Force should not be used in conjunction with a headspace gauge.
Is the bolt stripped? The ejector plunger can affect the feel. Are the op. rod and recoil spring in place? This could also affect feel.
.308 or 7.62x51 gauges?
Try the gauges again with the bolt and rifle stripped. Light pressure only. If you can feel the gauge, that gauge is OK.
If the rifle freely accepts the No Go, and you can feel the Field, the rifle may be OK, with those gauges. If the bolt closes freely without resistance on the Field, it is on the loose side.
If the rifle does have significantly excessive headspace, one solution is to prepare handloads to compensate.
A USGI bolt might fix things.
Selective assembly with other Norinco bolts might be a solution.
How was the headspace with the original barrel?
Too bad you didn't start with a short chambered barrel; then the headspace could have been set exactly when the chamber was finish reamed.
One remedy would be to sell the barrel and get a short chambered one. That might be the easiest solution.