My Corona...Finally

[ssgross]

The last bit of copper was quite stubborn. Bore looks very nice - couple of spots of etching from just laying around forever. You can see this at the muzzle.
Headspace check out nice and tight. The bolt lugs had very little wear, hardly any finish had been rubbed off. So either they are not engaging, or this rifle really hasn't been fired all that much. Using a tiny bit of 800grit lapping compound, and turning the bolt in just twice showed 80%+ engagement on both lugs!
BTW, an old 30-06 case cut in half, with an extra garand trigger spring inside makes the perfect tool for even pressure when lapping lugs.
The bubba that decided to sporterize an otherwise new or minty surplus rifle likely didn't care for the way it shot. I can't imagine it performing well in this setup - that band was clamped tight against the barrel with a brass shim underneath.

Wouldn't ya know the brass shim has a name and street address on it (no city). Time to do some sleuthing.

EDIT: well, that was easy. Age 76 in Big Fork, Montana. Phone number is in the book. Maybe I'll give him a call? Nah...I'll write a letter - on the matching typewriter