McGowan barrels

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devildogg

New member
Has anybody tried a McGowan barrel in the last year or so. There is a lot of negative feedback out there on them. Some have said that they have been putting out some really superb barrels lately. I've got one ordered in a 6.5x47 lapua that's going to be a savage prefit do it myself project and I'm kinda wondering what I'm getting my self into.
 
Originally Posted By: devildoggHas anybody tried a McGowan barrel in the last year or so. There is a lot of negative feedback out there on them. Some have said that they have been putting out some really superb barrels lately. I've got one ordered in a 6.5x47 lapua that's going to be a savage prefit do it myself project and I'm kinda wondering what I'm getting my self into.

I would imagine you are more likely to get a good one than a bad one. I've seen little on the McGowans lately by actual users. I have been reading a couple of guys thumping the tub because that's what they are selling because that's all they can get. I know one guy that is using them and won't admit it.

What I have seen on the accuracy is OK but I believe it is more reflection on the ability of the shooter and quaility of the ammunition than anything. These have been mostly AR's.

Pre-fit Savage barrels are becoming more common. When you develop your data it will be very interesting to all of us. I know my Black Hole I got through Ritch is a shooter and I have five more to try before it is all done so between us we should have some data to compare.

Greg
 
Originally Posted By: PLOTTHOUNDI have two a 284 Winchester and a 338 Federal both are good shooters. I also have a fast twist 22-250 on order.


What twist is the 22-250 going to be? They have always interested me.

Greg
 
Originally Posted By: PLOTTHOUNDGL,

It is 1/8, 24 inch sporter contour.


I can tell you a 50 grain VMAX doesn't like 3750 at all in an 8 twist.

Greg
 
Originally Posted By: GLShooterOriginally Posted By: PLOTTHOUNDGL,

It is 1/8, 24 inch sporter contour.


I can tell you a 50 grain VMAX doesn't like 3750 at all in an 8 twist.

Greg

Interesting. I built a 22-250 late last year, debated on twist for quite sometime before going with a 10. I wanted to run 55gr up to 69's in it, so far it does. I'm working on 65 SGK load right now, may try it on some deer this year. For paper punching I think the 69 smk is tops in my gun.

I haven't tried them yet, but I am probably missing out on 75gr Amax's with the 10 twist.

It seems like many fast twist .22 fans would have us believe there's no downside to overspinning light bullets, but I figured there has to be at some point with fast twist+high velocity.
 
Originally Posted By: Anton ChigurhOriginally Posted By: GLShooterOriginally Posted By: PLOTTHOUNDGL,

It is 1/8, 24 inch sporter contour.


I can tell you a 50 grain VMAX doesn't like 3750 at all in an 8 twist.

Greg

Interesting. I built a 22-250 late last year, debated on twist for quite sometime before going with a 10. I wanted to run 55gr up to 69's in it, so far it does. I'm working on 65 SGK load right now, may try it on some deer this year. For paper punching I think the 69 smk is tops in my gun.

I haven't tried them yet, but I am probably missing out on 75gr Amax's with the 10 twist.

It seems like many fast twist .22 fans would have us believe there's no downside to overspinning light bullets, but I figured there has to be at some point with fast twist+high velocity.

Blowing up bullets in-flight is nothing new. Shot 100 rounds and two didn't make it to the target.



You can see where the bullet is going away. The VMAX has a lighter jacket even for a varmint bullet. A Nosler would handle it with no issues IMHO. I loaded these for PD's becuse if I missed one from blow up it would not be a huge loss. When they hit they were the most devastating 50's I've ever shot.

The fast twist guys have a great plan and I'l shoot heavies in this one all day long but physics is physics.

Greg

BTW I beilieve I had six of those comma bullets show up as I did my load work ups. They were all fast movers. Nothing showed below 3725. The accuracy was extremely good also.
 
I have been burned by shaw and a friend got burned by mcgowen in the past. I don't think I would even take a free barrel from them.
 
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I have a savage prefit in 7mm REM mag and its as good as anything else I've tried. After a train wreck with shilen I just about used a McGowan on my f open 6.5-284.
 
It kinda sounds like either u get a good one or u don't. But I am kinda in a predicament I drew a once in a lifetime cow elk tag for my state and thought hey I'll build a new rifle for this so I called a guy back in July and he said oh ya I should be no problem getting the barrel we would have plenty of time to do this. The season opens October 3. Last week I'm getting really nervous that this isn't going to happen so I called the guy a few times and he didn't seem very excited so I thought u know what it's a savage I have taken this thing completely apart before just send me my action back and I'll take care of it my self so I called mcgowen and told them my situation and they were very helpful. They told me they had a barrel but it was a varmint contour and they could turn it down to the contour I wanted and have it shipped out by next Friday. So I placed my order. I have done a lot of research and I'm having serious second thoughts about these barrels. A lot of the negative things I heard about these barrels were from several years ago and a lot of guys said they have there stuff together now so that is why I asked the question if anyone had one built recently. What kind of accuracy can a guy expect out of a good one. I'm not super anal it's going to a mid range rifle when I'm done hopefully 500 yds or a little better so if I get 3/4" groups I'd be happy with that. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips for installing a prefit barrel on a savage action.
 
I have two buddies we put Mcgowen barrels on in the last month and a half one is a 308 Ai and the other is a 6.5 Creedmoor both guns shoot under quarter inch with no problem. The 308 Ai shoots everything we put through it under half inch both in factory ammo and hand loads. They both seem to clean up really quick with vary few patches. Both of these barrels have made me change my mind about Mcgowen barrels. I have been pretty impressed by them.
 
+1. Capable of .5" groups factory ammo in my case. This was with two different calibers and two different factory loads for each.
 
Here's an update I'll have a few more in the next week also. I called McGowan last Friday and told them what my story was and how I needed a barrel for my elk hunt on the 3rd of oct. They were unreal to work with they put me on hold and got the head gunsmith (I for get his name) he answered all of my questions and told me he a barrel that I was looking for but it was a varmint contour. I told him I was looking for something a little lighter he said we'll re contour it and have it to u by next Friday well it was at my house on Thursday they really came through for me. I have some stock work to do to open up my barrel channel to float the new barrel. I have my headspace gauges and action wrenches ready to roll I'm just waiting for my action to get here which should be here tomorrow then it's go time:) I'll post some pics when I get her put together and some pics of my groups. If you guys don't see another post then my project went south and I'll be to embarrassed to post the pics.:)
 
I love mine. It is a few years old in 300wm and the gun is built well. It doesn't shoot the longer bullets quite like I hoped, but always shoots the bullet it likes at less than 0.5 moa.
 
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