Gentlemen, have you considered re-heat treating a soft action? I for one dont mind a soft one as after I have it re-heat treated (carburized) its as good as new. Good and tough just like the originals were intended. A Rockwell 35 .010-.015 thick case exterior with a softer core makes a good strong action indeed. There is a company here in Salt Lake City, Utah "Industrial Heat Treat", that does the job for 75.00$ Ive made some outsatanding rifles from soft Turkish Mausers. Send 'em the receiver and bolt all stripped with what ever machine work already done to it ( trued, lapped, drilled etc.) and they turn out just dandy. Paul Mauser knew what he was doing with Case hardening the soft steels available at the time. Just follow his most excellent example. But make sure who ever does your heat treating knows what they are doing. It can be ruined just as well as it can be re-newed. (warpage)