I have mentioned this rifle before. It is a Model 70 XTR PF in 7RM I bought off Gunbroker.

The bore scope saved a bunch of attempted load workup and subsequent cleaning chores. I did not realize I had saved the photos. I just stumbled across them cleaning up my photo files.

The rifle went straight to Shaw for a new barrel and shoots quite well now.

Yep,great economical tool for the gun owner for about the price of a box of ammo these days and you could easily spend more than what one cost burning ammo trying to get a load that shoots well when it never will.I picked up a very lightly used Ruger Tang Safety model.That barrel had voids scattered throughout the barrel,even small voids in the chamber.Maybe why some of those Wilson barreled Rugers shot like crap.Sent it to Shaw and they did a good job for me.It shoots most loads between .5" to .75" now,way better than the 2" plus it shot before.

Fortunately what a barrel looks like and how the rifle shoots are independent.

That is true in some cases but,you can chase your tail trying to get a bad barrel to shoot great.Knowing the barrel has issues and accuracy is poor too,with the cost of ammo these days,you could spend hundreds trying to get something to shoot well.I'd rather spend those hundreds in a better barrel if it's not very accurate.

I could never figure out why Mrs Blacktailer's 308 Kimber would not shoot into less than about 2 MOA. Spent lots of money on components and lots of time and frustration. Then I got a Teslong and the problem was obvious. I agree with RP that some barrels shoot well even though they are rough but when rifle won't shoot after bedding and lots of tweaking and lots of load development and the bore is rough, you have found your problem. At least I did.

To a point.

But even if the aforementioned Winchester had shot minute of deer at three hundred yards, someone would have been responsible for cleaning the copper mine out of those pits.


It was purchased as a gift for my son. No way would I turn it over to him in that condition.

No truer words have ever been spoken. However, if you buy from gunbroker or online, buy with an inspection period. Even if it's a "non firing" inspection period. Most sellers allow 3 days for that. The OP's bore would have been obvious, even with a good light and naked eye inspection. It would be pretty obvious and a quick inspection at that. One reason I prefer to buy my rifles in person. Or buy one from a well known seller. I've had to ask if the shop could clean a bore a time or 2 as well, so I could inspect them before I buy. A rifle like what the OP is showing would not have followed me home, at any price, and yes I've bought XTR's for pretty cheap.. Just sayin..

Old guns have the inherent risk of throat erosion and some barrel pitting. But it’s unfortunately what I like. Teslong verified as less then perfect, a pre-64 243 and a 722 257 Roberts shot for the first time yesterday. Teslong is a no doubt a great tool. But don’t walk away from a less then perfect bore imo.

I submit that there's a bit of room between "don't walk away from a less than perfect bore" and how it shoots being independent of its condition.

This rifle looks bad at the throat,but the farther down the barrel it gets better.It still will shoot about .5" groups,but it's one I don't shoot much anymore because I know it's days are numbered.

I've got one that is a lot worse than that by close to double and its one of my best shooters.

Just shoot it until it displeases, then change the barrel.

I have a Teslong sitting on my desk. I ordered it several weeks ago, it came without the probe. I called Teslong and they said “sorry” and sent the probe. A week later I got the probe with no mirrors. I called Teslong, they said “sorry” and are sending the mirrors.

I can’t wait for what happens next…

I do as well. That thing looks brand new.