Accuracy And Bore Scopes

[blueprairiedog]

so far I have 2 rifles that it has helped me with: concrete proof, nope--even if I had 2 sets of targets would you believe me? it would still be my word on what those targets were--before/after/with/wiithout/ 100y, 1000 yd/etc--- this is the internet after all.

in 1 case I have a "new" old stock rem mountain 700 in 30-06, it wasnt shooting really well (about 1.5moa) and I thought it was because of the light weight and the pencil profile barrel-- after the bore scope I saw it had LOTS of copper fouling in the bore (it has low round count on it but appears to be copper fouling faster than my other barrels), so I cleaned the snot out of it till there was no visual copper left, then re-shot my 1.5 moa load and came out with 3/4-7/8 moa --so I guess you could say it cut my group size almost in 1/2

2nd one was just for information and did not increase my accuracy--its my old arisaka rifle (on another thread) -- it shoots like crud so I scoped it to see if there was a lot of throat wear fire-cracking, copper build up, pitting or what ever that could be affecting the accuracy --- what I found was the bore is almost smooth inside, especially near the muzzle--I had no prior reference point to know that the accuracy has decreased so it was nice to know that it would be a waste of time to try to reload for it to see if I could get any accuracy out of it (this easily saved me more than the $50 it cost in dies/brass/bullets/powder)

on my other rifles, I can watch to see how much copper builds up in each bore, and I can watch for any carbon ring build up (if it matters) -- I did see 2 of my rifles with a carbon ring starting to form-- the others have no trace of a ring --good or bad, not sure but at least I can keep track of it to see if copper build up or carbon build up is affecting my accuracy

I feel it gives you a baseline to observe changes to see if they affect your accuracy, or pressure

The other reason I bought it is so I can scope a used barrel to see if there appears to be excessive wear--- I don't feel you can tell if a barrel will be accurate by just looking at it though as some rifles that shoot well, just look like crud

Is it 100% necessary? NOPE- is it a useful tool? YES in my eyes

You could loosely compare it to a leak-down and compression gauge used for an automotive engine-- do you need one to tell if your horsepower and performance has decreased? nope, does it help to diagnose exactly what is going on inside the engine that is causing your problems? yes in my eyes

Nicely said . I have used a leak down gage many times and a fluke 87 4 different torque wrench's the bore scope is a tool

 

[Seabeeken]

Does it improve accuracy? It can it can confirm or eliminate suspicions of a carbon ring, throat wear, copper fouling and other things that could affect accuracy. I use mine mainly for cleaning but I also use it to see the maximum case length for my chambers. Check bolt lug recesses if needed for dirt etc. If you are having an accuracy problem them it can be used to eliminate bore and chamber causes. I'm surprised how much I use it now that I have it, it reduces any doubts. To each their own. If you dont want one, keep guessing, nobody is forcing you buy a $40-50 tool. FWIW

 

[ButterBean]

Does it improve accuracy? It can it can confirm or eliminate suspicions of a carbon ring, throat wear, copper fouling and other things that could affect accuracy. I use mine mainly for cleaning but I also use it to see the maximum case length for my chambers. Check bolt lug recesses if needed for dirt etc. If you are having an accuracy problem them it can be used to eliminate bore and chamber causes. I'm surprised how much I use it now that I have it, it reduces any doubts. To each their own. If you dont want one, keep guessing, nobody is forcing you buy a $40-50 tool. FWIW

No offense but I'm not guessing at anything and you didn't answer the question that was asked , I'm glad your enjoying yours and that you are certain you have a clean weapon. FWIW

 

[HARPERC]

1) Best use may be a gunsmith looking over a rifle asking why it don't shoot any more. Differential diagnosis.
2) It could help when buying or selling guns. Someone here had pictures in the classifieds selling a rifle.
3) Provide some objectivity around the Cracker Barrel. "You'll shoot that .264 out in 500 rounds.
4) Price point has dropped to not much more than a box or 2 of premium ammo. Cheap entertainment.
Don't have one, but have been close a time or 2. Could live without one, as well.

 

[ButterBean]

1) Best use may be a gunsmith looking over a rifle asking why it don't shoot any more. Differential diagnosis.
2) It could help when buying or selling guns. Someone here had pictures in the classifieds selling a rifle.
3) Provide some objectivity around the Cracker Barrel. "You'll shoot that .264 out in 500 rounds.
4) Price point has dropped to not much more than a box or 2 of premium ammo. Cheap entertainment.
Don't have one, but have been close a time or 2. Could live without one, as well.

