Tex, possible spring thickness variance is a good point. That could very well have been what caused the issue.
Lastround, my rifle still doesn't feed quite as smmoth as I'd like but at least now it feeds. I think Brad also mentioned polishing the feed rails/lips(?) to smooth things up. Gonna tinker a little more on this thing.
Ed, curious to hear how it works out.
Just saw this Sam. It worked fine. Thanks again.