Bore rating

[Lee Davis]

I have a problem, and perhaps you will understand. I often buy rifles and pistols that are pre 1940, or so... as old as 1873's. Most of the time the bore is not mentioned (as on Gunbroker), and so, the first thing I want to know about is the condition of the bore. I am often frustrated with the answers that I get... for it seems that so many just don't want to be completely honest. I hear things like "near bright, but dark", "strong rifling with shallow cavities",
"80%" (what does that mean?), or the worst... "dark, but very shootable". Seems to me that virtually any rifle is "Very shootable". I am wondering whether "Moderately Frosted" or "Needs Cleaning" is the better rating. I have yet to see a firearm listed that has no mention of the bore in the listing, when it is mirror bright. Of course it is a case of "Buyer Beware", but it seems that the bore is the one part that can be fudged upon, since a picture can't be taken.

 

[tark]

Welcome to the monkey house, Lee.

You have a VERY valid point, and it is frustrating trying to figure out what the condition of a bore really is, going on an optimistic description given by someone who wants to get rid of the gun.

Then, there is the difference between shooting lead bullets and jacketed ones. The latter are much more tolerant of roughness and pits. I have an 1898 Krag with a bore that is so ugly it would make a Hyena vomit. The gun shoots two inch groups at a hundred yards exactly to point of aim.

"Dark" means pitted, usually from corrosive ammo. Very dark but shootable means you can push a bullet through the bore without blowing up the gun, but don't expect any kind of accuracy. Near brite, but dark means light to moderate pitting. An 80% bore probably means the same thing. If the bore is in great shape it is usually referred to as "brite" or "clean" or any number of good sounding things. A "perfect" bore should be exactly that. If the gun is for hunting, I would not want anything else but that.

A pitted bore can give astonishing accuracy as the Krag demonstrates. When a clean bore rusts, pits form which make the barrel look dark when you look down it. It only takes light pitting to do this. With jacketed bullets, this really doesn't affect accuracy that much. If you have a gun with a pitted bore that doesn't shoot well, go to a lighter weight bullet, if possible. If you handload, cut the charge a little. This will sometimes result in acceptable accuracy.

Pitted bores in handguns that shoot lead bullets are not a good thing. The pits will rip lead from the bullet as it passes. Accuracy will fall off after a few shots. Sometimes a harder alloy will help. So will switching to gas check bullets.

Hope this helps.

 

[tark]

Forgot to answer one of your points. I would probably take "Moderately Frosted" "over Needs Cleaning." Moderately frosted means moderately pitted and in most guns that is not a major problem. It means the owner has taken the time to clean the bore and determine its condition.

Needs cleaning means that some lazy bum was too lazy to clean a dirty bore, and too lazy to take proper care of the gun. What's under that dirt? How old is the gun? Needs cleaning on a thirty year old 22 rifle is much different than "Needs cleaning" on a very old gun in a black powder caliber.

The best way to ensure you are satisfied with the gun is to buy from someone who offers an inspection period, which is usually three days. If they refuse to do that, there is probably a reason....