Bore scoping the barrel

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   So I invested in a cheap USB type bore scope; that plug's into my lap-top. It is 5.5mm diameter and has 5 metres of cable. 
This weekend I got to inspect my .303 rifle barrels with it. The focal length is probably around 5 cm from the lens; which has LED lamps around the edge. The light source is adjustable too. 
The first rifle tested was the 1929 BSA; which had a new barrel 5 years ago. I have always carefully cleaned this rifle after every time at the range.
The chamber:

Rifling:

Rifling near muzzle:

The No4Mk1 French Resistance rifle. This was stored for around 70 years before being recommisioned. The barrel looks a bit frosty in these images; but looks perfect when viewed with the naked eye. Probably only had around 100 round's through it since. It will be interesting to see how it changes now that it's getting used.

Finally my No4Mk1/2 Fultons rifle. This one has been well used; but is still in good condition. Some evidence of copper on the rifling. I'll need to clean that off. 
Rifling at about 1/3 of the way up.

Rifling at muzzle end

my daughter sneaked in on the last photo.
I'm pleased with the results for a camera that cost 20 Euro's.
However I think it would be easy to frighten yourself by worrying about what you see with the camera. All of these barrels look very bright and shiny when inspected by eye. All of them shoot well.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Zed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 6460	Post Options Post Reply Quote Zed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Bore scoping the barrel Posted: June 03 2019 at 11:32am
	So I invested in a cheap USB type bore scope; that plug's into my lap-top. It is 5.5mm diameter and has 5 metres of cable. This weekend I got to inspect my .303 rifle barrels with it. The focal length is probably around 5 cm from the lens; which has LED lamps around the edge. The light source is adjustable too. The first rifle tested was the 1929 BSA; which had a new barrel 5 years ago. I have always carefully cleaned this rifle after every time at the range. The chamber: Rifling: Rifling near muzzle: The No4Mk1 French Resistance rifle. This was stored for around 70 years before being recommisioned. The barrel looks a bit frosty in these images; but looks perfect when viewed with the naked eye. Probably only had around 100 round's through it since. It will be interesting to see how it changes now that it's getting used. Finally my No4Mk1/2 Fultons rifle. This one has been well used; but is still in good condition. Some evidence of copper on the rifling. I'll need to clean that off. Rifling at about 1/3 of the way up. Rifling at muzzle end my daughter sneaked in on the last photo. I'm pleased with the results for a camera that cost 20 Euro's. However I think it would be easy to frighten yourself by worrying about what you see with the camera. All of these barrels look very bright and shiny when inspected by eye. All of them shoot well.
	It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

Goosic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8842	Post Options Post Reply Quote Goosic Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 03 2019 at 11:37am
	Nice picture show Zed...

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 03 2019 at 1:42pm
	That's Awesome! Do you have a brand name or model?
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

42rocker Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: October 07 2018 Location: Tampa area,Fla Status: Offline Points: 458	Post Options Post Reply Quote 42rocker Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 03 2019 at 2:54pm
	Really cool pics that really do tell you something. Thanks for sharing that with us I've looked at those type of cameras before for other reasons. Never thought about using one for this. Thanks, now I guess I need to go out and buy one. Later 42rocker

Goosic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8842	Post Options Post Reply Quote Goosic Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 03 2019 at 3:02pm
	eBay has a ton of them. I just bought one for 15.00 USD.

Goosic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8842	Post Options Post Reply Quote Goosic Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 03 2019 at 3:03pm
	You do realize that there is going to be an influx of bore scope pictures here in the near future...

Zed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 6460	Post Options Post Reply Quote Zed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 03 2019 at 11:31pm
	I think the photos are useful to see how a barrel changes over time and to check for fouling. But if the rifle shoot's well; don't be too put off if the surfaces look a bit rough. With the 5 metres of cable, you can use the camera for loads of things. We use one at work for inspection of engine cylinders etc. Also good for showing my daughter why she should brush her teeth! (ooooh nasty) You can shoot video as well.
	It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

Goosic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8842	Post Options Post Reply Quote Goosic Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 04 2019 at 12:30am
	I ordered the 2.5 meter cable. I am really curious as to what the bore and chamber look like on both the faux No4 T and the 7.62mm Enfield.

