Flexible bore light for muskets etc

[Kipling]

I was wondering if anybody out there has any suggestions or recommendations for a decent bore light I could use to check the barrels on some of my antique muskets. I do a lot of shooting of modern guns and the usual, short type, bore lights, do not work on muzzleloaders. Some of my muskets have pretty filthy barrels or rusty and I would like to see what their condition is like and whether there is anything living in them. I wouuld prefer not to have to remove the barrels!


Thanks

 

[captaindrew]

Those little small LED lights you can find anywhere work great, just drop them down the barrel with the light shining up.

 

[Booner]

I see on Amazon they have flexible bore scope type cameras that would fit down the bore of a muzzle loader that wold probably work. what you want is a camera that has some magnification.
If you check the reviews you might come up with one that would work for you. They are not very expensive.

I have a bore scope made by Lyman that I use on my center fire guns but it's not long enough for a muzzle loader.

 

[johan_steele]

LED fishing lure light. Works really well and only $2-3 at Wal Mart.

 

[Kipling]

Thank you guys. I just tried one of those tiny LED flashlights which worked well in my larger bore muskets (.69" etc). Unfortunately it is about .58" dia. so doesn't quite fit my .577 Enfields or my .52 Halls. I will have to see if I can find a smaller one.

Three very useful responses to my questions, thank you. Next time I am near a Walmart I will check out the fishing lure lights but not being a fisherman I have no idea what I will be looking for!

 

[Jobe Holiday]

The tiny light mentioned by Johan is very small, being only 1.332" in length by 0.159" in diameter. I use them to check the rifling in the bores of 0.177" pellet rifles. I have seen them with Red and Yellow colored lights. Also, they are not so bright so as to hurt your eyes. They are made by "Thill, P.O. Box, 973, Brainerd, MN, 56401". They will work in a 42" barreled musket just fine. But, the very best for muzzle loaders is the bore scope camera attachments for cell phones. With these you can actually inspect the chambers of muzzle loading arms, and take a photograph of the condition of the breech, too.
J.

 

[Copperhead-mi]

I've used the green light drop in bore light for years and it works for any length muzzle loading barrel from .45 caliber on up.

https://www.buffaloarms.com/muzzleloading-bore-light-for-45-cal-or-larger-rmc616

 

[JOHN42768]

Sounds like many great options to choose from