Line)
C
Receiver
D
Bolt
E
Cartridge
Headspace Measurement Standards
There are two different standards for measuring headspace: Military and SAAMI specifications. Military specifications are more lenient in tolerances than the SAAMI specifications. Military firearms are purposely designed to have very lenient specifications so a variance in ammo supplies and adverse weather conditions would not cause the weapon to malfunction. Also military brass is thicker and can tolerate more stretching than a commercial case and because of this they can tolerate excessive headspace better than commercial ammunition, greatly reducing the chance for cases rupturing.
Because most all reloading components, commercial ammunition, and headspace gauges available today are based upon SAAMI standards we will focus on those standards of measurements in this article. The only downside to this is that firearms manufactured for the military are based upon the military specifications. This means that it is possible to deem a firearm unsafe to shoot using SAAMI specification gauges while the firearm may actually still be in military tolerances and somewhat safe to shoot. Still it is a very safe approach to use SAAMI gauges and accept the test outcomes because you would be much less likely to experience unsafe conditions while shooting your firearm.
The great thing about commercially available headspace gauges is that you don't have to know the prescribed distances and tolerances in measuring the headspace of your firearm. You can purchase a set of gauges specific to the caliber and cartridge you are wishing to measure for in your firearm. The gauges are manufactured exact to the SAAMI specifications. These gauges are very accurate and well made with heat treated steel that is actually harder than any of the firearm's metal parts.
Excessive Headspace
Excessive headspace allows movement of the case during firing. This can cause case stretching, case separation (ruptured case), and gas leakage. When the powder is ignited the base of the cartridge can move back while the sides of the case stick to the walls of the chamber. As a result the case can separate and rupture. If the bolt and receiver are not strong enough to contain and vent the blast you can at the very least damage the firearm or at worst you can injure or cause even greater harm to a bystander or yourself. Some mil-surp firearms are designed to handle a problem like case rupture. The ported holes on the side of Mauser bolts are an example of a design to vent off gases that may be inadvertently sent through the bolt to the rear of the firearm. If designs like this do not exist in the firearm you are shooting, then you could be in trouble.
The wayward pressure and gas has got to go somewhere!
Excessive Headspace Animated Simulation
Insufficient Headspace
Insufficient headspace prevents the closing of the bolt and possibly the complete chambering of the cartridge. If the bolt is forced this can cause the bullet to be compressed further into the neck of the cartridge's case. This will lead to over pressure conditions when the cartridge is fired and may cause very similar results as excessive headspace; the case may rupture sending very hot, high pressure gases through the rear of the receiver. Sounds like fun?
MIXING AND MATCHING BRANDS OF HEADSPACE GAUGES - Don't do it!! That's the short answer, here's why. It boils down to tolerance stacking. Each Headspace Gauge manufacturer works within a range specified by SAAMI. Manufacturer "A" may work at the high end of the range while Manufacturer "B's" gauges are in the middle of the tolerance range. Mixing the two could give an inaccurate reading. By sticking with one brand within a particular caliber, you will eliminate a variable. If you have a Forster, .308 GO gauge, get a Forster, .308 NO GO. Use Clymer with Clymer and Manson Precision with Manson Precision, etc. You can use any brand of headspace gauge with any other brand of chambering reamer. e.g. Forster Headspace Gauges with Clymer Reamers, Manson Precision Gauges with JGS Reamers, etc.
Caution: Forcing the cylinder closed with a headspace gauge in a chamber may damage the cylinder, the ejector, the revolver’s frame or the headspace gauge. The gauge is heat treated harder than any of the gun’s components and can break if mistreated.
Article Definitions:
Datum
A reference plane, point or diameter that provides a base for calculations and measurements. Usually the mid point or predefined point on the first shoulder of a cartridge as determined by SAAMI.
Chamber
Opening in the rear of the barrel of a firearm where a cartridge can be inserted. 2) Opposite end of the barrel's muzzle. 3) The part that holds the cartridge at the time of firing. 4) The chamber is at the breech end of the barrel
Headspace
The distance from the face of the closed breech of a firearm to the surface in the chamber on which the cartridge case seats.
Rim
The feature at the base of most cartridge cases in which the extractor engages to pull a fired cartridge from the chamber.
Rimless
A case head type; rimless cases have a rim, but it is the same diameter as the case body so it does not protrude. A centerfire cartridge whose case head is of the same diameter as the body and having a groove turned forward of the head to provide the extraction surface.
Rimmed
A case head type whose rim protrudes beyond the case body. A cartridge having a rimmed or flanged head that is larger in diameter than the body of the case.
SAAMI
The acronym for the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute. The organization that establishes firearms standards in the United States.
Manson headspace gauges and other fine Dave Manson tools can be purchased at their website and at Brownells.
dave Manson Product Information
Rimless Cartridge $26.00 each
.223 Remington
.308 Winchester
6.5 x 55 mm
.30-06 Springfield
7 x 57 mm
7.62 x 39mm
8 x 57 mm
Rimmed Cartridge $24.00 each
7.62 x 54R Russian
Separating the Mosin-Nagant bolt assembly to remove the firing pin and firing pin spring.
Important Safety Notes
Before checking headspace make sure chamber and magazine are empty of cartridges;
Make sure bolt and chamber faces are clean and free from all raised surfaces such as scratches, nicks, burrs, etc.
Checking Headspace
Dave Manson Precision Reamers manufactures excellent headspace gauges (both rimless and rimmed are available). To use the gauges you first have to remove the firing pin and extractor from the bolt. Following the instructions for bolt disassembly for your specific rifle supplied here on Surplusrifle.com this is an easy task to accomplish.
Each Dave Manson gauge is very well made and labeled as to which gauge and caliber they are intended to be used to measure. They offer sets in almost all military calibers and would make a fine addition to your gunsmithing tools that would last well past your life time.