Bear43 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: August 11 2010 Location: Doland, SD Status: Offline Points: 3500	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bear43 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 04 2019 at 3:45am
	I didn't realize they were so cheap. Hmmmm.... I have a few I wouldn't mind getting a better idea on.

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 04 2019 at 9:32am
	Zed, you can see the copper in the Fulton's No. 4. What do you normally use to clean the bore with? Most bore solvents don't do much to remove the copper, although the thin streaking on the lands doesn't seem to affect accuracy either (in my experience anyway). Lumpy deposits will damage the bullet jacket as it passes over it, which you may be able to detect with a borescope and then use an abrasive (like JB Bore paste) to polish the lands at that location. My Fulton's No. 4 (LB with BSA barrel) had a rough spot, you could feel it grab the patch while cleaning, the JB took care of it. It didn't start out that way, I did that 20+ years ago when I used the Outers "Foul Out" electrolysis cleaning process to remove copper, I left it in too long and it pitted the bore in one area. Otherwise, it was a perfect barrel, right at .3030, ball burnished by Fulton and only had it's test group firing before I shot it. I was so mad at myself, darn near ruined a great barrel.

Zed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 6460	Post Options Post Reply Quote Zed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 04 2019 at 11:58am
	I have a liquid copper removing solvent; but not sure of the maker. Don't have it handy at the moment. I don't use it often; but the Fulton's is probably due for a go. I only leave it in the recommended 5 minutes then swab the bore with patches. I then run boiling water through to ensure no active product is left behind. Then oil the bore and finish with a dry patch. I did notice some small fleck's of the patches left in the bore of the Fulton's rifle. The patches I have for .303 are quite soft but definitely not "lint free"! What I think is interesting with the bore scope is the facility to see the evolution of the bore as it get's used. It will be interesting to see how the resistance rifle barrel changes over the next few hundred rounds.
	It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 04 2019 at 1:12pm
	If you can find it there try the M-Pro-7 copper remover. It ammonia free & water based so its also a corrosive safe cleaner & because of that the bore can be soaked in it for days. I usually do overnight as its the chemicals which are doing less bore harm than the brushes! Then follow up with the bore cleaner. The 2 products are designed to be used together & they really do work. Another water-based, ammonia-free, copper removing cleaner you can leave soaking in is the KG "Big Bore". http://m-pro7.com/ https://shop.kgcoatings.com/kg/product/kg-12-big-bore-cleaner-copper-remover/ A further bonus I didn't originally realize is that your cleaning kit can be cleaned under a running tap of hot water!
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 04 2019 at 5:04pm
	Boretech Eliminator is also water soluble and contains an aqueous oil so can be left in the bore. This stuff dissolves copper very quickly with no smell to it at all. Only downside is that it will lift the finish off wood so you have to protect the furniture. Might be the same active ingredients as MPro7.

A square 10 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 16999	Post Options Post Reply Quote A square 10 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 04 2019 at 6:24pm
	that produced excellent photos ,

Honkytonk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 30 2017 Location: Brandon Mb Status: Offline Points: 5190	Post Options Post Reply Quote Honkytonk Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 04 2019 at 7:20pm
	I'm from the "If you don't see it, it's not there" school. I clean my bores with Hopes solvent and then oil, use a bore light to check to see if it's clean, but otherwise, as old Sgt. Schultz used to say "I see nothing!"

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June 05 2019 at 8:10am
	Sometimes it's best not to worry about those things unless the rifle doesn't group well, that's one possibility (excessive copper fouling in the bore). Hoppes does a fair job in keeping the copper from building up. Soak patch with Hoppes and push thru bore, 20 or so strokes with a nylon bore brush on cleaning rod to loosen the powder fouling (a breach rod guide and solvent ported extension to add more solvent to the brush really helps here), soak 30 mins, clean with dry patches, get the bore well wetted again with Hoppes and let it soak a few hours, then dry patches. Repeat a wet patch/soak time/dry patch a few more times (only need to brush once). You will be surprised how much green comes out on the patches, that's the dissolved copper jacket material. This is my routine cleaning procedure after I shoot (which is usually 80 to 120 rounds). If I feel the copper building up excessively as I push patches thru the bore, I clean with Boretech Eliminator, maybe once a year.