It is always fun to poke at each other on the forum. When I said what does that mean, it was in reference to your statement. Which was:"In the case of the encore, the gap is part of the headspace, so the fired brass from the encore will not necessarily be longer". It was this quote which I was calling incorrect, only because every encore has: 1. a different gap. 2. not all cartridges headspace off the shoulder. 3. Even some headspace off the belt.

This gap is the main reason why sizing die adjustment is so important. And why most expert's recommend adjusted full length sizing for Encore's, over neck sizing. You need to know the gap to do the proper die adjusment. I am pretty sure the shoulder is bumping the chamber on this fellow's rifle-hence the hard closing bolt.Tom.