Shilen vs McGowen?

[82boy]

Nice shooting Patrick!
Thank you, I shot a few groups like this today. Once I get new brass for this thing I think it will be a competitive barrel. Once the barrel is broke in it may shoot a bit better. I would like to see it shoot a bit smaller, and I think it is in the cards.

[Captlink]

The group is impressive what is the gun set up and did you build it.

[82boy]

The group is impressive what is the gun set up and did you build it.

Yes I built it. It started life as a Savage Model 11 pre accu-trigger. It has a custom made laminate stock, similar in design to a Tom Meredith TMBR. It was T&Ted by SSS, with an Evolution trigger that breaks at 2ozs. It has a SSS made PPC bolt head, and flings cases like nobody's business. It has one of the first fluted bolt bodies that SSS did. I have a set of Tally rings on the gun, and with a Savage varmint contour barrel, cut at 22 inches makes the gun weighs in at 10.2 lbs. Prior to the McGowan barrel I have a Krieger barrel chambered in 6 PPC, and have shot some great groups with it. (Aggs in the mid .2's) Also at one time I had a 30BT Douglass barrel on the gun and shot many small groups with it, but the recoil was a bit more than I likes so I sold the barrel. I also have added weight to the gun placed a 8 twist 6br barrel and shot some 600 yard match's, again the gun did well. Here are some pictures.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/HPIM1813.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/82boy/media/HPIM1813.jpg.html)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/advatarebr.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/82boy/media/advatarebr.jpg.html)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/HPIM1574.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/82boy/media/HPIM1574.jpg.html)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/HPIM1573.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/82boy/media/HPIM1573.jpg.html)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/HPIM1572.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/82boy/media/HPIM1572.jpg.html)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/HPIM1571.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/82boy/media/HPIM1571.jpg.html)
30BR barrel
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/30Brtest1001.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/82boy/media/30Brtest1001.jpg.html)
Krieger 6PPC barrel
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/scan0002-2-1-1.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/82boy/media/scan0002-2-1-1.jpg.html)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/scan0003-2.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/82boy/media/scan0003-2.jpg.html)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/scan0003-1.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/82boy/media/scan0003-1.jpg.html)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/scan0004.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/82boy/media/scan0004.jpg.html)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/scan0002-1.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/82boy/media/scan0002-1.jpg.html)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/scan-1.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/82boy/media/scan-1.jpg.html)

[Westcliffe01]

A Savage select match barrel from NSS is <$350 complete. It makes no financial sense to buy a blank and pay someone to chamber and crown it for a Savage, and if it fails to perform neither the blank maker not the Smith is going to accept responsibility for it. Given that Shilen makes complete prefits barrels, you have a warranty when buying one of them that is effective. It would be the same way when buying a prefit from McGowan or CBI. As soon as a 3rd party cuts on it, forget about any warranty, same if you use the fire lapping system.

My Shilen barrels have been the best performing barrels I have owned. Given that Lilja and others do not make prefit barrels, I have not had cause to deal with them and I have gotten rid of my last Remington rifle so will never need anything but prefits in the future. If you need a barrel in a less popular twist rate, caliber or chambering, going with a prefit will not save any time compared to the custom route, but it is less expensive overall and you are buying 1 vendors final product. That alone is worth a lot since you know that their reputation is based on delivering that product to the highest standard.

[Captlink]

Nice build!
I have been looking at the 30BR and Krieger to break into Bench Rest shooting I'm undecided on class at this time but will listen as I know little to nothing about the sport.
It would take me hours on end to cut that bolt body and I bet SSS did with the push of a button :frusty:

[Dennis]

82boy, I would put money on this rifle shooting <.200 groups as the norm. Groups look great. Dennis

[82boy]

Nice build!
I have been looking at the 30BR and Krieger to break into Bench Rest shooting I'm undecided on class at this time but will listen as I know little to nothing about the sport.

Honestly if your looking to compete in Benchrest you best bet is to go to a couple of match's, and see what everyone else is doing. By the time you put the money into a Savage you will have the cost of a used custom action rifle, and I hate to say it you would be better off with the custom action rifle. In short range Benchrest (100-300 yards) you have group shooting, and score shooting. In group you have Light varmint, Heavy varmint, Sporter, and unlimited. A light gun will fit in all of these classes. In score, you have hunter, and varmint, and again the light varmint for group shooting will work in varmint class. With that said a light varmint rifle would be your best bet. Right now Krieger's wait time is 16 months for a blank, and honestly they will not shoot any better than the other barrels made. I would steer you away from the 30 br, the cartridge is labor intensive, Bullets are super hard to find, and the recoil is punishing at best, and honestly it will not outshine a 6 PPC.

[Captlink]

Appreciate the input.
I may never compete but want to build a hyper accurate rifle for myself.
It's funny you mention bullets I just got off the Corbin page.:cool:
I like the life of a cut barrel and for all the work involved doing it less is good.
I have a 10FP fit for rework or I may cut my own action time will tell.
Nothing is set in stone I am looking at all options.

[82boy]

Appreciate the input.
I may never compete but want to build a hyper accurate rifle for myself.
It's funny you mention bullets I just got off the Corbin page.:cool:
I like the life of a cut barrel and for all the work involved doing it less is good.
I have a 10FP fit for rework or I may cut my own action time will tell.
Nothing is set in stone I am looking at all options.

Life of a cut barrel, and a button rifle barrel is hardly notable. Barrel life depends more on the amount of powder burnt. In a 6 PPC we can get great accuracy out of one up to and past 4000 rounds. If you planning on building your own action, I would recommend getting Stuart Otteson's book on bechrest actions. The sad thing is there is nothing new, everything is just a rehashed idea from the past. The Panda has been virtually unchanged since 1971, the Bat actions are copies of the old Shilen actions. Untimely they are all Remington 700 clones. I have had some ideas on making an action, maybe some day they will be put to practice.

[Captlink]

I have the Otteson book and for the last many years I have been gathering tools to build my own actions.The last critical pieces are falling into place.My experience with cut barrels is from my service days shooting a M-40 with the M-118 the life and accuracy of the combination were impressive.
I would love to discuss your ideas I have a few of my own a collaboration is possible.

[82boy]

How bad is tis group? I was fire forming new brass in my McGowan 22 PPC, when out from under my wooden bench comes a angry swarm of Hornets'. After I got stung twice, once in the arm, and the other in my leg. I moved to another bench, and with no wind flags shot this group. this is 5 shots at 100 yards, after being stung.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/82boy/22ppcfireform001_zpsed1c360c.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/82boy/media/22ppcfireform001_zpsed1c360c.jpg.html)

[Dennis]

Looks Great!