I have a practically brand new BCM 5.56 barrel with maybe 60rds of PMC .223 shot through it.
Now, would I be safe to buy a brand new BCM BCG and be good with the headspace?
youll be good.
Yes…
I would have it checked…cheap insurance.
Probably; but with 50,000 pounds bottled up in there I would check it out for peace of mind. Headspace gauges aren’t that expensive or hard to use, and a good gunsmith ought to be able to do it while you wait. I have extra bolts and BCGs for the carbines in the family and made the investment. As it turned out everything was right on the money, though.
As the barrel extension and the bolt wear headspace will increase. A new bolt should decrease headspace.
But, it never hurts to check.
If headspace changes enough to worry about after 60 rounds total fired, do you check headspace deltas on your own weapons every 100 rounds? 200 rounds? Do you retire your barrels at the 1,000 round point?
He’s thinking about changing the bolt.
I know.