How to Chamber a Mauser Short Chambered Barrel

Larry Potterfield • January 20, 2017

Short chambered barrels are cut to near-final depth, requiring only finish reaming and head spacing.

To start, clamp the barreled action in a vise and clean the chamber. You're going to need a finishing reamer and a set of headspace gauges for this job.

Needed materials
Needed materials

Insert the go gauge into the chamber and note the bolt won't close. To lengthen the chamber, simply oil up the reamer, place it into the chamber, and turn it clockwise using a T-handle.

Turn the T-handle clockwise
Turn the T-handle clockwise

Remove the reamer frequently and brush away the chips. Now, clean the chamber again and insert the go gauge. If the chamber is long enough, the bolt will close.

Bolt should completely close with a go gauge
Bolt should completely close with a go gauge

A no-go gauge is used to check for excessive headspace, so the bolt shouldn't close on a no-go gauge.

Bolt should be unable to fully close with a no-go gauge
Bolt should be unable to fully close with a no-go gauge

Finish reaming and head spacing: You've got to have the right tools.

-- Larry Potterfield