I see surface grinding mentioned here alot, but have no idea what it means. Is it just grinding all the markings off the receiver?

TIA,
Rob

I dont know in what text you read about "surface grinding". But words or terms can be misused. From a mchinist perspective, surface grinding usually denotes a flat surface ground on a surface grinder. Some actions have flat bottoms like the winchester, and thus guys will start with a FLAT and SQUARE surface to start all the other machining operations, like drilling , and tapping and turning and threading. Another type of grinding is cylindrical( round), and usually means the parts turns while it is ground and the part becomes round and to a close tolerance usually...not many actions are round (like the model 700 remington) thus cant be ground cylindrically...the other type grinding can be with a hand held power tool like a dremel or a Foredome tool, and basically the "surface" of the part is ground for various reason...get rid of a bad finnish, recontour the shape...remove odd shapes from the action, or as you suggest polish...ect ect...bob

Hoss 101---

Surface grinding is a way to make the outside of an action exactly in line with the centerline.

HERE are a couple of pictures that shows the set-up.

The necessary tools are expensive, heavy, and not needed *much* but when needed nothing else will do.

It's usually a hundred dollar job on most actions.

Nice link JB, thanks. I've been thinking on what to do with a couple of Ruger M77 and two Rem's. One Rem has 0.004" runout in the front ring diameter and 0.005" from end to end. The threads are also out quite a bit, cut up and right as you look at the end.

What about the serial number? Leave the area alone, take off a couple of thou. What do you think?

I will single point the threads then cut a barrel and recoil lug to fit, but wanted to straighten up the outside also. This action will end up being a training device and sleaving it is not out of the question.

Sleaving will render the serial number question moot, but how do you satisfy the BATF if they come calling in the middle of the night just after you have ground off the serial number and before a sleave is installed?

Thanks

I use a vibra pen to mark the serial number on the bottom or somewhere that won't be ground.

After grinding, polishing, barreling, stocking and just before bluing the serial number is engraved on the action above the wood.