lsull wrote:that is some good news old outlaw! the small pie 1,2or,3 is barrel condition isn't it? no mark being new and 3 being (for the swedes) poor.
I'm foaming at the mouth to go shooting with it. might take my k31 and compare the 2 he he.
Contrary to what many will tell you, 3 is not poor. Period. It is an old wives tale that is totally false. A 3 means it basically has spots that are
questionable at the time the inspector looks down the barrel. NOW, copper build up and a rifle not regularly cleaned will not look that good to the inspector. The Swedes were very smart, their berdan primers were not corrosive primers. Plus, their inspections were regularly scheduled and
very meticulous. If one were to grade as far worse than a three, they might well replace the barrel for that or a worn bore diameter.
I as well as the big time Swedish collectors here and the bigger Swedish collectors in Sweden will tell you, compare a 3 with any other Mauser bore anywhere. Compare one against a Mosin. If you do, you will never look at the difference again. A 3 would be your Holy Grail!
Here is how one of my 1899 Swedes shoots. Oh yea, it's a 3 by the way. 6.51 bore dia.
That is 5 rounds at 50 yards from a rest. Called a blanket over an up turned wooden range stool. At 200 yards I can barely see the 8 inch black circle on my other targets. But, I can hit it. Nuff said about any 3 rating on a Swede.