Hey all, I think it's finally good from a function standpoint.

Replacing my clearly 1896 follower and carrier with an 1898 model fixed the majority of the feed problems.  I still sometimes would have the last round hanging up just below where the bolt could grab it.  Looking more closely at where the anchor for the s&k sticks in the cutoff opening (I had filled the gap where there was no longer a cutoff blank when the cutoff was in the "off" position), the front of the anchor, although slightly rounded, sticks into the path of the cartridge rim slightly.  Just a little work with a small file to create more of an feathered angle on the profiting part of that rod/pin allowed the rim to easily slide all up to the top and be picked up by the bolt.

Once this snow melts away it'll be off to the range.