Poor man's bore scope

[The Miner '49er]

It's been my experience that it's hard to align my eye when I shine a flashlight down the barrel to check it's cleanliness, and when I slide a bobber light all the way down, it is just too bright to be useful as well. I took an unmentionable cartridge case (.38 spl) and on the case head, stuck and then trimmed, a highly reflective silver piece of mylar from a AAA bumper sticker. Just slide the case down the barrel, hold the flashlight a few inches back from the muzzle, and you can easily view the condition of the rifling w/o having to keep adjusting your eyes. Like the three bears and their porridge - not too bright, not too dim, juuuust right.

 

[CuNosecap]

Bore lights have gotten so cheap, you can pick your price point. Then you can really post about all the awfulness you see.

https://www.amazon.com/Endoscope-In...=1697240442&sprefix=bore+light,aps,99&sr=8-37

A quick Amazon search shows ranges from low 20s to 1500.

 

[The Miner '49er]

Bore lights have gotten so cheap, you can pick your price point. Then you can really post about all the awfulness you see.

https://www.amazon.com/Endoscope-Industrial-Borescope-Waterproof-Inspection/dp/B0BVZQY64R/ref=sr_1_37?crid=BE5459K5KWI6&keywords=bore+light+for+firearms&qid=1697240442&sprefix=bore+light,aps,99&sr=8-37

A quick Amazon search shows ranges from low 20s to 1500.

Thanks for the info, but I'm pretty sure you can't beat the price of a used cartridge case and a pea sized piece of a bumper sticker that came in my junk mail. The homemade reflector gives me the view that works sufficiently detailed for me.

 

[morehops52]

I've found several mini lights that will slide down the bore. If buying on line check the specs for OA diameter. Bore light and general mini light in one.

 

[Eric Krewson]

You can get a cheap borescope for around $10 off eBay that will work just fine. I have a Teslong now but have had two of the el-cheapos in the past, both worked well, one was clearer than the other.

El-cheapo #1, Bill Large barrel

El Cheapo #2, TC breech

El-cheapo bore scope link;

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2041676898...2qwUINRF9cDTGvYP8%3D|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:4429486

 

[Crow Choker]

It's been my experience that it's hard to align my eye when I shine a flashlight down the barrel to check it's cleanliness, and when I slide a bobber light all the way down, it is just too bright to be useful as well. I took an unmentionable cartridge case (.38 spl) and on the case head, stuck and then trimmed, a highly reflective silver piece of mylar from a AAA bumper sticker. Just slide the case down the barrel, hold the flashlight a few inches back from the muzzle, and you can easily view the condition of the rifling w/o having to keep adjusting your eyes. Like the three bears and their porridge - not too bright, not too dim, juuuust right.

A friend showed me that trick several years ago, works like a charm, makes all of the rifling and bore really stand out. Only difference was didn't stick any reflective tab onto of the case head. Just used a well polished brass/nickel hull, worked very well. Only drawback is you can't see the very bottom of the barrel.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Auto Zone sells a skinny flashlight that will fit down any bore over about .25 caliber. They are inexpensive. I have one and like it. You can attach a string and let down barrel to get a good view.

 

[kyron4]

An AA or AAA battery dropped down the bore ( neg. side up) will also work.

 

[nchawkeye]

Never looked down the bore of any of mine, seems boring....

If the bore seems smooth with a cleaning jag, it should be fine...

 

[windini]

Thanks for the info, but I'm pretty sure you can't beat the price of a used cartridge case and a pea sized piece of a bumper sticker that came in my junk mail. The homemade reflector gives me the view that works sufficiently detailed for me.

But how do you focus it? I tried twisting my right ear, but it didn't seem to help...

I have a Teslong now

I have a Teslong too, but honestly, your El Cheapo breech pics look clearer than those my Teslong gives.

The Teslong is great for close-up viewing of the sides of the bore, but mine has an uselessly small field (cone) of view when looking straight ahead.

 

[The Miner '49er]

Maybe try the left ear?

 

[Eric Krewson]

You can change the focal length of a Teslong by screwing the head in or out.

This is an unmentionable with lot of copper on the lands, as seen straight ahead.

My fowler breech as see straight ahead. I gave the barrel a good scrubbing after I saw this oily rust.

 

[The Miner '49er]

Wow, Eric, after looking at those pics, I see what CuNosecap was talking about in post #2. TMI!!

 

[Eric Krewson]

I bought one of the cheap bore scopes with a hand-held screen off eBay, the picture quality is good but the probe is too large to go down a small barrel, the focal length is about 2 1/2", it can't look to the side.

 

[deerstalkert]

I have a teslong it sucks. capture software is corrupted and can't take pictures. focal length is ok but side view is wonky. That is a technical term don't you know.
now you guy's have messed up my plans for the day. i was going to work on my languishing build, now i will drag out my battery and scope all the bores to make sure i haven't missed cleaning one. senior moments getting the upper hand ya know.
now what were we talking about?

 

[Eric Krewson]

Screwing the side view piece on your Teslong in or out will change the focal length, if properly adjusted they do scary well when looking to the side. Cleaning the mirror with a lens cleaning solution is a plus as well.

They do show you stuff you don't want to see, like my nephew's GPR that he cleaned improperly.