Hi Cordite, looks like you found a good rifle. I like the simplicity of that design, however I prefer the S&L extractor.

I have had brass stretch on rear locking rifles. A Remm788, the first one in 308 I had and no problem The last one I found brass to be stretching/growing. Both were loaded with loads that were just off or on max for the rifle. I just found it strange that brass did stretch on one and not the other. Head space was within limits for both.