Headspace Problems ?

[WildBillCody]

I have a Hakim that was missing a bolt, I just got a new complete bolt, tried to close it on a No-Go gauge, wouldn't close, Great.. Then the Go gauge, still won't close, the bolt locking piece drops down like a FAL, and it goes about halfway with the Go gauge, but not all the way, I ran some live ammo through it with no problems, the bolt locks up, the rounds extract easily without and marks on them, what do you guys think? I remeber something about 8mm guns being rechambered differently so you couldn't shoot the old hot 8mm rounds in it.
Should I try to get a slightly shorter bolt, the guy I bought it from says he has lots of them, so I could send it back and get another if this one didn't work.
I could try some emery cloth and a stone and take a couple of thousands off on the back of the bolt, but I really don't want to do that.

[cimmaronkid]

I would say that as long as the bolt is locking securely then you should be good to go as long as you are not getting any of the signs of excessive headspace. Since it is a new bolt, I imagine it needs to settle in a little. You might even be lucky and have a chamber that was cut to minimum dimensions that could be causing the problem with the military ammo. Also, the ammo could be a hair off in size. Several different things, but if it is locking, I would shoot it. Just my opinion.

[arnaiz]

I have a Hakim that was missing a bolt, I just got a new complete bolt, tried to close it on a No-Go gauge, wouldn't close, Great.. Then the Go gauge, still won't close, the bolt locking piece drops down like a FAL, and it goes about halfway with the Go gauge, but not all the way, I ran some live ammo through it with no problems, the bolt locks up, the rounds extract easily without and marks on them, what do you guys think? I remeber something about 8mm guns being rechambered differently so you couldn't shoot the old hot 8mm rounds in it.
Should I try to get a slightly shorter bolt, the guy I bought it from says he has lots of them, so I could send it back and get another if this one didn't work.
I could try some emery cloth and a stone and take a couple of thousands off on the back of the bolt, but I really don't want to do that.
Use only bolt body, naked it and try again.

[GreenWolf]

Use only bolt body, naked it and try again.
Naked, as in without extractor, firing pin, etc. I wouldn't want your significant other to walk in a see you fondling a rifle, naked.

[XO3319]

If you can't get a new bolt

take it to your gunsmith and have him lap the bolt to headspace properly

[Perro]

clover valve grinding compound on the mating parts
cycle the action with the compound on it
clean
check headspace
still too tight?
more compound, and more cycling till it does close