Historical common practice

[e57]

503.f. A run of conduit, between outlet and outlet or between fitting and fitting, shall include not more than the equivalent of 4 quarter bends, the bends at the outlets of junction boxes not being counted.

"Box off-sets don't count" That is how this particular code was explained to me when I first started, and from numerous people. And yes acceptable for inspected work and many of the now retired Inspectors worked under the same interpetation passed down for decades. In fact since most of the local inspectors here worked under that interpetation too - I think it would be rather easy to get 360 and not include the box off-sets at each end in within reason here. Ya know - for traditions sake.