Frosty bore???

[Fastleo]

I keep seeing this in adds for guns for sale, what does this mean? I personally take it as it wasn’t properly taken care of and it’s been damaged by rust. Or does frost clean up?

 

[Pete G]

Means slightly rusted

 

[deermanok]

I have a rifle that I got new some years ago. Over time, the bore has gotten that frosty gray color.
I've always cleaned it good and oiled it. It looks good when wet but always turns gray when dry.
If I pushed a patch down the barrel right now, it would come out clean.
It shoots fine though.

 

[William Lincoln]

Depends, at times when I cleaned off the frosting crud there was corrosive pitting.
Other times, no rust, just a clean bore. It is a sign of failure to maintain the bore,
whether there is damage or not.

 

[nhmoose]

Pitted.

Auction line very good bore slightly frosted. really means pits and lots together so it looks frosted.

 

[Fastleo]

In my opinion, people use that phrase to describe different levels of corrosion. If it’s used in the description, I stay away. I think it’s a misused statement and it leads to dissatisfied buyers.

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

Frosty bore? Then there's guys that will snap that sucker up at a "good price" and shoot the hell out of it, with NO ISSUES.

 

[rich pierce]

Depends on what you’ll use the gun for. Match shooting? Deer at 100 yards? Avoid frosty bores.

 

[johnfrommd]

I keep seeing this in adds for guns for sale, what does this mean? I personally take it as it wasn’t properly taken care of and it’s been damaged by rust. Or does frost clean up?

Frosty usually means light surface rust. It is called "Frosty" because it won't look shiny when a light is shown on it. More often than not, it will clean up just by regular shooting and does not affect the accuracy of the firearm.

 

[toot]

Means slightly rusted

is that like only being a little bit pregenant?

Means slightly rusted

is that like only being a little bit pregnant?

 

[toot]

sorry another senior moment, they come more and more.

 

[toot]

I think when you remove frosting from the barrel the rifling goes with it?

 

[johnfrommd]

I think when you remove frosting from the barrel the rifling goes with it?

No, frosting is not like deep pitting.

 

[Eric Krewson]

After buying a Teslong bore scope and seeing how much pitting can hide in a rifle bore that sill has a standard bore light appearance of being shiny, I would be very skeptical of any rifle that has a "frosty" bore".

 

[Rudyard]

I once shot a 451 rifle in 46 below zero in the shade ! I couldn't blow down the bore for risk of sticking too it . I didn't notice It being frosty. But I soon noticed Me getting Very frosty as I could barely handle the rifle even with mitts .I fired 8 shots then scurried back into a mates near by heated car . Still got the rifle still got the target. this was a Sunday 1971 Mackenzie BC.

I recall W. E. Metford observed one nights rusting does more damage than a years shooting . Old neglect dosn't mean nessesarily poor shooting ,As positivley 'Smokey" barrels can deliver good shooting but you wouldn't choose them that way if you can avoid it.
Rudyard

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

Got a couple that are a "bit" frosty. One new, fired, cleaned, put away for a long period on time. Didn't notice the "frost" till I pulled them out for oiling. Time to send them "down the road" to someone that will fire them as they should be.

 

[1950DAVE]

Where I live we have frosty at a little above 32F , some of you guys have a greater degree of frost than North AL.
Frosty is ambiguous and I think most sellers use it for that reason. Caveat emptor.
Dave

 

[dave951]

You guys stress too much over a bit of bore rust. If you could shoot my sewer pipe on a stick you'd change your mind. Recovered patches look like they were pooped out by Cujo's chew toy but it will put shot after shot into 2in at 50yd.

Another possible cause of a "frosty" bore is leading. Hard to make a definitive judgement without a cleaning rod or endoscope.

 

[hanshi]

I think "frosty" is one of those "to who's eyes" statements.

 

[nhmoose]

To me as a former dealer a frosty bore rates as fair. I rated hard on guns descriptions I was selling. Come backs suck and loses money on the item.

Saying a bore is good or fine that is frosted or pitted is fraud to me. So much for ethics.

If ones here are satisfied calling, them good cause they still shoot good don't make them a good bore just at best a usable bore