Bore Scope Arrived--What Am I Looking At?

[DShortt]

As the saying goes, you don't know what you don't know. Occasionally we all have a 'Eureka!' moment. Nothing to lament over. You've learned something important early on. Good on you!

 

[762willdo]

Lemme see if I can sum up the next eight pages...
1. It's a Savage, they're always ugly inside
2. If the accuracy you get is acceptable, what's the problem?
3. Get it all the way clean first
4. If you're looking for an excuse to buy a new barrel, just buy a new barrel...

Did I miss anything?

5. Just shoot it

 

[JMayo]

It'll take 20 rounds to get good again !
I'm not one for cleaning to a bright new condition after a barrel has allot of rounds.
When i get home from a match I do more than the 2-4 patches i do at the range but I've learned not to clean too bright.
My 6mm's like to be patched out after 30 rounds at the range.

 

[Dgd6mm]

You did good Dave.

 

[K22]

You poor fellow; you have my deepest sympathy.

The gun cleaning supply companies' stocks go up with every bore scope sold. Enjoy your journey and best wishes in your new hobby watching borescope TV. 

 

[K22]

--It still shoots pretty decent groups at 100 with my favorite load

Then why are you troubled?

 

[LHSmith]

I'd recommend a light coat of oil or other lubricant in the cleaned bore before firing again.

 

[K22]

Yes!

Yes - Yes - Yes - Yes!!!

 

[dusterdave173]

I didn't go looking for trouble--groups were OK just not as good as it has been--and after the abuse I gave it in the PD fields ( would do it again in a heartbeat) I just wanted to take the next step and actually see what is going on in there. So...I may find out it was just fine as it was--I may find out that I really need to step up my cleaning game--I may find out I never need to clean again --etc etc but I figured more info is better--and ...I can inspect barrels Before I buy a used unit--all my pals want to see inside their barrels so the scope will pay for itself in short order or at least get me a free cold one every now and then.
When we were in the PD fields it was my first time--my pal was methodical--slow--he said he looked over and my brass pile looked like I was using a machine gun
Before I quit I want to try everything. We raced cars for decades-I remember when computers first showed up in the pits--guys would spend the entire wkend with their nose in the screen--meanwhile we whipped them on the track--they could not win with just that computer--I get it--a bore scope will not make me a better rifleman but data and info adds up and that turns into experience and the more of that you have the better you are--I am just working to gain what I can however I can
As I truly appreciate the help I get on here

 

[DShortt]

I didn't go looking for trouble--groups were OK just not as good as it has been--and after the abuse I gave it in the PD fields ( would do it again in a heartbeat) I just wanted to take the next step and actually see what is going on in there. So...I may find out it was just fine as it was--I may find out that I really need to step up my cleaning game--I may find out I never need to clean again --etc etc but I figured more info is better--and ...I can inspect barrels Before I buy a used unit--all my pals want to see inside their barrels so the scope will pay for itself in short order or at least get me a free cold one every now and then.
When we were in the PD fields it was my first time--my pal was methodical--slow--he said he looked over and my brass pile looked like I was using a machine gun
Before I quit I want to try everything. We raced cars for decades-I remember when computers first showed up in the pits--guys would spend the entire wkend with their nose in the screen--meanwhile we whipped them on the track--they could not win with just that computer--I get it--a bore scope will not make me a better rifleman but data and info adds up and that turns into experience and the more of that you have the better you are--I am just working to gain what I can however I can
As I truly appreciate the help I get on here

Very well stated. I've never wished that I had less information to work with.

 

[Ned Ludd]

I didn't go looking for trouble--groups were OK just not as good as it has been--and after the abuse I gave it in the PD fields ( would do it again in a heartbeat) I just wanted to take the next step and actually see what is going on in there. So...I may find out it was just fine as it was--I may find out that I really need to step up my cleaning game--I may find out I never need to clean again --etc etc but I figured more info is better--and ...I can inspect barrels Before I buy a used unit--all my pals want to see inside their barrels so the scope will pay for itself in short order or at least get me a free cold one every now and then.
When we were in the PD fields it was my first time--my pal was methodical--slow--he said he looked over and my brass pile looked like I was using a machine gun
Before I quit I want to try everything. We raced cars for decades-I remember when computers first showed up in the pits--guys would spend the entire wkend with their nose in the screen--meanwhile we whipped them on the track--they could not win with just that computer--I get it--a bore scope will not make me a better rifleman but data and info adds up and that turns into experience and the more of that you have the better you are--I am just working to gain what I can however I can
As I truly appreciate the help I get on here

I can't tell from your responses whether you have actually done any shooting with the rifle after the cleaning job. If you have, how did it shoot after cleaning?

