Rough barrel question

[robert1]

I was looking at an apparently new Pedersoli Kentucky rifle at a local gun store recently.
It has been there for quite some time, I think, but unfired, I am sure of.
I looked down the bore with my flashlight, and could see visible machine marks, and roughness.
I obviously couldn't run a patch down to get a better feel for it, so I don't know if this was rust, or not.
The owner doesn't seem to think this would be an issue, but I am not so sure if I want to take a chance. Could that be taken care of with steel wool, or maybe JB compound? The price is appealing, but if the deal was done, there would be no going back. Any thoughts?

 

[gwalker]

When barrels are made, the bore is polished before it is rifled. Therefore, the lands will appear smooth, while the grooves will show machine marks from the rifling machine. This is normal. Take a ramrod/jag/patch with you and ask if you can run it down the bore. If the owner says no, just thank him for his time and walk out the door.

 

[Zonie]

The apparent roughness shouldn't keep you from running a patch down the bore.

A lightly oiled patch on a proper size jag should slide easily down the barrel.

When removed, the jag may show signs of light rusting and there is nothing wrong with this.

On the other hand, if the patch shows heavy rust deposits or it feels rough as it slides down the bore I recommend you pass on the gun.

Many of the factory made guns offer new barrels but these often cost almost as much as a new gun.

While you are running that patch down the bore pay attention to the force you need to apply to the cleaning rod. If it is constant, everything is fine.

If it suddenly gets easier to push and then returns to the original pressure the barrel has been "ringed" by someone shooting a load with the ball still up the barrel and the barrel is damaged beyond saving.

 

[robert1]

I went back today with my cleaning rod and he allowed me to push a patch through the barrel.
It went evenly all the way,except for a couple spots that snagged the patch. That has got to be metal that is protruding out, not rust pits, I figure. Still thinking about this one.

 

[TMan51]

I think most barrels with deep cut rifling come home with a few snags. The beauty of deep rifling is that it takes a lot to actually ruin a barrel so rifled.

I have never tried steel wool myself, but I've JB'd quite a few. And a couple times used JB and a patched ball to take the burrs or rust film out of a barrel. JB is actually a pretty soft polishing compound relative to valve grinding stuff or diamond lapping compound. It's also not fast to use. Think a lot of strokes between sessions.

 

[coloradoclyde]

If you look hard enough you will find tool marks down every bore.
If you want it and the price is good....buy it.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained! :grin:

 

[Bill M.]

I would buy it.

FYI. I found a bore scope on Amazon for $20. Has a light and the camera works and you can inspect a bore fairly well all the way down. Goes down a .40 caliber bore.

 

[robert1]

I have been looking at those cheaper bore scopes, too. You get what you pay for, of course, but they have to be better than just a flashlight, I think.

 

[Sure Shot 2]

Simple solution. Go to your nearest Walmart and buy a lighted fishing bobber. Walleye and night time ice fishing guys use those bobbers. Unscrew the bobber's plastic body and remove its little battery powered light. That little bobbers light makes a great bore light. Its lithium powered too.