Brand new M305 rigs at the clinic need to shot and lots before we tighten them up, that’s speaking “in an ideal world”. The mating surfaces will get to know each other and I can SEE the contact point in the bolt lug engagement
I get a kick out of you M305 M1A M14 lovers who refer to said rifle as a “civilian” rig when “checking for headspace”.
Remember that this is a BATTLE rifle, read “bolt interchange ability” ; and hence generous headspace designed, built in, at the factory. I’ve dealt with clients who want / insist/ desire a tight match grade chamber right from the dealer shelf. Good.....then buy yourself a Tikka T3 Target or Compact or buy yerself an SPS Varmint in 308 or an Accuracy International AT 308 like I have from Wolverine Supplies. You can always pony up the $2100 for a New M1A and I will bet your chamber will be 1.632” because I read that hang tag.
One could always have an expert like M14 Medic assemble you a Krieger barreled (Nordic Marksman Or Hirsch Precision or Mystic Precision) LRB or M1A for a few $1000 AND you will now have a 1.630” chamber just like my 700 Magpul 308 but cheaper if you buy the 700...
Now if you cannot afford the sticker shock of said builds with a tight chamber, then consider building an IDF Parts kit on a Norinco receiver. We have done many of those in the past several years and I’ve discovered that I will achieve a predictably snug chamber of 6 thou or 1.630” + 0.006” = 1.636” ( I was offered a job to teach Maths when I finished my year of Electrical Trade School)
So checking headspace (with my Forrester civilian gauges) is as useful as discussing Science / evidence based Gun Control Policies with the Lieberal Dzcksuckers. The generous chamber of Norinco 15 thou (1.645”) will swallow ANY civilian gauge and you will walk away with an impression that yer dick will fall off.
Now if you shoot with one of them super cheap MIM bolts from the PRC Kommunists, THEN your dick WILL fall off!
So just get out and shoot! Hahahahaha
Cheers, Barney