Can I assume there is some life left in this barrel?

[HDSledge]

In an older thread on how to tell if your bore is worn Harlan said this:
"The bullet tip for an M1 carbine is short and round, so it doesn’t work very well because the relative differences in muzzle size is hard to see. (Even on a new barrel, the muzzle is very close to the front of the shell casing) "

Since I have nothing else to test with I took a pic of what the .30 cal round looks like out of curiosity. Based on the pic do you guys think I might be able to hit the broad side of a barn when I get to the range? (If it will ever stop raining.)

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[AFJon]

You'll get a better reading with a M2 ball round. I'd venture there's' plenty of life left in the barrel.

[HDSledge]

You'll get a better reading with a M2 ball round. I'd venture there's' plenty of life left in the barrel.

I'll post a pic of the group when I finally get out there to shoot it.

re. the M2 ball round: I'm not sure where to get one. Will a regular 30-06 work or is it too different?

[browningautorifle]

I'll bet you can't drop a bullet in the barrel and blow it through with your lips... It's fine.

[HDSledge]

I'll bet you can't drop a bullet in the barrel and blow it through with your lips... It's fine.

Got a laugh out of that one. Reminds me of the time as a kid I made a dart gun and let my brother have a try. Instead of blowing out he inhaled the dart and swallowed it. Nothing shows up as well on an x ray as a wad of foil with a pin sticking out of it. He had to "look" for the dart for a couple days. Maybe I should let him take a shot at it.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

It looks like plenty of life is left.

These work nice, but around $25-$30

[AFJon]

I'll post a pic of the group when I finally get out there to shoot it.

re. the M2 ball round: I'm not sure where to get one. Will a regular 30-06 work or is it too different?

If you can meet the CMP eligibility requirements
Eligibility Requirements - Civilian Marksmanship ProgramCivilian Marksmanship Program

Ammo
Civilian Marksmanship Program eStore


If you don't have an M1 Garand yet this would be a great excuse to get one.

[HDSledge]

If you don't have an M1 Garand yet this would be a great excuse to get one.

Feed the beast eh? Buy the gun so I can buy some ammo so I can use one round to inaccurately check my bore? Sounds reasonable.

In the meantime I ordered this: 20 bucks shipped. Someone suggested drill a hole and hang it from a keyring.

[INLAND44]

You're in great shape. The .30 Carbine bullet never gets flat before the case mouth which is why you should use the M2 Ball. So, considering that, your muzzle is probably about like new.

[HDSledge]

You're in great shape. The .30 Carbine bullet never gets flat before the case mouth which is why you should use the M2 Ball. So, considering that, your muzzle is probably about like new.

Haven't received the wear gauge yet but I don't think it matters. Went to the range today to finally try out my M1A1.

I used the 100 yd peep and held a few inches low since the berm was only 60 yards away. Fired the first shot in 50 years out of the rifle and it went right where I was aiming, bottom of the target. Next I shot a group of 5 that wound up a bit right so I tried again and the next group was almost all in the center square but a bit left.

My shooting eye is not as good as it used to be but I was very happy with the accuracy of the rifle.