Removing the bolt's extractor.
The reassembled bolt minus the cocking piece, firing pin, firing pin spring, and extractor.
Inserting a Dave Manson Precision "Go" gauge into a 7.62x54r Mosin-Nagant.
A typical set of headspace gauges usually consist of three gauges: a "Go" gauge, "No-Go" gauge, and a "Field" gauge.
"Go" gauge
A "Go" gauge is the gauge that is used to measure minimum headspace. When you place the "Go" gauge in the rifle and close the bolt, the bolt should close and lock easily and completely.
If the bolt does close successfully then this tells you that the firearm has at least sufficient headspace. It may still have excessive headspace, but that is determined by the "No-Go" gauge.
If the bolt will not close on the "Go" gauge then you may not have sufficient headspace. This means you do not have enough headspace to chamber a cartridge properly and can damage the rifle if you force the bolt to close.
There are two potential fixes for this problem (at least there is on a Mosin-Nagant rifle):
Clean the face of the chamber. There may be unseen gunk and dirt at the face of the chamber. I have owned many Mosin-Nagant rifle and carbines that at first were very difficult to chamber a cartridge. Only later did I discover (with the help of a flashlight) that there was gunk and dirt fused to the face of the chamber. Gunk and dirt that is so dark and hardened that at a casual glance, and without the aid of a very direct and bright light, it can be easily overlooked. After it is successfully cleaned and/or removed then it is quite possible you have eliminated the headspace problem and the "Go" gauge check should be repeated. If the same results occur then.....go to the second fix (below).
Take it to a gunsmith. You need to have the rifle looked at by a gunsmith and the rifle will need to be modified or adjusted (possibly a chamber reaming, replace bolt parts, or moving the chamber face of the barrel closer to the bolt.) in some way to compensate for the lack of headspace.
The bolt successfully closes on the "Go" gauge.
Inserting a Dave Manson Precision "No-Go" gauge into a 7.62x54r Mosin-Nagant.
The bolt does not close on the "No-Go" gauge. Note: Do not force the bolt closed.
"No-Go" gauge
A "No-Go" gauge is the gauge that is used to measure the maximum allowed headspace. When you place the "No-Go" gauge in the rifle and close the bolt, the bolt should not close and lock. If the rifle does close on the "No-Go" gauge you may have a problem that needs to be tended to by a gunsmith and may be an unsafe weapon to fire.
"Field" gauge
If the rifle fails the "No-Go" gauge then you should measure using a "Field" gauge. A "Field" gauge is used to measure the largest possible safe headspace dimensions. When you place the "Field" gauge in the rifle and close the bolt, the bolt absolutely should not close and lock. If the rifle does close on the "Field" gauge you have a problem that needs to be tended to by a gunsmith and an unsafe weapon to fire.
If the bolt closes on a "No-Go" gauge but does not close on the "Field" gauge this means you have a rifle that has excessive headspace but is safe to shoot. Basically it will stretch the heck out of brass and good luck trying to reload.
Coin Style "Rimmed" Headspace Gauges
Vendor Supplied Information
They design manufacture and sell direct to our customers "coin style" headspace gauges for military surplus type rifles.
Their gauge is placed directly on the bolt face to check the correct gap between bolt and chamber faces with action closed. The "coin style" design is unique since the gauge does not enter the barrel chamber at all. This eliminates any problem with interference caused by rough surface conditions inside the chamber wall. This gauge checks the direct relationship between bolt face and chamber rim. All gauges are made from tool steel hardened and ground to proper dimensions. There is a relief provided for the extractor and firing pin so no removal of those parts is required. Detailed instructions on proper use and care are included with every order. Gauges are available in Go, No-Go and Field configurations.</i
Tactics For Urban Bowhunting
As cities sprawl ever wider, white-tailed deer adapt to the new lifestyle, and light hunting pressure enables some bucks to reach trophy proportions. Here's how to exploit the situation.
By Eric Bruce
The author downed this 14-pointer in a suburban setting.
Photo courtesy of Eric Bruce.
When most people envision big-game hunting, images of distant, remote wilderness lands come to mind. But whitetail deer can be found almost anywhere.
Almost two-thirds of the United States and Mexico and Canada have healthy whitetail populations. The adaptable ruminants can live virtually anywhere, including urban areas nestled within crowded cities.
Cities and human populations are growing across the South, which translates into more woods being cleared and converted in strip malls and subdivisions. Whitetail habitat is being destroyed in the process, and that squeezes them into increasingly smaller areas. Contiue reading this story:
Yes, it's March, and you're likely battling spring fever by practicing your turkey calling on the way to work every morning. But March is a great time to get out and scout ... whitetails. Yes, whitetails, even if they're not the first thing on your mind right now (OK, we know: They're always on your mind.)
So throw on a good pair of boots and tromp through the mud in search of discarded antlers. Here are the best places to look:
1. Winter Feeding Areas
With so much up-and-down head movements to feed and watch for danger, antlers are especially susceptible to falling off here. Plus, deer numbers are often more concentrated near food sources during the prime "shedding" months of January and February.
2. Bedding Areas
Next to feeding areas, deer spend more time in their bedrooms than anywhere else.
3. Creek/Ditch Crossings
Look for terrain features where a buck is likely to "rattle" his antlers lose, such as jumping to cross a creek, ditch or fence.
4. Major Funnels
Ravines often force deer to funnel through one area, concentrating the places you have to look. The more deer using a given path, the more likely one of those deer was a buck that recently lost his headgear.
9. One-Bead Wonder Grandpa's hand-me-down gun is special, but carry something you can aim effectively.
10. Guide Nearby Think "stage fright" while standing at the men's restroom trough during halftime.
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