Inspecting the bore

[Quigley]

I hear you guys talk about inspecting the bore for rust and stuff. My question, how the heck do you see down in there? :idunno: I know you have to have some kind of bore light. Where can I buy one? I tried with a flashlight, and can only see about 2 inches down. I guess shooting in-lines for so long has got me spoiled. Just pop out the breechplug and look through the bore. :thumbsup:

 

[mpriester]

i use a small mag lite at an angle and can see very well clear to the base of the breech plug.

 

[mykeal]

Two good options:

Go to Midway USA and do a search for 'bore light'. There will be several results. I use the CVA Trophy Light and have for years. Very good light for inspecting a bore - take it with me to every auction and gun show.

The only disadvantage to the CVA Trophy Light is it's too big for anything below .45 cal. For smaller cals the best thing I've found is the second option:

The Lindy Thill Bobber Light replacement battery. Yep, some guys use fishing bobbers that have lights in them; the replacement light makes a great small caliber bore light. Cabela's sell's them, along with places like Fisherman's Warehouse.

 

[nkbj]

Seems like someone would have a flexible fiber optic light strand that could be run down a barrel or maybe in the other end with the nipple pulled. Or flash hole liner removed.
There's probably one for sale out there somewhere.

 

[Semisane]

Get one of these for $10 at O'Reilly's Auto Parts.

 

[paulvallandigham]

I own one of these. I want to point out those little holes on the side of the shaft, just behind the end where you can see light in the picture.

Light comes out these holes, SIDEWAYS, and lights up the sides of a bore very well. You can use this to better see rust, pits, and bulges, or damage to lands. The shaft is less than 1/4" in diameter, so its perfect for inspecting almost all MUZZLELOADERS.[There are some .22 cal. MLer pistols being used now that are too small in diameter for this light to fit into the bore.]

As to people who shoot zip guns, we don't talk about them, here. Some are easily taken apart for cleaning and inspection; others are not.

 

[Norinco]

I personally just shine my flashlight (super tacticool $90 Surefire) down the barrel while looking.

I have heard of some people polishing an undersized bullet and dropping it inside to act as a reflector.

 

[paulvallandigham]

I have known MLer shooters to carry a chrome plated .38 special casing to drop down their barrels to reflect light back. There are similar shiny objects sold on the market to use- chrome plated half cut, steel balls, for instance. With some of the new fiber optics, you can thread them through the TH or down through the bolster with the nipple removed, to shine into the barrel from the breech end.

 

[410-er]

Like the CVA drop in bore light.Only about 1 1/2" long and if you file off the knerling on the sides it drops right in a 45 cal.I WON'T buy a used muzzy without using it.

 

[catman]

Get one of these for $10 at O'Reilly's Auto Parts.

I got one too, they work well..

 

[mykeal]

Seems like someone would have a flexible fiber optic light strand that could be run down a barrel or maybe in the other end with the nipple pulled. Or flash hole liner removed.
There's probably one for sale out there somewhere.

There is. The Lindy Thill Nite Brite Replacement Battery:

It's $3 at Fisherman's Warehouse, lasts 20 hours and will fit in the vent liner hole, nipple hole or cleanout screw hole. It's not flexible but it's only about an inch long. You just pull out the tip with the bulb in it to turn it on, and push the bulb tip back down to turn it off. Comes in 3 colors: yellow, green & red. Will even fit in a .17 cal bore.

 

[Dave K]

I have and do use those little lights like Mykeal is talking of and they work well! But, I have also seen pitted bores with a good slathering of oil on them look pretty good under the reflected light that all these lights give. It is hard to beat a patch being pushed down the bore with a proper fitting jag. You can read the patch for snagging and for any rust it may bring up. Sometimes the tough part is determining if it is rust that is creating the brown on the patch or the dried up oil that is in the bore. I have seen many oils will leave a brownish color on a white patch and it isn't rust. Unfortunately it takes a little experience, but you will be able to determine rust from oil residue with time and a little studying.

 

[stubshaft]

I guess I am old fashioned but I use a cotton ball :rotf: with a thread attached to it. I can push it down the bore and shine a flashlight on it. :idunno:

 

[Kentuckywindage]

how the heck do you see down in there?

Normally i just use a Match or a lighter and put close to the nipple or touch hole and look down the barrel :slap: