Bcg and barrel question!!

[POPE197]

If the rifle has less than 60 rounds thru it would it be ok to swap barrels to a new barrel without getting a new bcg or checking headspace? I'm wanting a 24in stainless varmint style barrel over the 18in pencils barrel. Thanks!

 

[MichiganScott]

New barrel and new bolt is probably OK. Either used bolt or used barrell with new bolt or new barrel and you should have the headspace checked. You will almost always have problems with a used bolt going into a used barrel.

Pay a smith to check it. The carrier has zero effect on headspace.

 

[rojodiablo]

If the rifle has less than 60 rounds thru it would it be ok to swap barrels to a new barrel without getting a new bcg or checking headspace? I'm wanting a 24in stainless varmint style barrel over the 18in pencils barrel. Thanks!

For whatever reason, the 308AR's need headspace gauging whenever the barrel and BCG are a split set. Always seems there turns out to be a small issue, and the developed pressures are higher than the 556, so it affects function a bot more. Many times, you wind up within spec, but definitely not always.

By contrast, the 556 seem to be very close by and large, and there is almost never an issue between say a bolt and a DPMS or Spikes barrel, etc.