Is it possible you guys are talking about two different things? Lever lock up is affected by the flat surface on the lever and the corresponding surface in the belly of the receiver. I don't this this contact effects headspace. Whereas the surface the surface of the ball of the lever and the bolt (where they meet) directly effects how high the bolt is lifted or put into battery which could/will effect headspace as well as the trigger of the rifle. So I believe both of you are right but the topics/thought processes are wrong. To correctly put the 99 into proper headspace as well as function is a very time consuming project. Maybe the factory took some shortcuts that worked fine for the 30-30 or 303 class of calibers but not so good for the winchester 308 class calibers?
