I don't want to over-simplify things, but... I have a bunch of milsurps in the safe, and have had numerous others pass thru my hands. Never had a really bad shooter. None of mine have been sewer pipes, but I certainly haven't put a lot of effort into their evaluation. I will run a patch down them to remove the dust/cosmolineicon/gunk. If the lands/grooves are high and look sharp, no pitting is observed, the crown isn't beat up and the muzzle doesn't swallow a bullet, it will go home with me. I might even take a dinged crown - a brass screw and some valve lapping compound will do wonders! And due to corrosive primers that these rifles shot over their lifetime - I don't care if it has a dark bore. I kinda expect it...

Here is my logic and philosophy. None of these milsurps are expected to shoot match grade groups, espec with my old 50 yo eyes and open sights and old milsurp/corrosive ammo. You have to remember - these were designed to shoot minute of soldier! I am NOT buying a milsurp to shoot MOA groups at 100 yds with irons. I am buying a piece of history to enjoy and shoot and have fun and expose my sons (5 of them!) to history. For us, it is way more about the history and where the guns may have been and through and just getting to shoot them. It is the experience for us.

Having said all this, I have yet to get an aweful shooter and some that shot very well. Just bought an M1icon shooter. $525 for a field grade w/ TE=3 and ME=2. Great fun shooter! Lots of quality time with the boys!