I recently attempted to cast a rifle chamber using cerrosafe. I thought I followed the instructions carefully, but now the casting metal is solid in the chamber; I have already ruined a cleaning rod trying to drive it out. Any ideas or help in general would be appreciated.

Heat it up and pour it out.

It melts at a low temperature so it can be remelted.

quote:

Originally posted by coyhunter: I have already ruined a cleaning rod trying to drive it out. Any ideas or help in general would be appreciated.

Remember to take the barreled action out of the stock before you heat it up.

Hair dryer works well.
Regards, Joe

It may be stuck due to a ring in the chamber or some other defect causing the cast to sieze.

Thanks for all the help. I used a heat gun and melted out the cerrosafe very carefully, as the rifle is old. Thanks again.

If it is an old rifle, the possibility that the chamber is corroded somewhat would be another reason the cast stuck. I only wait long enough for the casting to "frost over" and then I tap it out.

It is not at all uncommon for Cerrosafe casts to stick a bit in chambers if the user does not read and follow the instructions. (I am not saying you didn't follow them, just posting general info for others...)

Anyway, Cerrosafe expands as it cools, which is why many instructions tell you to remove the casting within 30 seconds after pouring it. It also will not give accurate dimensions if one waits longer than the brief period stated in the instructions before measuring it. Most sets of instructions also give a formula for measuring it and reducing the readings the appropriate mount if one waits too long to measure.

Also, it is a lot easier to use Cerrosafe if one doesn't try to cast a whole chamber at a time. a Tablespoonful of it is usually adequate for getting a casting of a throat, neck, and shoulder, for instance.

I agree with AC above. A throat cast can also be down by what is called the "pound" method where a special prepared case has a pure lead cylinder just a hair under chambering dimensions and a rod with flat tip is placed down the barrel after this special round is loaded and given a few taps with a hammer. This expands the pure lead cylinder giving a very good "cast" of the throat, very end of the neck chamber area, the leade, and some of the bore and rifling.

If I remember the instructions correctly, Cerrosafe 1st contracts, then expands as it cools. (kinda like water @ 39*F)

It is during this 1st contraction stage that the casting is removed.

If one leaves it in too long, it locks into the chamber.

When I screwed up thus, I stuck the barreled action into a pot of boiling water.

Cerrosafe melts @ around 190*F. 212*F boiling water drops it right into gthe bottom of the pan while you go about doing other thngs.

Come back 10 minutes later,remove the action & dry it EW/a towel. When the watyer temperature cools back down, dump the water into the sink & your piece of cerrosafe can be recycled.