The treatment you described giving the barrel at the prairiedog shoot is probably not a great approach in terms of barrel life and precision going forward, but it may not have hurt the barrel too much in this particular instance. To my eyes, that barrel looks to be in remarkably good shape for the round count. For example, the fire-cracking could be much worse than it is. As you use the borescope going forward, you will start to recognize various patterns/conditions in the bore and learn what they mean. I believe you've already learned the value of a borescope in terms of evaluating your cleaning regimen. As has been alluded to by others, the potential downside of owning a borescope is when someone unfamiliar observes things in the bore that cause them to freak out [unnecessarily]. This is also known as Borescope Anxiety Disorder (BAD). Simply avoid this type of over-reaction to anything startling you might observe in the bore while gaining familiarity with its use and you'll be fine.

 

[DShortt]

I can't tell from your responses whether you have actually done any shooting with the rifle after the cleaning job. If you have, how did it shoot after cleaning?

The treatment you described giving the barrel at the prairiedog shoot is probably not a great approach in terms of barrel life and precision going forward, but it may not have hurt the barrel too much in this particular instance. To my eyes, that barrel looks to be in remarkably good shape for the round count. For example, the fire-cracking could be much worse than it is. As you use the borescope going forward, you will start to recognize various patterns/conditions in the bore and learn what they mean. I believe you've already learned the value of a borescope in terms of evaluating your cleaning regimen. As has been alluded to by others, the potential downside of owning a borescope is when someone unfamiliar observes things in the bore that cause them to freak out [unnecessarily]. This is also known as Borescope Anxiety Disorder (BAD). Simply avoid this type of over-reaction to anything startling you might observe in the bore while gaining familiarity with its use and you'll be fine.

Guys have stuck bore brushes and abrasives such as JB Bore Paste or Losso on the end of a cordless drill and gone to town with it and there hadn't been any visible damage as viewed by a borescope. What cleaning you have done hasn't hurt anything.
I do think there is something to 'bore seasoning' so your first few shots might be a bit worse than what you're used to but just let the target speak for itself.

 

[jlorenzo]

How does it shoot post cleaning?

 

[jelenko]

I can't tell from your responses whether you have actually done any shooting with the rifle after the cleaning job. If you have, how did it shoot after cleaning?

The treatment you described giving the barrel at the prairiedog shoot is probably not a great approach in terms of barrel life and precision going forward, but it may not have hurt the barrel too much in this particular instance. To my eyes, that barrel looks to be in remarkably good shape for the round count. For example, the fire-cracking could be much worse than it is. As you use the borescope going forward, you will start to recognize various patterns/conditions in the bore and learn what they mean. I believe you've already learned the value of a borescope in terms of evaluating your cleaning regimen. As has been alluded to by others, the potential downside of owning a borescope is when someone unfamiliar observes things in the bore that cause them to freak out [unnecessarily]. This is also known as Borescope Anxiety Disorder (BAD). Simply avoid this type of over-reaction to anything startling you might observe in the bore while gaining familiarity with its use and you'll be fine.

I would like to add that wearing out a barrel is natural. I.e., while shooting lots with barrel really hot is going to reduce the accurate life of the barrel, if it's what you want to do - have at it!

While not quite the same as your p dog experience, I compete in 'cross the course'. We have four stages; two of which are 10 round strings fired in ~ 60 seconds. When I'm practicing, I'm not shy about stringing several of those 10 round strings together when I'm working on some issue. No question I'm reducing the accurate life of the barrel. But, I really, really don't want to wait long enough between those 10 round strings to let the barrel cool. There are other things I'd like to do than waste time.
To me, the barrel is a just a consumable - not something that has to be preserved.

 

[D Coots]

I would like to add that wearing out a barrel is natural. I.e., while shooting lots with barrel really hot is going to reduce the accurate life of the barrel, if it's what you want to do - have at it!


To me, the barrel is a just a consumable - not something that has to be preserved.

Burn it up, the next one will be better...

 

[SKWERLZ]

Lemme see if I can sum up the next eight pages...
1. It's a Savage, they're always ugly inside
2. If the accuracy you get is acceptable, what's the problem?
3. Get it all the way clean first
4. If you're looking for an excuse to buy a new barrel, just buy a new barrel...

Did I miss anything?

Well done!

 

[dusterdave173]

Storms and rain so probably next week before I can test out the shine job--will report how it goes

 

[dusterdave173]

Well back from the range
It seems the clean up helped get rifle back to the best I can do with it--I shot six groups--smallest was its best normal good of just under .500- did that twice-so I am happy--They started out approx .675 and got better as I warmed up and barrel got happier shot several under .550 so...back to my normal
It was pretty windy and cool

 

[DShortt]

Well back from the range
It seems the clean up helped get rifle back to the best I can do with it--I shot six groups--smallest was its best normal good of just under .500- did that twice-so I am happy--They started out approx .675 and got better as I warmed up and barrel got happier shot several under .550 so...back to my normal
It was pretty windy and cool

Nice! I can't help but wonder how many 'shot out' barrels could have been used a while longer if they'd just received a good cleaning with a way to check the progress.

 

[pdog06]

Best thing is another factory Savage replacement barrel can be found in the classifieds here for $150-200! Now that you know how to get it clean burn that sucker up!

Happy shootin!