Dark bore?

meatgrinder42 · November 9, 2011, 09:24 AM

I was looking at a couple barreled actions for a sporter project and I see a lot of 'dark bore' but good rifling barreled actions. When I think of dark bore I think of minor pitting and a stay away from. Am I right or is a dark bore a whole different meaning?

Pahoo · November 9, 2011, 11:04 AM

I too am leary of Dark-Bores, especially on M/L's as they tend to be abused. Even old military bores show some shine. Logic would dictate that light will be reflected off clean polished surfaces as opposed to rougher surfaces that will not reflect. That is why I use a fairly bright bore light. ...

You should see what a Ringed" barrel looks like; bright and shiney, then a dark bad and back to bright and shiney. ....

Be Safe !!!

James K · November 9, 2011, 11:50 AM

"Dark bore" has no specific meaning, and sellers use it for that reason. One man's "dark bore" can be another man's "good bore" and another man's "sewer pipe."

Another nice vague term is "strong rifling", which often means that with a good light you just might be able to make out a few lands.

Jim

natman · November 9, 2011, 01:29 PM

What "dark bore" is supposed to mean:
The rifling is solid, but no longer shiny.

What "dark bore" often means:
You can't see light through the bore.

SIGSHR · November 9, 2011, 03:54 PM

I recall a column by J. B. Wood, he said he had a handgun with a "dark bore" that shot fine. I have a 1943 Walther made P-38 with a pitted barrel, it shoots fine. IMHO if the lands and grooves are sharp a "dark bore" is merely a matter of cosmetics.

James K · November 9, 2011, 07:20 PM

Both the fact and the term really date to the days of corrosive primers when, given the right (or wrong) combination of heat and humidity, a barrel could pick up a nice coat of rust in a few hours, and a military rifle used by an army with lax discipline could resemble a rusty iron water pipe in a few weeks.

It would take serious neglect for the term to be applicable to a sporting gun of recent (post 1950) vintage.

Jim

Pahoo · November 9, 2011, 08:01 PM

Jim K.
Should the term; 'dark bore' raise a red flag. It's either good or not so good? There are more than one gun term that raises red flags and to me, this is one of them. .....

Be Safe !!!

Asgardnz · November 11, 2011, 08:14 PM

A friend of mine used to polish dark barrels with toothpaste on the bore brush!

meatgrinder42 · November 12, 2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

A friend of mine used to polish dark barrels with toothpaste on the bore brush!

Funny, I used toothpaste for polishing brass valve guides on cylinder heads... never thought about it for polishing gun parts though...

Jo6pak · November 12, 2011, 02:47 PM

Shiny bores..and minty fresh. What's not to like

I use toothpaste on my white letter tires.

g.willikers · November 12, 2011, 05:49 PM

A grungy bore usually lowers the value of a gun, but quite often it has little or no effect on the shooting.
One of the best rifles I ever owned had a pitted barrel, but it was impressively accurate.
There's no telling, some times.

November 9, 2011, 09:24 AM	#1
meatgrinder42 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2011 Location: Good Ol' Wisconsin Posts: 327	Dark bore? I was looking at a couple barreled actions for a sporter project and I see a lot of 'dark bore' but good rifling barreled actions. When I think of dark bore I think of minor pitting and a stay away from. Am I right or is a dark bore a whole different meaning? __________________ When I die better bury me deep, two .45s layin' at my feet, An M16 across my chest, tell Chesty Puller I did my best

November 9, 2011, 11:04 AM	#2
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Dark is relative but; I too am leary of Dark-Bores, especially on M/L's as they tend to be abused. Even old military bores show some shine. Logic would dictate that light will be reflected off clean polished surfaces as opposed to rougher surfaces that will not reflect. That is why I use a fairly bright bore light. ... You should see what a Ringed" barrel looks like; bright and shiney, then a dark bad and back to bright and shiney. .... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing. Last edited by Pahoo; November 9, 2011 at 12:06 PM.

November 9, 2011, 08:01 PM	#7
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Just have to ask; Jim K. Should the term; 'dark bore' raise a red flag. It's either good or not so good? There are more than one gun term that raises red flags and to me, this is one of them. ..... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing. Last edited by Pahoo; November 12, 2011 at 05:50 PM.

November 12, 2011, 02:47 PM	#10
Jo6pak Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2010 Location: West Coast...of WI Posts: 1,663	Shiny bores..and minty fresh. What's not to like I use toothpaste on my white letter tires. __________________ NRA Life Member, SAF contributor.

November 12, 2011, 05:49 PM	#11
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	A grungy bore usually lowers the value of a gun, but quite often it has little or no effect on the shooting. One of the best rifles I ever owned had a pitted barrel, but it was impressively accurate. There's no telling, some times. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

November 9, 2011, 11:50 AM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	"Dark bore" has no specific meaning, and sellers use it for that reason. One man's "dark bore" can be another man's "good bore" and another man's "sewer pipe." Another nice vague term is "strong rifling", which often means that with a good light you just might be able to make out a few lands. Jim

November 9, 2011, 01:29 PM	#4
natman Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2008 Posts: 2,605	What "dark bore" is supposed to mean: The rifling is solid, but no longer shiny. What "dark bore" often means: You can't see light through the bore.

November 9, 2011, 03:54 PM	#5
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	I recall a column by J. B. Wood, he said he had a handgun with a "dark bore" that shot fine. I have a 1943 Walther made P-38 with a pitted barrel, it shoots fine. IMHO if the lands and grooves are sharp a "dark bore" is merely a matter of cosmetics.

November 9, 2011, 07:20 PM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Both the fact and the term really date to the days of corrosive primers when, given the right (or wrong) combination of heat and humidity, a barrel could pick up a nice coat of rust in a few hours, and a military rifle used by an army with lax discipline could resemble a rusty iron water pipe in a few weeks. It would take serious neglect for the term to be applicable to a sporting gun of recent (post 1950) vintage. Jim

November 11, 2011, 08:14 PM	#8
Asgardnz Member Join Date: November 4, 2011 Location: New Zealand Posts: 35	A friend of mine used to polish dark barrels with toothpaste on the bore brush!

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