Just assembled the 6.5 creedmoor rifle and the GO gauge doesn't fit.

[Garet Jax]

Hello all,

I am using a:

1) Criterion 28" Bull pre-shouldered barrel
2) Zermatt Origin Action
3) KRG Xray chassis
4) TriggerTech trigger

I bought 1,2 and 4 new from NSS and bought 3 used. I also bought the Zermatt armorer's tool from NSS to allow for assembly. I was able to torque it down to ~75 / lbs without issue. However, when I try to load the GO gauge, the bolt won't lock. Are there things I should be looking for to fix or is this generally a show stopper?

Thanks.

 

[smdub]

Showstopper IMO. Something isn't made right or those parts aren't compatible. Short headspacing can be fixed but if they are supposed to work together and are new, then I'd be inclined to get something replaced. Only 1&2 should have any factor on headspacing. You sure the Criterion doesn't come short chambered so you can make it 'perfect' with your action? I'm not familiar w/ that receiver or specific assembly process, but are headspacing shims or anything ever used? You could measure the bolt face depth if you have a reference to compare it to what it should be.

 

[Garet Jax]

Showstopper IMO. Something isn't made right or those parts aren't compatible. Short headspacing can be fixed but if they are supposed to work together and are new, then I'd be inclined to get something replaced. Only 1&2 should have any factor on headspacing. You sure the Criterion doesn't come short chambered so you can make it 'perfect' with your action? I'm not familiar w/ that receiver or specific assembly process, but are headspacing shims or anything ever used? You could measure the bolt face depth if you have a reference to compare it to what it should be.

Thanks. My next step was to remove the chassis and the trigger and check again. I have already had a case where one screw was too long and it interfered with the bolt. Could be something like that happening again.

 

[Garet Jax]

Just disassembled it to the barrel, action and trigger. The GO gauge still doesn't fit. Will be calling NSS. Thanks.

 

[ST19AG_WGreymon]

Just curious, have you tried a live round?

 

[Garet Jax]

Just curious, have you tried a live round?

No sir.

 

[Garet Jax]

I think I figured it out. The GO gauge (and the NOGO gauge for that matter) was on top of the extractor. Once I slid it into the bolt head under the extractor, the bolt was able to close. Going to try loading a live round from a magazine once I get one, but it seems to be ok for now.

 

[trickg]

I think I figured it out. The GO gauge (and the NOGO gauge for that matter) was on top of the extractor. Once I slid it into the bolt head under the extractor, the bolt was able to close. Going to try loading a live round from a magazine once I get one, but it seems to be ok for now.

That was one of the things they made sure that I knew - they told me that I needed to insure that the gauges were under the extractor because it's a controlled feed bolt, so if you put in the gauge and try to close the bolt, you can actually bugger up the extractor.

I'm glad you got it figured out and that you didn't mess up your extractor.

We did somewhat different builds but with similar parts. Mine is also an Origin action, but I did mine with the Savage style barrel nut on a Shilen barrel, so it was as easy as closing the bolt on the GO gauge, and screwing the barrel in until I felt it just barely touch. Then I locked the barrel nut down with 50 lb ft of torque, checked it again, then attempted to run in the NO-GO gauge. After that it was set.

 

[Garet Jax]

I'm glad you got it figured out and that you didn't mess up your extractor.

Thanks and I have no idea if I did or didn't. I will check it out soon.

 

[trickg]

Thanks and I have no idea if I did or didn't. I will check it out soon.

I doubt if you did - although the gauges are harder than a brass cartridge, you'd have to really have to push hard on the bolt handle trying to get it to seat to mess it up the extractor. Even if you did, I think you can probably replace it easily enough - small price to pay for a lifetime's worth of wisdom for it.

 

[4g64loser]

You didn't hurt anything unless you beat on it/slammed the bolt back and forth with the hardened gauge in there.

 

[Garet Jax]

You didn't hurt anything unless you beat on it/slammed the bolt back and forth with the hardened gauge in there.

I doubt if you did - although the gauges are harder than a brass cartridge, you'd have to really have to push hard on the bolt handle trying to get it to seat to mess it up the extractor. Even if you did, I think you can probably replace it easily enough - small price to pay for a lifetime's worth of wisdom for it.

Yeah - I never "force" anything (unless I've tried everything else I can think of) so it's unlikely I did damage it. When I spoke to James from NSS, he implied that just trying to load the gauge outside the extractor was enough to ruin the extractor so I am leaving it as a possibility.

 

[trickg]

Yeah - I never "force" anything (unless I've tried everything else I can think of) so it's unlikely I did damage it. When I spoke to James from NSS, he implied that just trying to load the gauge outside the extractor was enough to ruin the extractor so I am leaving it as a possibility.

It happened to me once when I was doing my build and my extractor doesn't seem to be worse for wear. The rifle also shoots pretty well. This is a target from playing battleship at 100 yards three other day.

 

[Garet Jax]

It happened to me once when I was doing my build and my extractor doesn't seem to be worse for wear. The rifle also shoots pretty well. This is a target from playing battleship at 100 yards three other day.

View attachment 397157

Nice Shooting!

 

[4g64loser]

Yeah - I never "force" anything (unless I've tried everything else I can think of) so it's unlikely I did damage it. When I spoke to James from NSS, he implied that just trying to load the gauge outside the extractor was enough to ruin the extractor so I am leaving it as a possibility.

It's a theoretical possibility. I'd call it low order probability. Examine the extractor plate for dings, dents, and deflection. Since you didn't force it, I'd put money down that it's just fine. James has to say that "just in case" because the gauges are very hard. The extractor will deflect before the gauge does.