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Some of the folks that post here have inspected hundreds or thousands of rifles. I have looked at about 6.
Does the bore of a pristine Model 1894 barrel produced in the early 1900’s appear the same with a bore light as a pristine barrel produced in the 1950’s?
Thanks
Mike
Yes, it should… “pristine” is the same regardless of the date of manufacture.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Mike-
With the bore scope technology available today I’d hesitate to call a bore “pristine” after only a bore light examination, at least with my eyes. A good bore scope is a real eye opener. I haven’t checked nearly as many bores as Bert and I’ve been fooled by a few when only using a bore light. On some guns a great bore may be a warning if the rest of the gun shows significant wear. My first 1892 is a good example; great bore in a 60% (on a good day) rifle. If you’ll check the breech end of the barrel you may be able to tell I’ve had a liner put in it after a bore camera told me why this old 32-20 would barely stay on paper at 50 yards.
Mike
Thanks to Mike and Bert for the replies. I totally agree about bore light vs bore scope. One day I will certainly need to purchase a bore scope.
I should probably have worded my question differently. Pristine is just the term I used for relative comparison.
I am interested in the materials and methods used by Winchester as time passed and did the evolution of manufacturing change the visual appearance of barrel bores.
To better summarize my inquiry, for example, did a brand new, from the factory, 1894 nickel steel barrel bore appear the same visually in 1910 as a factory new proof steel barrel bore made in 1959?
It seems Bert says yes, the same.
As always my thanks. Learn so much here.
Mike
TXGunNut said
Mike-With the bore scope technology available today I’d hesitate to call a bore “pristine” after only a bore light examination, at least with my eyes. A good bore scope is a real eye opener. I haven’t checked nearly as many bores as Bert and I’ve been fooled by a few when only using a bore light. On some guns a great bore may be a warning if the rest of the gun shows significant wear. My first 1892 is a good example; great bore in a 60% (on a good day) rifle. If you’ll check the breech end of the barrel you may be able to tell I’ve had a liner put in it after a bore camera told me why this old 32-20 would barely stay on paper at 50 yards.
Mike
Good points Mike. A bore light doesn’t come close to the view you get from a bore scope. I’ve viewed a couple hundred different bores and didn’t realize what is missed until I borrowed a friends bore scope.
RickC
November 7, 2015
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A word of caution about bore scopes; a bore that looks like moon craters quite often shoots fairly well, especially with a bullet it likes.
Mike
All a barrel needs to shoot well is rifling and a good bullet. I carry a piece of white card about the size of a credit card. I place it in the receiver and aim it at a light source. It is in my wallet so I most always have it and it doesn’t put off all of the glare that a light would. An old friend used the tip of his knife to do the same thing.
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