Syntax,
Good point from TR63. The .303 Britishis very forgiving regarding loose headspace due to the length of its solid head. Not surprising that you have not had any problems with the .303. The 7.62 Nato and 7.62 x54R are much less forgiving.
I put a 7.62 SA barrel on my properly headspaced .303 and it checked out for 7.62 Nato. No problems firing.
The easiest way to fix loose HS is to get or make a longer Locking shoulder and grind back as necessary to get the correct headspace. If I remember correctly the standard length is .812". The LS should be hardened.
Brp has longer ones you can use to to get the correct headspace . You can make a new one, TIG weld 4140 on the face of the old one and grind back, slot the LS and shim the back. You can check your Locking shoulder but I think the grinding angle is 25 deg.
30: Bren Locking Shoulder (specify size 2x or 3x) - BRP CORP
Joe