Borescope

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Borescope

Post by von_klitzing » 23 May 2014, 4:53 pm

I was looking through a tool catalogue and noticed a 10mm inspection scope selling for $100 odd, so I figured there might be something smaller online that would fit into the smaller caliber rifles. The best "reasonably cheap" $220 borescope I could find was 4.5mm, any smaller and they are medical endoscopes and prices go over $1k.

What sizes are the borescopes used for inspecting rifle bores? Do they need to travel right through the barrel or can they just be fit to the chamber and muzzle? Do they need to be flexible? Portable as well?

My guess is the former, and yes to flexible as I don't want to be pulling my lever action apart every time I want to make sure it's cleaned well, but I've never ventured down this path before. I would consider one at that price if 4.5mm is a size that will fit 90% of available bore sizes.

Thoughts??
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Re: Borescope

Post by Chronos » 23 May 2014, 5:11 pm

Bore scopes generally have a mirror mounted at 45deg to the camera so they look outward at the rifling, not forward down the bore,

I haven't used one but would love to own one

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Re: Borescope

Post by Usurper » 25 May 2014, 9:17 pm

They're a few hundred $$$ though right?

Expensive tool when it's just for fun really.

(I know there are prices listed in OP post but for proper once designed for rifle barrels I imagine it's expensive, like all specialised equipment.)
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Re: Borescope

Post by Chronos » 25 May 2014, 9:19 pm

if i owned one i would use it to monitor fouling and throat wear/firecracking, but would probably use it for fun too LOL

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Re: Borescope

Post by creet » 25 May 2014, 9:21 pm

Chronos wrote:Bore scopes generally have a mirror mounted at 45deg to the camera so they look outward at the rifling, not forward down the bore


Not an expert here but I have seen others.

Only in videos, but it was a fisheye type lens or something similar so you were looking forward, but the field of view was wide and the outside of the image was looking at the rifling.

No idea what the tool was called exactly though.
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Re: Borescope

Post by Usurper » 25 May 2014, 9:22 pm

Chronos wrote:if i owned one i would use it to monitor fouling and throat wear/firecracking, but would probably use it for fun too LOL


I sort of meant 'fun' in the sense you didn't need it for work. Not buying it to make a living etc.

It would be useful no doubt too. And for screwing around with :lol:
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Re: Borescope

Post by Khan » 25 May 2014, 9:30 pm

Usurper wrote:They're a few hundred $$$ though right?


I was looking some up just for interest after reading this.

Some of them have the price as 'request a quote'. That never means it's cheap :lol:
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Re: Borescope

Post by Chronos » 25 May 2014, 9:37 pm

http://www.hawkeyeblue.com/PrecisionSho ... talog.html

i think you'll find they're worth more than a few hundred $$$

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Re: Borescope

Post by huccl » 27 May 2014, 3:44 pm

So they're still worth hundreds.

Just 8 to 15 of them :lol:
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Re: Borescope

Post by Usurper » 27 May 2014, 3:45 pm

Riiiiiiight. Well that's more than I was expecting.
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