Thoughts on McGowen barrels?

[Nefarioud]

I just received a .243 match chambered (no idea?) 8 twist McGowen barrel from a member here. I presume that these are along the lines of Shilen etc. I just wondered if anyone has any experience with these and how they do. I'm going to a match on Sunday with my LRPV and wondered if I should screw this on something and bring it along.

[coyotewallace]

I like mine...6.5x47L and the same action you have. It's headed to the range tomorrow to play.
take it with you...see what she will do. let us know

By the way I would be slinging some 105 A-Max's out of that barrel the first chance I got

[jc]

I have a Mcgowan 1 in 8 chambered in 243win and it shoots 3/8moa pretty consistently. I have shot 105 burgers and 105 amax and they both shoot about the same. In fact just for fun I shot a 5 shot group with 3 bergers and 2 amax at 100 yards that was under 1/2". I have since gone with the amax for to cost and have shot sub 3/4 moa at 950 yards with them.
I ordered my 2nd Mcgowan in a 338 edge today.

[Lee C.]

NefariousD, Alot of people think the the McGowen barrels are not that good. But thats ok with me. As it's just gives more for use other guys. I have two of there barrels as of right now and they both are shooting in the .1s for group size. one is a 204 and the other is a 6.5x47L that i'm stell working on the load for it.

here is the last load i worked up for my 6.5x47 this was a test just to slow it down a bet at 100yds.

RL15 powder 39.o gr. .008 off the lands
2959 slowest
2965 fastest
2962 avg
ES 5.80
SD 3.00
group size .182 at 100 yds.

So that should show ya if ya put the work in to fine a good load they are some pretty good barrels.

[GaCop]

McGowan had some issues not long ago but they seem to have gotten things back on track.

[nhm16]

I have a McGowen in .260 Rem and a Douglas in 6mm Rem, the Douglas was chambered by SSS. The Douglas is without a doubt more accurate, it can shoot in the .3's if I do my part, the .260 is will only shoot in the .5's. On the other hand the McGowen only cost me $320 or so from NSS, which is not much more than the cost of the bare Krieger and Rock blanks that I have ordered.

[sinman]

I like mcgowens when I do the machine work to them

[CRNA]

Well, I will let you know soon. I have a McGowan 26" varmint barrel, 1:9 twist, stainless that I am putting on my Model 111 in 7mm Rem Mag. I will be hand-loading, so my ammo should be very accurate. We'll see. I do now so far that I recieved my barrel 3 weeks after ordering it. Shilen was 5 months behind.

[fatdaddy]

I like mcgowens when I do the machine work to them



+1... I now have 3 Mcgowans and all 3 are capable of screamer groups.
They clean quickly and are not quick the foul up. What more can you want. BTW, The last one was a straight tube, SS, with Devins brake, 22-250 A.I.. This is now my "go to" Pdog gun. It just sits there when fired, recoil is much like a .22LR. Like all barrels with brakes, its LOUD!!! Devin did good yet again. Bill

[Jamie]

My 17" Mcgowen 1:8 243 WIn seems to be just fine. After finding the load I shot the first group then made scope adjustment and fired the next. Not sure if I pulled the first group closed or the second one open but I can live with either. Yep, both are three shot groups. I will let you know in a week or so how my 6mm-284 Mcgowen turns out.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r52/sigshooter/DSC00785.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r52/sigshooter/DSC00786.jpg

[Appleseed]

I have a .223 and had a .20vt chambered by Devin at Sinn Arms, both blanks from McGowen. Both shooting groups like Jamie , this .223 does it with 55-82 grain bullets in 8 twist. So I agree it matters who does the cambering. And Devin does great work! (please don't order any until he finishes my .221fb). And my rifles aren't anything special, factory hunting stocks and actions. The .223 cleans good, probably one of the easiest I've broken in yet. The .20vt was a bit fussy, but I think it was my choice of ball powder.

[Blue Avenger]

I like mcgowens when I do the machine work to them
YUP!

[CRNA]

When you guys say that you are satisfied with the McGowans when you do the machine work, what kind of work are you talking about?

[guhunter]

Sinman is a gunsmith. He gets barrel blanks and then does the barrel threading, chambering and crowning (basically turns a blank into a ready to install barrel).

[Blue Avenger]

When you guys say that you are satisfied with the McGowans when you do the machine work, what kind of work are you talking about?
everything but make the barrel.

[CRNA]

Oh, I see. So what is it that you don't like about how McGowan's are machined? Just curious cause I have one that is being put on a build I am working on now. It's going on a model 111. Thanks for the info.

[Blue Avenger]

there were some errors in machining in the past. that may be cured. have not heard any complaints for a little while now.

threads not cut right, chambers cut and or polished out of round.

[Jamie]

Mine was cut by Mcgowen and just screwed together by me. I have only had the two barrels but both look good to me and the 6-284 screwed on with no issues. Still haven't got around to shooting it yet though.