HARPERC I agree with you and I very well may get one but as I said in my original post about the folks that are all fire and brimstone about you have to have one to be serious about accuracy and I have seen no proof of that yet, I've said it a hundred times that I can see it being useful but as evidence of this thread so far it's still just a really cool way to look at things up close IMO

 

[TRexF16]

I got a Teslong and have enjoyed having it very much. I can't say for sure that it has helped my accuracy but I am learning a lot about my barrels including how they wear and how carbon and copper respond to various cleaning products and techniques.
Surprisingly, I have not heard many folks who've purchased the Teslong being familiar with this accessory mirror set that REALLY enhances the view one gets on calibers above 7mm. If I was designing this mirror set though I would lose the 12mm (50 cal) and the 5mm (three of those already come with the borescope) and replace them with one that was a perfect fit in a .338 and one for the 6.5 mm. The 7mm mirror fits .308 (and above) and the 8.3 mm fits .358 (and above) Those really enhance my view on those bores. For under 30 cal you still just use the 5mm (same as what comes with the borescope.)
But the larger ones give a much bigger view and eliminate the problems with focal length.
Teslong 4-piece mirror set
No connection, blah. blah. blah. just enjoy looking at my bores.

Cheers,
Rex

 

[Greyfox]

I have been using a Lyman Bore-Scope for a few years. I find it useful for determining barrel life by monitoring for fire-cracking/throat wear, keeping an eye out for carbon ring development, and basic checks on cleaning(carbon/copper). I personally find it to be a useful tool.

 

[HARPERC]

....HARPERC I agree with you and I very well may get one but as I said in my original post about the folks that are all fire and brimstone about you have to have one to be serious about accuracy and I have seen no proof of that yet, I've said it a hundred times that I can see it being useful but as evidence of this thread so far it's still just a really cool way to look at things up close IMO....

Sorry! I did get your point, and just went the long way around the barn agreeing with you. LOL!

 

[ButterBean]

Sorry! I did get your point, and just went the long way around the barn agreeing with you. LOL!

No need for apologies as we are on the same page

 

[Tree Farmer]

I had a rifle that would not shoot consistently. Bore scoped the throat/leade and it was clearly bad (half the rifling ended just forward of the throat and the other half was missing). Sent the rifle to the factory and asked them if this was acceptable. The rifle was returned with a new barrel and test group. Made the bore scope purchase (Lyman) very worthwhile. So yes, a bore scope can improve accuracy.

 

[Dosh]

My old .270 Wby accuracy went to heck several years ago. Cleaning didn't help. Got a bore scope and found the bore looked like a disaster area. It now sports a new Kreiger. I have used the bore scope to look at barrels of prospective purchases and see the condition of all my rifles. It's a useful tool for me and may gift one to my son.

 

[tnek13]

As has been stated Borescopes are a tool, they do not make a rifle more accurate they just show you the condition of the bore or any other area of the rifle you use it on (inside the bolt, receiver, etc).

 

[ButterBean]

I had a rifle that would not shoot consistently. Bore scoped the throat/leade and it was clearly bad (half the rifling ended just forward of the throat and the other half was missing). Sent the rifle to the factory and asked them if this was acceptable. The rifle was returned with a new barrel and test group. Made the bore scope purchase (Lyman) very worthwhile. So yes, a bore scope can improve accuracy.

I guess that's one way of looking at it but that's not exactly what i was getting at

 

[LaHunter]

Over the last week I have read that " Ignorance is Bliss " If you don't have a bore scope you have no idea whats going on' " Anyone that's serious about accuracy has to have a bore scope " and that my mind is closed and "I'm unteachable ", Now with that being said I will say that I think a bore scope could be a very useful tool and I am very interested in it but it's not a " If you aint got one you don't know what your doing tool " So this is a simple question, As I am still teachable and always willing to try something new I would like to know how a bore scope improved accuracy in any given rifle, WITH PROOF not just accusations, I'm figuring if it made that big of a difference you would have kept bragging rights of some sort, And as this is the Long Range Hunting site I don't care to know about 50 pound Benchrest Rigs strapped to a concrete bench , Thanks in advance
Bean

I bought one within the past year. For me, I don't think it has helped my accuracy, but I think it is a useful tool to help diagnose problems that you may be having, or help identify potential future issues such as carbon rings or excessive throat erosion.