I picked up a beautiful 1909 Argentine action that had been rechambered to 30.06. I planned to build a 10.75x68 with it. I recently removed the barrel and was disappointed to find the lugs set back. Does anyone have experience with resurfacing and heat treating? Is it possible or worth it? I hate to scrap such a beautiful receiver.

Yes very possible; I have done it; you have to set up the receiver and cut out the locking lug surfaces so they are flat. Then send it to be re-heat treated.
Then re-fit your safety because you have changed the position of the bolt to cocking piece relationship. And mill off the safety lug some because it now will touch the receiver.
So, you have just put at least $250 into a receiver you can replace. Your call.

Blanchard's Heat Treating in SLC, UT seems to be only firm left that re case hardens Mausers.
https://www.bmproc.com/

They only accept from an FFL, I believe the current cost is $175 for 1 receiver or a dozen.

And there is a risk of warpage.
Search on this forum and you will find members that got back warped and ruined receivers.
I recall member Kabluewy was one.

Worth it?
You decide.

Here is a thread on the subject.
http://forums.accuratereloadin...=419108456#419108456

Thanks, very much appreciated.

I have had at least a dozen receiver processed by Blanchards without any warpage. They know how to do it.
But that is the easy part; machining the receiver is less, easy.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
I have had at least a dozen receiver processed by Blanchards without any warpage. They know how to do it.

Maybe they have fine tuned process, because the AR link I provided above tells the tales of warped Mauser receivers back in 2011.

I stopped by Pacmet about 5 years ago and spoke to their metallurgist who said some receivers warp and they are not sure why.

I think getting a receiver with setback, or getting a warped receiver back from the HTers is all just luck of the draw.

I have always wondered why, instead of resurfacing the lugs and then doing all of that work to refit the safety, etc., you couldn't just resurface to a known depth and then insert an extremely hard piece of steel to replace what you surfaced off. Or in other words, rebuild the lugs. I would think there would be a way to tack the pieces on there so they wouldn't move. There are some very talented men on here who I bet could do it.

There are receivers that use a hardened insert, stellite, sandwiched between the receiver and barrel.

A Browning as I recall and Kleinguenther Instafire, made by Voere.

Either way, a lot of work.

Yes you could insert hardened lug abutments into your receiver; now you have $500 invested in it. At what point do you just get another one?
As for re-heat treatment; I have confidence in it, based on 12 receivers. Luck? 12 in a row is not luck. Maybe the others just had bad luck and I tend to have good luck. Anyway, I will continue to do it when I think necessary.

quote:

you have $500 invested in it

Seems a little stiff to me.

Compared to what? Getting your auto's water pump replaced for $600? Paying a roofing contractor $1,000 to replace a 10'x10' section of asphalt shingles? I work occasionally in the Nuclear Power industry as a valve technician. Valve seats are frequently made of welded-in Stellite. I can tell you that it can cost up to $25K to re-weld and machine a Stellite valve seat. Far cheaper than replacing a $150K valve. In this case far cheaper to replace the receiver. But if you really want to keep the receiver due to rarity, markings, and/or quality it might be worth it. A good case hardening is plenty, Stellite is kind of overkill. Sounds like OP wants to build a custom. So what's another $250 to have it machined and case hardened?

quote:

Originally posted by lindy2:

quote:

you have $500 invested in it

Seems a little stiff to me.

Can’t really see the point in recutting the seats, some lapping and re-heat should fix it.
Scanos, could you post some pics of the setback? Cheers.