Cerrosafe ?

[shawkpilot]

I bought a customized mauser, with no markings as to caliber. I was told to buy some cerrosafe to pour down the barrel to make a mold of the chamber, thereby allowing me to mic the diameter, revealing the caliber. I bought a block of it, hoping that there would be some directions, of course not! Has anyone used this and could you tell me how it works. Thanks.

[BE Mike]

Give Brownells a call and ask to talk with a tech rep. Brownells - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools. I assume that is where you bought it.

[shawkpilot]

Actually MidwayUSA, but I'm sure either would be willing to help. Thanks.

[jontheturboguy]

Pics of said Mauser. May be able to save you time.

[Jay]

Here's what you do......

Tools........
hacksaw
clear plastic container (to catch metal from saw)
1 shadeless lamp, or 1 trouble light with a 100 watt bulb
1 aluminum pop can

use the hacksaw to cut a 1" cube (or chunk) of the cerrosafe... more is better. It can be re-used

Cut the pop can in half and bend a pouring spout on one side of the bottom half

Put the cerrosafe chunk in the bottom of the pop can, and set the concave bottom of the pop can directly on the light bulb. You'll probably need to tilt the light or the can to make sure it doesn't fall.

Turn on the light, and the cerrosafe will become liquid in about 10 minutes.

While the cerrosafe is melting, get the bore plugged to a point about an inch deeper than your cartridge will seat.

When melted, just pour it in..... I used a wooden dowel to GENTLY tap out the mold......... no sweat !

[shawkpilot]

Thanks! That was exactly what I was looking for. I wasn't sure how I was going to melt it. Although I may have a hard time finding a pop can, will probably subtitute a beer can. (I have plenty of those).

I don't think a pic would help, even if I could figure out how to do it. It is a large ring Mauser with an aftermarket barrel, and a sporterized stock. I bought it cheap, but looks like a quality build.

[shawkpilot]

Did the deed today. It was a 30.06. Went without much of a hitch. Had to do it twice since the first time I poured a little too much in, and it filled up over the neck, and couldn't get it out past the inside lip of the reciever. Remelted it in the barrel with a heat gun. (That's the ticket). Second time, didn't put as much in. Saved the slug, ground the tip to a point, and now I have a silver bullet in my safe.

[BE Mike]

What did you use to plug the bore? BTW, don't forget to unplug it

[shawkpilot]

I took an oily patch and ran it up the barrel, a little too far. Then since I was pretty sure it was a 30.06, I seated a round in the barrel to push the patch just slightly into the barrel. (My first attempt had the patch too far down the barrel, and I couldn't get it out because of the rifling in the barrel.) After the cerrosafe was removed, I checked the barrel for leftovers, and found a small ball of cerro still in the reciever. I picked that out, and thoroughly cleaned the gun. Worked great, although the whole time it was plugging the barrel, I was a nervous wreck thinking about it.