Have spoken to couple sources regarding heat treating and they need to know the type of material/steel the receiver and bolt are made of?? Anyone out there that could advise on that point or perhaps other heat treating sources also?? Thanks,

martin

this thread will help
A PM to starmetal might help you with info!

I just received two pre 64 Winchester model 70 bolts and receivers back from heat treating at Blanchard's. They both came back straight, true, and looking good, and in less than 2 weeks from my door to them and back to my door. The cost was $75.00 for the first action and each additional part was $20.00 each, for a grand total of $125.00 including return shipping.

The bolts and receivers are 4140 steel; Winchesters specs are 41-50 Rockwell C with the bolts being Rockwell 44C and receivers Rockwell 46C nominal.

For a revealing view of the strength of a normal pre-64 receiver, please see Ackley's Handbook. At least some of these receivers appear to be entirely too brittle since it was obvious that this one shattered rather than bulging first. This is also the opinion expressed by some of my smithing instructors at Trinidad. I further direct your attention to the comparison of the 1903 Springfield receivers; the low-number ones shattered while the high-number ones simply bulged. I believe there are pictures in Hatcher's Notebook.

Please note that I'm not necessarily trying to start any controversy but rather simply pointing out some VERY interesting info. I figure that anyone interested enough to read Ackley and Hatcher is also informed enough to draw their own conclusions (G).
Regards, Joe

I can remember gunsmith friends from years long past saying that the model 54 Winchesters were not much better than M1903 Springfields as far as metallurgy and heat treatment. I never heard a bad word about M70's; I have never read Ackley or Hatcher, other than excerpts. If I ever find those books for a reasonable price, I will get them! I have wanted Ackleys book for Shooters and Reloaders vol 1 and 2 or some similar title and also Hatcher's notebook. They usually go for the price of a gun though....priorities, ya know?

ETA: These were both fire damaged. The one was purchased from starmetal's post on this site that was tested @ Rockwell 9C; the other was given to me locally and it was not pretested by me as to hardness. It appeared to not have gotten very hot, but had some pitting on the right rear of the bridge at the stockline due to water damage and remaining exposed for a time.