shredder, I don't have any headspace gauges, I used the tape method. I know you can read all you want about how horrible that method is but in this situation, with the control I have, I believe it's as valid enough. When I put the components together I had to remove some off the barrel face and a little off the left locking lug to get the bolt to close with very slight resistance on three different batches of REM 8mm ammo. All of these loads I fired today chambered the same way, a little resistance. I Took a dental tool and ran it against the locking lug buttresses and cannot feel a ridge. We'll see, some more high end torture and I'll unscrew the barrel. Also, when you look at these fired cases one would say that it has a tight chamber; there is no undo bulging towards the head of the case. You look at them and say, "that looks perfect". The action had no set back when it started out.
I do wish I had more tools to make this a more fruitful effort. ANYONE OUT THERE WANT TO LOAN SOME HEADSPACE GAUGES ? I'll pay shipping.