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I have a bunch of astral claws models and shoulder pads/rhino icons.

However,

I prefer the red scorpions paint scheme.

What are your thoughts on having a red scorpions paint scheme on an astral claws army? with astral claws iconography, characters, and rules? What would your reactions be on the game table, in tournaments etc (assuming FW rules are acceptable in the tourney)?

In my experience almost no one in a competitive environment cares what color scheme you use, as long as the models are armed correctly and WYSIWYG.

If you use a color scheme and iconography which exactly match one codex with the rules from another, it can potentially be confusing if the unit selection doesn't make it immediately obvious, though. So, for example, if you paint an army in perfect Ultramarines colors but use the Dark Angels rules, it's much less confusing if you do an all-Terminator/Deathwing army (representing Ultras First Company at Macragge, for example), then if you field a mix of terminators, tacticals, and bikes using the Dark Angels rules. Both the DA and SM codices have access to mixed terminator/tactical/bike lists, so it's not as immediately obvious what's going on as it is if you use all-terminators, which is not even an option in a Codex: Space Marines army list, so is a nice clear clue to the opponent that a different codex is in use.

In the event that you ARE using a counts-as force which might be a bit more confusing, it's definitely your obligation to make sure the weapons are super-clear, and to make which codex and unit rules you're using extra clear and obvious to your opponent at the beginning of and during the game. For example, if using that mixed Ultras-as-Dark Angels army I mentioned above, with a model using Beliel's rules, even though you've named him "Ultramarines Terminator Captain Cassandorius" to match the fluff from Macragge (disclaimer: name made up), referring to him as "Belial" during the game can be helpful to your opponent to ensure he does not become confused.

Why not just sell the astral claws parts and get some red scorpions? Then they are even more red scorpion-sy

Many people probably wouldn't even know the difference between the two. Since neither has rules outside of forgeworld land (minus Huron being in CSM) I think you have little to no issue.

I agree with blood lance though, if you like the red scorpions why not just make your army red scorpions?

I use my Ultramarines as Dark Angels- (usually Deathwing) and White Scars all the time. Mostly because I refuse to paint the next new "power army" when I have plenty of marines I can use that are painted to a good standard and already have the same weapons. Right now I am in the process of figuring out what to add to my "ultramarine" army so that I have the new DA stuff. Never had a complaint. With Marines its pretty easy to do that switch and or Eldar. It tends to get more confusing when people do something like necrons as tyranids conversions but even than as long as they have the right weapons people rarely complain.

Thanks everyone, perhaps ill start painting red scorpions and add the logos at the end.