How much thought do you put into a rifle's bore

[heronfish]

Just wondering . . .
When you're dealing with hunting rifles, do you put much thought into it?
Myself I try to make sure the crown is in decent condition and no one has worn the last few inches with a cleaning rod.
After that, as long as it shoots acceptable, I don't bother my mind too much. Minor pitting doesn't bother me.

 

[GMC403]

I've owned rifles with horrible bores that shot way better than rifles with a visually prisine bore.

If it shoots great, don't over think it. Just shoot and enjoy!

 

[c.t.smith]

If it shoots well. Then its got a good bore. but I like calibers that dont tend to wear on barrels

 

[chuck nelson]

The bottom line is, the perfect bore is the bore that does exactly what you want it to. They don't exist. Every one is a compromise. But if it is serviceable it's a good one. Whatever that means.

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

If it shoots well. Then its got a good bore. but I like calibers that dont tend to wear on barrels

I agree, plus I shoot mostly cast to ensure they don't wear out.

 

[Kevan]

The bottom line is, the perfect bore is the bore that does exactly what you want it to. They don't exist. Every one is a compromise. But if it is serviceable it's a good one. Whatever that means.

This is good logic, rifles with less than perfect bores have put a lot of meat in my freezers and on the table for me since I began hunting.
If I remember correctly my first Whitetail buck taken in 1962 SW of Saskatoon fell to a '92 Winchester 44-40 with barely visible rifling... one round, dead deer.
Would I try that today with the same rifle... not a chance.
I was a kid then and knew how that old gun shot so I felt confident, it worked but I only tried it once because I couldn't afford a better hunting rifle in those days.
Time changes a lot of things..

 

[hometownhero]

I agree, plus I shoot mostly cast to ensure they don't wear out.

If it wears out just put on another one. No idea why people seem scared to wear out a barrel.

 

[Dogleg]

I factor the price of a new barrel into a used rifle, because I assume that there's a reason its for sale.If I can't save that much I'll buy it new. If I don't need the barrel I win. If I need it, I'm not really losing because I now have a used rifle that interested me with a custom barrel for not a lot over the price of a new one. I may or may not have to eat the installation charge.

I've had great looking barrels that didn't shoot and rough barrels that did, and the other way around. There isn't a lot of rhyme or reason to it, so I guess if it shoots, doesn't walk as it warms up and gets somewhere near published velocities its a good one.

 

[Rob]

I factor the price of a new barrel into a used rifle, because I assume that there's a reason its for sale.

You might be shortchanging yourself there. I'd say that there are a lot of other reasons people sell rifles, aside from the bore condition. Lots and lots of reasons. Some guys just change their minds about what they want to shoot or collect, sometimes stocks don't fit they way they want them to, sometimes recoil is an issue, sometimes they just want to thin the herd a bit, sometimes the wood isn't as nice as they want, sometimes the wood is too nice, sometimes a gun has proven itself to be an unlucky hunter for that particular owner, sometimes they just get bored with a particular rifle and decide to turn it into cash or trade it for a different one, sometimes they just need some quick cash...and there are a lot more reasons...actually I'd say that most reasons for someone selling a rifle have nothing to do with the barrel/bore.

 

[j_06]

A passed down 30-06 of mines bore looks like an orange peel inside. Shoots three into an 1-1/2" @ 100 all day, good enough for me. As long as it isn't damaged or so worn that your just throwing a hotdog down a hallway.

 

[Brian46]

Just wondering . . .
When you're dealing with hunting rifles, do you put much thought into it?
Myself I try to make sure the crown is in decent condition and no one has worn the last few inches with a cleaning rod.
After that, as long as it shoots acceptable, I don't bother my mind too much. Minor pitting doesn't bother me.

I rarely buy used and take care of my stuff, so I'm not sure why I would concern myself with the quality of the bore......barrels are replaceable as well if it is something that I have no choice but used.

I will not buy any rifle that has been permanently modified, way too many self proclaimed experts doing very questionable work.

 

[Dogleg]

You might be shortchanging yourself there. I'd say that there are a lot of other reasons people sell rifles, aside from the bore condition. Lots and lots of reasons. Some guys just change their minds about what they want to shoot or collect, sometimes stocks don't fit they way they want them to, sometimes recoil is an issue, sometimes they just want to thin the herd a bit, sometimes the wood isn't as nice as they want, sometimes the wood is too nice, sometimes a gun has proven itself to be an unlucky hunter for that particular owner, sometimes they just get bored with a particular rifle and decide to turn it into cash or trade it for a different one, sometimes they just need some quick cash...and there are a lot more reasons...actually I'd say that most reasons for someone selling a rifle have nothing to do with the barrel/bore.

