I just pick up a rifle where the scope rings were epoxied to the rifle action. One ring is still locked on, the other is off, leaving a exopy residue. What is the best way to remove the epoxy residue, as well as the ring locked to the action, without hurting the action.

Usually a hair dryer will provide enough heat to soften the epoxy, but will NOT provide enough heat to harm the action. Once the scope bases are removed, you can apply a little heat again and use steel wool to remove the remaining epoxy and its residue. 4-X wool will not harm the blued finish if you are at all careful, but it may take a lot of elbow work and a lot of steel wool. (The 4-X stuff becomes easily clogged.)

Wear thin gloves when handling the heated bases/epoxy.

soldering iron, heat gun, alum or brass brushes... any steel WILL scratch stuff

Most epoxies break loose at about 400 F which will not harm the steel.

What happen to Acatone and Methyl Ethel Ketone? Both will remove epoxy witout harming anything but your brain and liver.

Longshot

i prefer propane, or map, or even micro torch.. acetone and methyl ethel death all of their purposes.. and are important, but NOT for this

To properly remove epoxy or anything else which may be stuck on metal

that you wish to preserve the finish on as suggested Heat carefully heat gun hair drier

is the preferred method over open flame torches and the like .

After heating have a Dbl or tripled up cloth with wax on it paste wax or Hi Temp Mold release wax

works the best . Simply rub the area and off comes the residue without harm too the Gun metals finish .

Acetone and Lacquer Mek thinners have their places . IMO this isn't one of those places !.