Borescopes

Z

Zebra13

Member
Gentlemen,

I am seriously considering buying a borescope, and wanted your thoughts on which one and what accessories I might need, or would like. I'm looking at a Hawkeye 17" Slim model with the standard light source. From what I've read on previous posts, an alternate light source is available on the cheap, so there is no real reason for the Nova light source option, and the angled eyepiece is often disturbed by the stock of high combed rifles, so I'm not sure that is a good option either. The majority of guns I will using it on are small caliber (.17 .20 and .22), and am not a full time, professional gunsmith...just a sicko, serious, hobbyist who likes accurate rifles.

Any thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Justin
 
You will have to get the 17 cal specific borescope. I also got the angled eye piece. I am happy with the std light source. I did buy two different Nite Eyes LED conversion bulbs, one with a single LED and one with 3 LEDs. I just haven't tried them in the borescope. I DO like the Nite Eyes push button switch conversion for the Mini Mag Lite.
 
Borescope

I have a Haweye with the Nova Light Source. I already bought it before I found out about the cheap LED upgrade. This was probably one of the best firearms related investments I've ever made.
Chino69
 
I have had a Hawkeye 17 inch bore scope for 6 or 7 years now, bought the angled eye piece about a year later and they are the best investment I have ever made in firearms paraphernalia I have made to date. The Hawkeye bore scope goes with me every time I get ready to make a purchase and has saved me from buying some pretty awful looking barrels/rifles. It has probably saved me many times its purchase price in both money and headaches. You won’t believe how rough most factory barrels and chambers are, it’s a wonder they shoot as well as they do.

FYI: You can use the Hawkeye in a 17 cal barrel, but with out the 45* angled mirror over tube. With out the 45* mirror you can only look straight down the barrel. A great disadvantage for sure when trying to get a close look at the lands/groves.

Could someone please elaborate on the “cheap LED upgrade” for the Hawkeye! I have never heard of this and would love to know more about it. :confused:

TIA
Larry
 
I did the cheap upgrade on my Hawkeye and have to say it puts out so much light it's hard to see the rifling due to all the glare.
 
I see said the blind man....

OK I understand now. I have seen those LED's on sale before but never thought about applying them to the Mag Light in HawkEye kit. :eek:
Thanks for the heads up Scott.
Larry
 
Gentlemen,

Based on your advice, I ordered the 17" Slimline with the angled eye piece. Got it today, and promptly inspected a co-workers .45. He had to do push-ups and re-clean his gun. This thing is cool! Can't wait to get it home and peer down some tubes. Thanks all for your advice.

Justin
 
Borescope

Zebra13 said:
Gentlemen,

Based on your advice, I ordered the 17" Slimline with the angled eye piece. Got it today, and promptly inspected a co-workers .45. He had to do push-ups and re-clean his gun. This thing is cool! Can't wait to get it home and peer down some tubes. Thanks all for your advice.

Justin
Click to expand...


You'll find yourself using it quite a bit; one of the best investments I've ever made.

Chino69
 
I wish they would make a cheaper version. it wouldn't be that hard to make one with a little less quality for less than half the price of the hawkeye.
 
"Hawkeye" borescope

Zebra13: Bought my 17" deluxe Hawkeye from Lester Bruno almost 3 yrs ago,when the $75 rebate was being offered. Bruno had the best price at the time: $620 delivered to my door. It has already saved me more than its cost. I realize the 45 degree eyepiece is nice to have: I'm just too cheap to spend the extra $285. I lay the rifle on its side, on top of a box that is sitting on the top of my workbench. Pull up a chair, and am able to look directly, straight into the bore, so for now, do not feel handicapped without the 45 degree option. I understand there is one now being "made in China", selling for around $325/ no thanks. Some complain about the "high cost", but think nothing of spending $1500 for a rifle 'scope, many of which will take a depreciation hit of 50% when attempting to sell as used. Probably the single best investment I've ever made, shooting related. Ever wonder why you seldom see used "hawkeye" borescopes for sale?
 
Gentlemen,

I bought mine from Bruno's and, as always, they were a joy to deal with. I have had that damn thing stuck in my eye since I got it! Some observations...

Looking down a factory Remington and Winchester barrel caused me to throw up in my mouth. It's a wonder some of them shoot as well as they do.

My Lilja's, Hart's and Shilen's look flawless. They are very easy to get most, if not all the observable copper fouling out of. But...powder fouling is a different animal. That stuff is a mutha. It's very obvious in the first 8-10"s of the bore, and as you go down the bore, it becomes less apparent, to non existent. The last half of the bore, in one of the custom tubes, looks brand new. I'm seeing powder fouling as dark brown to black in color, and after a good scrubbin', it gets a lighter shade of brown...but never gone. Has that been your guys experience? And what solvents/methods are you guys using to combat powder fouling?

Thanks,
Justin
 
Zebra13 said:
Gentlemen,

Based on your advice, I ordered the 17" Slimline with the angled eye piece. Got it today, and promptly inspected a co-workers .45. He had to do push-ups and re-clean his gun. This thing is cool! Can't wait to get it home and peer down some tubes. Thanks all for your advice.

Justin
Click to expand...
I use my borescope to scare myself quite a bit, so be careful and remember that a good shooting barrel is a good shooting barrel, no matter how bad it might look.
 
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