If there's nothing wrong with it then I win, don't I? The difference is I got it at my price or they can keep it. Thousands of other ones out there.

 

[Dogleg]

Double, double

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

If it wears out just put on another one. No idea why people seem scared to wear out a barrel.

Done it a few times to change up calibers, but on a rifle I wish to keep as is, I'd just as soon not fry the bugger out. Not scared, just thrifty.

 

[Leeper]

My hunting rifles get cleaned well and put away. When I take one out, it gets wiped out, sighted-in, and carried. I don't obsess over what the bore is or is not. When I put the barrel on it was close enough to perfect to make me happy and I try to keep it that way. I agree with Chuck in that any barrel which shoots as you want it to is a good barrel. If it does not shoot as you want it to, it is not a good barrel regardless of how nice it looks.
Many years ago, a friend had a 375 H&H which shot exceptionally well. Then, one evening after cleaning it, he noticed there were what appeared to be tiny dents in the bore at six o'clock. The rifle still shot exceptionally well but he couldn't stand the thought of that flawed barrel so I put on a new one. The rifle went from being exceptional to being acceptable but it sure looked nice! The moral of the story? If it works, leave it alone and don't worry about it.

 

[Lonesome Donkey]

Just wondering . . .
When you're dealing with hunting rifles, do you put much thought into it?
Myself I try to make sure the crown is in decent condition and no one has worn the last few inches with a cleaning rod.
After that, as long as it shoots acceptable, I don't bother my mind too much. Minor pitting doesn't bother me.

IMHO the bore is everything if the rifle passes muster externally.
A pitted or damaged bore may and may not give reasonable accuracy at even 100 yards.
It's sort of rolling the dice by buying it to find out.
If you plan to just use iron sights at 100 yards maximum, for basic deer and moose type hunting, then perhaps you can excuse some pitting. A 5" group from an old Mosin will do fine.
On the other hand, if your standard is at least 2 MOA at 100 yards, with a scope, then you want an excellent bore, which will hopefully have an unworn throat as well.
Bore pitting might indicate that there is chamber pitting as well, which would be a fatal flaw.

 

[Dogleg]

If someone took a gander at the 300 RUM barrel I pulled off yesterday, they wouldn't be able to think about anything else for awhile. The best way to describe the first 5-6 inches of rifling is "gone".

 

[Eagleye]

If someone took a gander at the 300 RUM barrel I pulled off yesterday, they wouldn't be able to think about anything else for awhile. The best way to describe the first 5-6 inches of rifling is "gone".

I rebarrelled a 220 Swift with the same situation....no rifling for 4-5" from the chamber.
Interesting part was, this rifle would still hold 1.25 moa without any problem.
But, originally it was a ½ moa rifle, so I knew she was going away when groups started to open.
Now, I simply put my borescope down the barrel and take a look. Many times, minor pits and small
blemishes have little effect on accuracy unless they are right at the muzzle.
Dave.

 

[kamlooky]

I treat a rifle bore like I would a coiled cobra.
Make sure the action is cleared then proceed tuh stick yer nose in frunt of it.
Wartch the sellers face when inspecting said firearm.
Might be holding a poker face.

 

[Purple shoulder]

My hunting rifles get cleaned well and put away. When I take one out, it gets wiped out, sighted-in, and carried. I don't obsess over what the bore is or is not. When I put the barrel on it was close enough to perfect to make me happy and I try to keep it that way. I agree with Chuck in that any barrel which shoots as you want it to is a good barrel. If it does not shoot as you want it to, it is not a good barrel regardless of how nice it looks.
Many years ago, a friend had a 375 H&H which shot exceptionally well. Then, one evening after cleaning it, he noticed there were what appeared to be tiny dents in the bore at six o'clock. The rifle still shot exceptionally well but he couldn't stand the thought of that flawed barrel so I put on a new one. The rifle went from being exceptional to being acceptable but it sure looked nice! The moral of the story? If it works, leave it alone and don't worry about it.

I've heard that any kind of fluid (oil, water, etc.) in the bore when fired can cause this.