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How to test your headspace correctly and cure a headspace problem without a lathe...

ok when one gets a rifle especially a gi one, you should ask the shop owner to test the rifle on the spot  with a no-go gauge.it takes about 1 minutes time to save you many headaches of having the barrel pulled and set back correct etc etc.gauges can be bought for under 20$ in most cases thru brownells or a  gunsmithing supplies outfit,remove the
extractor from the bolt and then the magazine and floor plate from the rifle first.now set the gauge in the bolt face muzzle straight up and insert the bolt.this way you  get the correct reading,some gauges have a cutout for this so ya dont have to take the extractor  off.using thumb and finger gently attempt to close the bolt.when you feel resistance stop cold.if you feel  resistance on the no go gauge before its fully closed you are OK.take the gauge out gently, never load  from the magazine or get rough with it,this is your best freind now in helping you determine safety  factor #1.also make sure the chamber is very clean and void of oil before you start the process. there are 3 gauges with which to test for head space. first gauge is a "go" gauge, which is usually used  during a rebarrel process to make sure there is enough chamber space to close the bolt on a chambered round. You dont need it unless you do alot of rebarreling. A bolt should close all the way on a "go" gage.the second one is a "no-go", which is the standard gage.you really need in most cases. A bolt should not  close all the way on a "no-go" gage no matter what.Even if it only stops at the very bottom of the bolt throw,it means  your all set to go shoot.. third is a "field" gauge, which mainly is used on military rifles to identify pieces that are past "no-go"  specs but still ok to shoot if in battlefield situation. A bolt should not close on a "field" gage.if it stops
even at the bottom of the throw,you can shoot it but beware of it carefully.IF your rifle closes on a no go what you can do to save a hefty chunk of change is order up a few stripped bolts and then do the no-go test with them, all bolts vary in size ever so slightly and this is a cheaper alternative to curing the headspace problem,with the enfields in 303 they had removeable bolt heads that could be replaced to solve the headspace problem rated from 1 to 3 in sizes.too bad the springfields werent built that way too.but as i have said changing the 8$ bolt housing is cheaper than a costly lathe and set back job.you may be lukky and hit it on the first try with a new bolt or may go thru 3-5 untill you find one that falls in limits but the good thing is you very well can sell them or send the ones you dont use back.