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The Best 5.56 Headspace Gauge Set of 2023 – Reviewed and Top Rated
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- 5.56 NATO CHAMBER HEADSPACE GAGE: The proper use of Headspace Gages is the most reliable way to test rifle chamber length. The 5.56 NATO maximum chambering requires a slightly longer headspace than the commercial 223 cal. Rem.
- GO/MINIMUM LENGTH: Corresponds to the minimum chamber dimensions. If a rifle closes on a GO gage, the chamber will accept ammunition that is made to SAAMI maximum specifications. The GO gage is essential for checking a newly-reamed chamber in order to ensure a tight, accurate, and safe chamber that will accept SAAMI maximum ammo. NATO Minimum rifle chamber gages check to see that the rifle will accept the longest (headspace dimension) NATO ammunition cases that are currently manufactured.
- MAXIMUM LENGTH: The Forster NATO Maximum rifle chamber gage checks to see that the rifle does not have excessive headspace, which could lead to dangerous pressure problems. The NATO Maximum Headspace Gage measures 1.6455"
- PRECISION MACHINED: Manufactured from top-quality, hardened steel and precision ground to ANSI and SAAMI tolerances. Headspace tolerance ground to a very exacting ±.00015. Each Headspace Gage thoroughly inspected with NIST-certified measurement tools to ensure the highest quality product.
- MEASURING MEANINGFUL HEADSPACE: Properly speaking, and for safety purposes, one measures “headspace” as the difference between the length of a standard cartridge, as represented by a gage, and the gun’s actual chamber length , when the head of the cartridge is flush against the bolt face.
- NATOMAX gage allows you to check for excessive headspace
- Manufactured from top-quality, hardened steel and precision ground
- Forster Headspace Gauges precision-machined from hardened steel
- Checks NATO chambers
- 223 REMINGTON: Used to check headspace of 223 Remington and 6mm x 45
- RIMLESS CARTRIDGE HEADSPACE: The proper use of Headspace Gages is the most reliable way to test rifle chamber length. Headspace in a rimless cartridge is the distance between the bolt face and a datum line, determined by SAAMI, where the front of the cartridge rests on its shoulder when the bolt is closed.
- GO: Corresponds to the minimum chamber dimensions. If a rifle closes on a GO gage, the chamber will accept ammunition that is made to SAAMI maximum specifications. The GO gage is essential for checking a newly-reamed chamber in order to ensure a tight, accurate, and safe chamber that will accept SAAMI maximum ammo.
- NO-GO: Corresponds to the maximum headspace we recommend for gunsmiths’ chambering new bolt-action rifles. This is not a SAAMI-maximum measurement. If a rifle closes on a NO-GO Gauge, it may still be within SAAMI specifications, or it may have excessive headspace. To determine if there is excessive headspace, the chamber should then be checked with a FIELD Gauge. The NO-GO Gauge is a valuable tool for gunsmiths’ reaming new chambers, in order to ensure tight and accurate headspace
- MEASURING MEANINGFUL HEADSPACE: Properly speaking, and for safety purposes, one measures “headspace” as the difference between the length of a standard cartridge, as represented by a Gauge, and the gun’s actual chamber length , when the head of the cartridge is flush against the bolt face.
- 223 REMINGTON: Used to check headspace of 223 Remington and 6mm x 45
- RIMLESS CARTRIDGE HEADSPACE: The proper use of Headspace Gages is the most reliable way to test rifle chamber length. Headspace in a rimless cartridge is the distance between the bolt face and a datum line, determined by SAAMI, where the front of the cartridge rests on its shoulder when the bolt is closed.
- GO: Corresponds to the minimum chamber dimensions. If a rifle closes on a GO gage, the chamber will accept ammunition that is made to SAAMI maximum specifications. The GO gage is essential for checking a newly-reamed chamber in order to ensure a tight, accurate, and safe chamber that will accept SAAMI maximum ammo.
- NO-GO: Corresponds to the maximum headspace we recommend for gunsmiths’ chambering new bolt-action rifles. This is not a SAAMI-maximum measurement. If a rifle closes on a NO-GO Gauge, it may still be within SAAMI specifications, or it may have excessive headspace. To determine if there is excessive headspace, the chamber should then be checked with a FIELD Gauge. The NO-GO Gauge is a valuable tool for gunsmiths’ reaming new chambers, in order to ensure tight and accurate headspace
- FIELD: FIELD Gauges are slightly shorter than the SAAMI maximum in order to give a small safety margin. If a rifle closes on a FIELD Gauge, its chamber is dangerously close to, or longer than, SAAMI-specified maximum chamber size. If chamber headspace is excessive, the gun should be taken out of service until it has been inspected and repaired by a competent gunsmith.
- GO: Corresponds to the minimum chamber dimensions.
- NO-GO: Corresponds to the maximum recommended headspace for chambering new bolt-action rifles
- FIELD: Corresponds to the longest safe headspace.
Last update on 2025-07-10 / Affiliate links / Product Titles, Images, Descriptions from Amazon Product Advertising API
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FAQ:
Q: Do you need a headspace gage for 5.56 NATO?
A: Forster Products NATO Minimum rifle chamber gages check to see that the rifle will accept the longest (headspace dimension) NATO ammunition cases that are currently manufactured. Similarly, the 5.56 NATO caliber requires a slightly longer headspace than the commercial .223 caliber, which are commonly thought to be identical.
Q: How many headspace gages are in a set?
A: Each set contains 11 gages, clearly marked in .001″ increments from shortest SAAMI length to longest SAAMI length. Manufactured from top-quality, hardened steel and precision ground to ANSI and SAAMI tolerances. Headspace tolerance ground to a very exacting ±.00015″.
Q: Do you need a headspace gage to check a chamber?
A: To determine if there is excessive headspace, the chamber should then be checked with a FIELD gage. The NO-GO gage is a valuable tool for gunsmiths’ reaming new chambers, in order to ensure tight and accurate headspace.
Q: Why do you need a headspace gauge on a rifle?
A: The proper use of Headspace Gages is the most reliable way to test the length of a rifle chamber. Excessive headspace may lead to gas leakage around the case or head separation and the sudden release of high pressure gas. Insufficient or excessively tight headspace may cause malfunctions, such as failure to lock.