Quote Originally Posted by Thunderbox View Post
I suppose what I am saying is that - due to the geometry of the Enfield action with its short, open-top bolt way - degree of boltway wear is quite hard to assess without gauges and thus just from looking at bolt lateral and vertical movement. I.e. a fairly new rifle can still give the impression of a loose bolt fit, yet a very worn rifle with a replacement bolt can give a nice snug fit. I base my own entirely unscientific observations on looking at rifles that are apparently unworn - e.g. mint Lithgows, all-matching Britishicon rifles still on their original barrels, etc.
I know what you mean, I guess I just don't want to be too complacent about what I put together. And as I said, where does one draw the line? I'll see if I've got a spare bolt body that doesn't jump, will headspace and bear up on the recoil lugs evenly, and take a spare(correctly fitting) bolthead with out excessive overturn, and if I do, I'll renumber it and build on it.