Holt Bodinson
At a local gun show, I stumbled across what appeared to be an unfired T/C Hawken, 50-caliber flintlock at an incredible price. The exterior was perfect and the frizzen had never been scraped by a flint. I bought it. I just cannot pass up a bargain, even if I don’t (immediately) need it.
“Bargain?” did I say, “Bargain!” The first patch down the bore came back out ruby red with rust, as did every patch I put down that wicked barrel. I ended up replacing it with a drop-in from Green Mountain Barrels. My total investment was still well under the price of a new T/C, but I swore I would never make the same mistake again, but checking a muzzloader at a show is tough.
A few weeks later, thumbing through the pages of the new Midway Master catalog, I came across a little, self-contained LED light you drop down the barrel of a muzzleloader to illuminate the inside of the bore so you can examine its condition. Believe me, a few seconds later I was placing an order with Midway for the $7.99 gadget.
Made by CVA, the unit is called a “Trophy Bore Light.” It is made from brass, measures .455" at its maximum diameter and is 1-5/16" long, has a turn on-and-off switch at one end and a green light emitting LED at the other. It comes with batteries, so you just switch it on and slide it down to the bottom of the well. It’s just amazing what this little gadget will show you.
Initially, I didn’t understand why the color of the LED was green. Now I do. The green light is soft and subtle, highlighting the positive and negative qualities of the bore. It’s a little green wonder, and it now rides in my watch pocket to every gun show.
“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!”
“Bargain?” did I say, “Bargain!” The first patch down the bore came back out ruby red with rust, as did every patch I put down that wicked barrel. I ended up replacing it with a drop-in from Green Mountain Barrels. My total investment was still well under the price of a new T/C, but I swore I would never make the same mistake again, but checking a muzzloader at a show is tough.
A few weeks later, thumbing through the pages of the new Midway Master catalog, I came across a little, self-contained LED light you drop down the barrel of a muzzleloader to illuminate the inside of the bore so you can examine its condition. Believe me, a few seconds later I was placing an order with Midway for the $7.99 gadget.
Made by CVA, the unit is called a “Trophy Bore Light.” It is made from brass, measures .455" at its maximum diameter and is 1-5/16" long, has a turn on-and-off switch at one end and a green light emitting LED at the other. It comes with batteries, so you just switch it on and slide it down to the bottom of the well. It’s just amazing what this little gadget will show you.
Initially, I didn’t understand why the color of the LED was green. Now I do. The green light is soft and subtle, highlighting the positive and negative qualities of the bore. It’s a little green wonder, and it now rides in my watch pocket to every gun show.
“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!”
Midway USA
Item #159-710
(800) 243-3220,
www.midwayusa.com
There's More Quartermaster
in the February issue...
• Lasermax’s Uni-Max Green Laser
www.ruger.com
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