Throat erosion

[jgh4445]

I'm going to a gunshow this weekend and one of the things on my "look at list" is a 22.250 or a .204 type varmint rig. Should I find one, how do you tell if the throat is OK? I believe the throat errodes and wears out a good bit before the rifling starts showing signs, so I'd like to know what to look for if possible.

 

[igousigloo]

buy a bore scope!

 

[Howard Roark]

The above but that won't tell you how much erosion there has been. You would have to know what the origional distance to the lands were for a given bullet and subtract that from what the measurement is now.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Buy new and or bring some slip fit dummies and calipers. And bring a bore scope if you can.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

at the gun shows i've been to, most all the actions are tied shut with cable ties. is that not the case across the country?

 

[jgh4445]

Neuse, that is the case I do believe, however, I have seen dealers cut the tie for inspection and then put a new one on. Don't know if they have the shows blessing to do that though.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

i've only ever bought new at a gun show and i've never asked to have one cut. maybe next time i should ask.

 

[adelbridge]

There are other signs to how much a gun has been shot and cared for. Looking for bolt face and lug wear and avoid anything that doesnt look mostly new. Look at the crown and if it is blued and the bluing is worn off pass over it. Some guns have been hunted hard and shot little, a beat up stock doesnt indicate how many shots have been fired.

 

[Old Dog Man]

Throat Errosion

It's really hard to tell how much throoat errosion has occure in a used rifle without the proper equipment, and I don't think you will have time to get it before you go. Look into the action and see if the area just past the chamber neck area is dull or frosty looking, generally the sellers will dirty up the bore so it doesn't show as well. Take some kind of cleaning supplies with you, like a boresnake, if the sell won't let you use it PASS HIM BY, he's hiding something. Al

 

[Longrifle2506]

My father always said that a bore scope is the ultimate investment if you want to be able to see the condition of the throat/bore in detail.