ORIGINAL: stubblejumper
Where you are wrong here is that the "RIFLE" is not shipped.The barrel is shipped.
Can the encore not be purchased as a whole rifle where you live.I have seen them advertised as such,In that case the "RIFLE" is indeed shipped.
Obviously the gap is not the headspace. But the gap will change the headspace. Do you bother to read the whole post and try to comprehend.
Obviously you did not comprehend part of my previous post.The headspace is determined by the combination of the depth of the chamber made by the chamber reamer,and by the width of the gap.Just as gaps vary,so does the depth that the chamber reamer is bored into the barrel.A wider gap will not result in a larger headspace if the chambering reamer is not bored as deeply into the barrel.A barrel can produce a lesser headspace even if it has a larger gap.Barrels will be installed on an action and then checked for headspace before being sold as a complete rifle.All other barrels will be fitted to an action to be tested for the proper headspace,before being sold as barrels only.
I will admit that some completed rifle's are shipped. However IMO I would guess that the majority of barrel's sold are without actions when they leave the factory. When you order a custom barrel you do not ship the receiver, the manufacturer merely chambers the cartridge to SAAMI specs. or to the buyer's spec's(tight normally).
I would be willing to bet that at TC the barrels are fitted to the receiver's at the end of production. And I would also bet that barrels are not adjusted when then are mated to the receiver. They can not be changed. The only way it can be adjusted is tofill and then redrill the hinge pin(I guess you could also grind off part of the barrel). The only option is to scrap the receiver or the barrel. It is not like a bolt where the barrel can be twisted in a bit more or less, or where the bolt face can be adjusted. I do not know how to adjust a bolt face-but I am assuming it can be done. Can it?
I do not believe the chamber reamer is adjusted at the TC factory. IMO all the barrels are standard. I do believe the custom manufacturers adjust the depth. I do not know if you have read what Mike Bellm has written about headspace and the Encore, but IMO it is a very good read. Tom.