What kind of steel for triggers?

[Bill of the 45th]

Ken, or anyone knowledgeable of steel.  Just about ready to cut out my triggers, got the base plate almost finished (dang that's a lot of saw, and file work)  The question is can I just use mild, Tractor Supply steel, or do I need something that will harden so that my set contact surfaces won't wear out?  Will I need Casinite for this.  My blacksmithing skills are a little weak in this area.
Second question. I finally made enough parts to put my post vise together, but am still missing the jaw spring.  Can I make this out of mild steel, or should I get spring steel for this part, it only has to push the jaws out an apply slight tension to them?  Thanks for any and all advice or harassment. 

Bill

[Stophel]

I make things like this from plain mild steel (suitably case hardened afterwards).  Springs need to be spring steel, 1075, 1095, something like that.

[Bill of the 45th]

Thanks, Chris.  Guess I need to buy some Casenite.  The vise spring just needs to retain its memory, as it just tensions the jaws.   i've got one steel supply house up here, so I 'll see if I can get sa piece of 1/8 inch by 1 1/8 by 20 inches to make that spring, so I can shape it re harden, and temper it.  Since I got it together this morning I've found that at 46" tall it removes a lot of strain when working.  I can stand straight when working  with something in it.  I'm in love, even though I had to cut a 16" square hole in the floor of the shop, and bury a 12" square piece of beam to support the post solidly.  But it was worth it.

Thanks , Bill

[C Wallingford]

Bill--
You can buy 1075 strips in the size you are wanting from Admiral steel in Chicago.
www.admiralsteel.com

[Dphariss]

Set triggers are best made from mild steel and case hardened.
This will give the hardest, slickest surface finish and still be tough enough not to break when whacked on the sear. Drawn back carbon steel will not be as slick.
I like 1070+- for springs but 1095 and 0-1 make great springs too.
Dan