Teslong NTG Rifle borescope

Let’s face it, your rifle barrel is the true deciding factor on performance. It’s this area that gets the most work, as it’s constantly coping with high temperatures and pressures as the bullet runs the bore and exits. Add in general neglect and you can get rusting that leads corrosion and eventual serious damage.

Check it out

So, and apart from a regular and rigorous cleaning regime what can we do? Well, a look up the bore now and again is never a bad idea. However, this usually means a trip to the gunsmith who will have a borescope for the job. Why not cut out the middleman and buy one; great idea, but they are not cheap. However, a company called Teslong are now offering a handy design, that could be the answer.

It comes in a padded case and uses a simple Wi- Fi connection that can be hooked up to your mobile or tablet, allowing video or still images of the bore to be taken. I have recently tested the device for Gunmart TV, so have a look.

Simples

The 36” optical cable includes a digital camera and LED plus a handle that houses the power. It comes with a charging cable with USB connection and features a single control button that acts as the ON/ OFF and dimmer switch. A long press turns it ON/OFF and four blue lights appear indicating a full charge. Short presses adjust the light intensity. To connect, go into your phone’s settings menu and enter your Wi-Fi setting.

The phone’s screen will show four icons that allow you to take still photographs and videos, capture files and adjust settings. The initial view up the bore is radial, as the camera is forwardfacing only, however, Teslong provide three 90º mirror adaptors to allow you to see directly into the rifling. These are .22” calibre only, meaning you can use the scope on any calibre above and including .224”.

Take a look

The image produced is good and you can see imperfections easily; rust, pitting, copper build-up, general fouling, and erosion. I was having accuracy issues with my 6.5x55mm Mauser M03, the tube being at least 10-years old. The Teslong showed that it’s knackered; the throat and first few inches of rifling have gone, and the corners of the lands are rounded off. Not surprising given the number of rounds it had fired!

Conclusion

So the borescope certainly works, and at just £95 puts this especially useful piece of equipment easily within financial reach of most of us. A group of friends or even a club could buy one and share it to really keep it economic. Great piece of kit!