Looking at the photos posted, that ring gap looks quite a bit larger than .002". If the gap is as jagged as it looks in the photo(not sure what I'm seeing there), then maybe a .002" feeler blade fits, but the real gap is larger.

Ring gap only needs to be big enough for the hottest ring temperature and coolest cylinder temperature it will experience. The problem is unless you are shooting for a small gap and actually looking for signs of the gap being too small, it makes no sense to try to get an extra 50RPM this way.

Interesting thread.