I was about to buy a rifle today - older but never fired - and looking down the muzzle with a flashlight shining on the lands and grooves at the muzzle, I noticed some brown, regular streaks in the grooves. However, with a bore light shining from the breach end of the barrel, the barrel looked just fine. I didn't see any pitting or what looked like rust per se. But I passed until I know more.
The gun has been stored barrel-up in a gun cabinet in a living room for probably 15 years. I don't think the bore was ever oiled or swabbed with any type of rust-preventive.
I know that bluing is "controlled rust," but is the bore of a blued barrel also blued, so that it might show some brown streaking?
I guess I had never really thought about it, but what is a new (non-chrome lined) bore supposed to look like as far as color?
Thanks
The gun has been stored barrel-up in a gun cabinet in a living room for probably 15 years. I don't think the bore was ever oiled or swabbed with any type of rust-preventive.
I know that bluing is "controlled rust," but is the bore of a blued barrel also blued, so that it might show some brown streaking?
I guess I had never really thought about it, but what is a new (non-chrome lined) bore supposed to look like as far as color?
Thanks