The Accurate Reloading Forums
Claw mounts - should they be hardened after fitting
01 September 2020, 04:23
Heym SR20Claw mounts - should they be hardened after fitting
When fitting claw mounts to existing bases, once you have got a good tight fit should the claws then be hardened, and if so, how?
01 September 2020, 19:15
Duane Wiebe (CG&R)Never saw it done. Would it hurt...probably not. suggest case hardening if you do it
01 September 2020, 19:46
Aaron LittleCouldn’t hurt, I’d say if so it would be a good idea to surface harden the front mount and rear sliding lock.
06 September 2020, 02:03
Vol717I always read that if hardened they would warp. All that fitting lost. I’ve never tried it. I wonder if gas nitriding would harden them without warping.
Quick, Cheap, or Good: Pick Two
06 September 2020, 02:17
dpcdMost I have seen are soft; if you harden them how can you file them to fit because once you solder them to the scope before fitting, then that will soften them and once you fit them, how can you harden them attached to the scope?. It's a circular problem/solution scenario.
06 September 2020, 21:35
Duane Wiebe (CG&R)Screw on bases are available from Recknagel. But ... this is really mostly a non issue..just leave them in he unhardened condition..They will be fine for about 100 years.
For strictly appearance. you might send them to Tunbulls..their color case is quite shallow, but the low temps they use makes very little chance of warp
06 September 2020, 21:53
dpcdRight, speaking of Turmbull; he has a CCH procedure that can color any steel, including 4140, without issue; and it does not make it brittle. I have him do Ruger Blackhawk frames. I never check the hardness.
08 September 2020, 02:34
Heym SR20Thanks, my thoughts were just to leave them unhardened, but wondered what the old professional gunmakers would have done.
09 September 2020, 04:50
Aaron LittleDiamond files will cut...if you seek the trouble.
09 October 2020, 05:53
AtkinsonId think if you wanted to harden them and it sounds like a good idea to prevent wear, then harden them after you finish them for goodness sakes! I suggest color case hardening for looks otherwise just case harden the notches if that can be done.
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com