Counterbored???

[BigGunsMoreFun]

I have recently been looking at adding to my C&R and Antique rifle collection. In several advertisements, I have come across what I thought were decent deals for the money but most of these deals have a disclaimer at the bottom of the advertisement that says "The muzzle on this rifle has been counter-bored."

Can somebody tell me what that means? I suspect that the bore was not so good on these rifles so someone possibly rebored them. If that is the case, does this not make the bore larger hence affecting accuracy because the bore is a little too large for the bullet?

Joe

 

[Shear_stress]

"Counterboring" a hole means to drill a blind (not through) large diameter hole concentric to the original hole. It is used as a way to allow, for example, screw heads to sink flush to a surface. I wonder if what you're referring to is actually someone talking about redoing a damaged muzzle crown, rather than the entire bore.

 

[cracked butt]

Counterboring" a hole means to drill a blind (not through) large diameter hole concentric to the original hole. It is used as a way to allow, for example, screw heads to sink flush to a surface. I wonder if what you're referring to is actually someone talking about redoing a damaged muzzle crown, rather than the entire bore.

That's exactly what it is. The muzzle is drilled out usually to a depth of a 1/2" or more to get to undamaged rifling. The rifling at the muzzles on may surplus rifles gets worn smooth by improper and/or over cleaning. Government arsenals can fix this by counterboring- it would have the same effect as cutting the barrel off and recrowning, but still retains the ability to mount a bayonet or use the standard mounted front sight.

I have a few counterbored rifles, but my opinion on them is to avoid them altogether and buy the best specimen that you can find. Sometimes they shoot well, sometimes they don't, but all other things being equal, counterbored guns are of lesser value than rifles with pristine bores.