I was hoping someone could recommend where I could send a Peruvian Mauser action for hardening that I'm converting to a 338 Mag.
I'm having the action blue printed & my concern is that once everything is squared up & machined I run the risk of excessive head space over a period of time due to the removal of the case hardening in the action & leaving it soft.

I've heard pro's & con's in regards to if it's neccesary to re-hardened the action, I figured if I could find a source that could re-hardened the action it would be added insurance to the integerity of the action & the work I'm having done to it. Plus peace of mind.

I'd really appreciate some help.
Thanks

Blanchard Metal Processing in Salt Lake City, UT. Phone 801-972-5590.

THe gentleman that is doing your work should be able to tell you if the action needs any heat treating or not.

I send them to Jerry Kuhnhausen care of Heritage books labeled "complementary suppositories".

Hey, don't blame me, that's what the retired chief engineer, R.A. Walsh, said to do in "MAUSER 98 & 96", WOLFE PUBLISHING CO., INC.

Ditto Blanchard's. If the 'smith hasn't invested $2,000.00 for a Rockwell tester, he surely won't know how hard the reciever is and won't know whether or not it needs to be rehardned. For that matter, 999 out of 1000 'smiths wouldn't know anything about rehardening a Mauser receiver anyway.

When it is done, it is done and there is never any question about it.

Thanks for the information, much appreciated.
I'll pass it along & have it sent out to Blanchards.

As Nitroman mentioned once it's done there's no question if it's hardened. I figure it's a small price to pay to eliminate a variable & not have to wonder.

Thanks again

I have two Spanish actions (Yes, 98s not 95s or 1916s)that supposedly there is no doubt need hardening. Bought them to build a cast load rifle or two and decided may want to be able to up the pressures to full power loads.

What is the going rate for a heat treat so I can figure whether it is really worth it?

Fred Heinzelman & Sons
201-933-4800
www.heinzelmanht.com

Fred Heinzelman & Sons looks like a shop that handles volume orders, not single or a few rifle actions.
Am I mistaken?

They do large commercial business and small stuff too. Give them a call. Scott Green, www.idahorifleman.com, uses them a lot. Here is a pic of an action they treated and colored for Scott:

Hit-em, Accurate Reloading- Gunsmithing, Post #599632
3-17-04- " 1909 D.W.M. Argentine Mauser questions",
web site given

You need to understand that color case hardening is prettier than but not as strong or deep as the carburizing heat treating that is done for strength.

Two entirely different processes and results.

I fully understand. Heinzelman can do one, the other, or both.

Blanchard's charges $100.00 for a receiver and bolt (what I paid). You'll also need to tell them how hard you want it.

I see no reason you can't color case after hardening, but best to check with the pro's and go with what they recommend.

Mr. B,

What work should be done to an action prior to heat-treating (lug lapping, etc.) and what should wait until after. What level of polish is appropriate/wasted , and so on?

Thank you!

Do ALL the metal work prior and finish to 320 grit. Final polish can come after.