nitriding M98 bolt

[ftothfadd]

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]

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.

 

[K E Johnson]

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.