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Now for the age old and tired question: "What gauges are you using?". If they're SAAMI with a Field Reject of .070 or .071, they're useless. The ONLY gauges that are pertinent to checking Lee Enfield rifles are the .064 GO and .074 NO GO. That's MoD specifications and the only ones that count. I just wish one of the companies that make gauges here in the USA would manufacture them.
It's a .074 no-go/field. I've been reading through this forum and some others all night on issues with exceeding the max. I do reload, although I use pretty conservative loads. Case separation is probably my biggest concern, but the safety factor is up there too. I do use Prvi brass which seems to have a pretty good reputation for surviving excessive headspace.
You might talk to Ross collectors. I seem to remember this mark on Indian Ross rifles. Years ago and wasn't a big deal then.
Is it a real headspace gauge or a coin gauge from Okie?
Not sure on using a shim is a good idea I think the bolt heads on the No.4 went up in 3 thou increments 0,1, 2, 3 sizes plenty of the first 3 but the 3's are a bit light on besides its not just a case of putting a new bolt head on and passing the .074 besides the bolt head no matter what the stamping may have been an inbetweener and lathed down to fit this being done out of service of course.
Others will probably chime in with things to look for in regards to the head space issue could be the hard facing has worn where the bolt recoil lugs go into the receiver among other things anyway they know more than I do on the matter and will no doubt attempt to guide you to getting it back to spec.
Or if you so inclined get it to BDL and Brian will see what gives with the rifle. but I for one would get the rifle back to spec before going to the range.
I would chime in but there's been so much written on this subject by me and others - and repeated a zillion times again and again that I won't bother beyond saying read all the articles...............
I don't understand..."spare bolt"?
I've been reading and did email Brian. He was very helpful. Shim probably wasn't the right word, it was just some extra material between the bolt head face and the gauge to determine how much excess space there was - no intention of attempting to fire it that way. ...that would be very bad. Thanks again, all.
To the spare bolt comment - the receiver was purchased as just a receiver and barrel, nothing else. I've been collecting parts to try to restore the rifle back to working order.