Nitriding bolt on m98

ftothfadd · Feb 20, 2026

So, I am working on my recently acquired FN actioned 9.3x62. It is quickly becoming a money pit, of non recoverable expenses in a passion project, though it is becoming a bit of a drag trying to figure out what kind of stock I should get, how much I want to loose there.
Now, just to make the situation more exciting, I started to think about nitriding the bolt body. Has anybody done that on classical rifle like an m98. I have several nitride bolts on my plastic/carbon rifles but I am not sure having it done on an m98....
I am open to suggestions and even more to reports of personal experiences.
Thank you!

Ontario Hunter · Feb 20, 2026

You have already spent a lot more than expected on this project. I cannot see that this would give you any advantage over simply polishing the bolt. Dad polished the bolt of my Springfield 1903 when he sporterized it in 1962. Looks the same today and that gun has gone through hell over the years. Still bright and shiny.

I similarly polished the bolt, cocking piece, and extractor on my recent Czech 98 Mauser conversion to 404J.

Perhaps if your bolt handle is knurled or checkered, nitriding MIGHT have some advantage over polishing. I know that nitriding hardens the surface but I cannot imagine a rifle in normal use would ever wear out a bolt.

steve white · Feb 20, 2026

Explain the benefits--is nitride so hard it eliminates wear/smooths operation? Every bolt I have ever seen has places where contact has worn off the blueing entirely. Would nitriding resist this wearing off?

K E Johnson · Feb 20, 2026

I had nitriding done on my Dakota 76 in 416 Rigby I bought on the used market. The rifle was custom made by Bill Wiseman and the original metal finish was fairly soft. I also modified the bolt handle with a boring head on my Bridgeport mill to clear the scope I have mounted. That removed finish obviously.
It has a synthetic stock.

I had it and another rifle I was putting together done at the same time. The only problem was the company doing the nitriding lost a part on the Dakota, I believe it was the firing pin. The had pics of parts coming in and going out. The paid tor the lost part.

I would absolutely do it again. I wanted to have my Winchester 70 SS in 375 H&H done as well but the smith that disassembled and assembled them decided he didn’t want to risk having the other company handle parts after the loss.

Legion · Feb 20, 2026

Since you mentioned the stock is also a source of angst, let me offer this, A 9.3x62 on an FN action deserves a classic stock. Think French walnut, oil finish, traditional cheekpiece, and a slim forend. It's a rifle for the ages. Don't put it in plastic. Go wood. You'll thank yourself every time you pick it up.

KJE81 · Feb 20, 2026

The bolt of my custom rifle was silver nitrated by the gunsmith, all metal parts except those that were blued was, if nothing else it is apparently a great protection against rust.

So far I have not seen any drawbacks from the nitrated bolt, it is working very smooth when repeating.

ftothfadd · Feb 20, 2026

Thank you both. KEJ, how "slick" is the bolt with the added lubricity of the nitride finish. Is it noticeable?

ftothfadd · Feb 20, 2026

Legion said:
Since you mentioned the stock is also a source of angst, let me offer this, A 9.3x62 on an FN action deserves a classic stock. Think French walnut, oil finish, traditional cheekpiece, and a slim forend. It's a rifle for the ages. Don't put it in plastic. Go wood. You'll thank yourself every time you pick it up.

No question it will be wood. At the same time I would like to keep the costs reasonable, but I can see it will not happen, i.e., this will be costly one way or another.... If I had more time, I would be willing to get 99% wood stock and finish it, but in this stage of my life unfortunately that is just not possible. So off to find a reasonably priced option. Leaning toward accurate innovations.

Rocked and Loaded · Feb 20, 2026

CBeck said:
I clicked this thinking we were getting a bolt notarized and filed at the courthouse…..

Glad to see it’s just getting nitrided instead of sworn under oath.

I was thinking that it was something similar, along the lines of having a serial number added to the bolt to match the rifle.

Paul K · Feb 20, 2026

ftothfadd said:
It is quickly becoming a money pit, of non recoverable expenses in a passion project, though it is becoming a bit of a drag trying to figure out what kind of stock I should get, how much I want to loose there.

I picked up a Husqvarna 146 in 9.3x57 a couple of months ago just to play around with. Now I have more money in parts than I have in the rifle. Never saw that coming.

Oh well, its been a long cold winter up here and I need something to keep me from going any more SHACK HAPPY than I already am. Go for it !

Paul

Nitriding bolt on m98

ftothfadd

Ontario Hunter

steve white

K E Johnson

Legion

KJE81

ftothfadd

ftothfadd

Rocked and Loaded

Paul K

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