new mcgowen barrel will not break in...

I got my new mcgowen barrel in that I ordered from Jim at NSS who was a pleasure to work with, I had my new barrel within one week. The new barrel was chambered in 30-06, well after getting barrel on and headspaced I took it to the range to break it in. To make a long story short after I had shot over 22 shots thru the barrel I was still getting just as much copper as I was on the first shot. To say the least I was quite frustrated. So after talking to Jim and a few emails from mcgowen I have sent the barrel back to them to see what the problem is. I did notice quite a few tool marks on the crown and after I took barrel off yesterday I could see a burr about 2 inches down from the crown. The people at mcgowen responded quick to all my questions and said if it was anything wrong with the barrel that they caused they would fix it or replace it free of charge so we will see what the verdict is in the coming weeks. Just my luck on my first barrel job I get a bad one. I guess it happens though, I have not written mcgowen off just yet.

They had to cut 3/8" off of my barrel to get rid of a poor lap job. I am about ready to get rid of mine. Hope you have better luck than I have had.

my mcgowens been fantastic. i dont want them not gettin a fair shake from those of us happy w their barrels. mines a LS 308 bull, coppered a bit for the first 50 rounds or so, but never as much as a factory barrel. took it to a LR shootin course, and after the first day of heavy shootin when we went back to clean our rifles, mine had durn near no copper. 700 rnds later now its still a lights out shooter, and is the easiest cleaning barrel ive owned.

What I an hearing MOST are good, but there are a few slipping through. But then I hear that about some other makers also. If you think about what they are actually doing to a piece of metal I think it is to be expected to have some mechanical failures. They need to work on there visual inspection to slow them getting out..

I have a McGowen that shoots pretty good (.5 consistently, ocasionally .35) and it does not foul that bad. I am pretty happy with it as it is one of the most accurate rifles I've ever owned.

I have a .308 McGowen that is a real shooter. Like the other guy's bbl, mine coppered a little for the first 50 rounds, but then settled in to be a real pleasure to shoot and clean.

well its been 4 weeks since i sent the barrel back and i have called twice and they have yet been able to tell me where in the process my barrel is or what was wrong with it. they keep telling me they will call me back when they find out. i understand it could take awhile for them to get around to it and that is fine but i would like to get a straight answer when i talk to them.

You talking to John? Shot show is over so every one should be back.

I had the same experience when contacting McGowen. Left a message, no return. Sent E-mail, no reply. Called and spoke to somebody, said they would check on my order and call me back, no call. Called a week later, got somebody, they looked up my order after saying that I should go through Jim (Northlander) for customer service. A comment was made about them providing customer service for people that order through others but I ignored it. I just wanted to check on the order, it had been 5 weeks, and to see if they could send me a tracking number when it shipped. Turned out the barrel had shipped and he gave me the tracking number. I hope their barrel turns out to be better than their people skills. So far, I'm slightly regretting my order though no fault of Jim, he was great. Now I'm concerned based on what I've read here and what I have experience. I really hope I don't have any problems.

Mike

yes i have been talking to jon and he was wonderful about helping me get my barrel back to him. we exchanged at least 5 emails one day and all the help was great. well after i have sent the barrel back to them everytime i call i get a... i will check on it and call you back but they never call me back. and with my work schedule right now i can only call on fridays. i just want an answer, i told them i dont care when it gets done just give me an update...lie to me, i dont care just tell me somthing

McGowen would prefer that my customers call me and not call McGowen. If you do have an issue or a concern allow me to be of assistance.

McGowen is in the process of moving to a larger facility. When they start their move delivery times may go out an additional 2 weeks due to the fact that they are not producing product while they are moving.

With the SHOT Show and the following Engravers Show McGowen has been working with their Sales Mgr. (Jon) out of the office. This is putting a lot of pressure on the other guys in the office to do their jobs as well as answering Jon's questions. Again, if you have a question please let me know first.

Jim Briggs
NSS

hey jim this is jacob, i did talk to you a couple of times and i told you i talked to them. you then told me it would be quicker just to go through them so that is what i did. i got off the phone with them yesterday and finally got an answer after 5 weeks!! they said nothing is wrong with the barrel even though i have had a gun smith look at it and he says the crown is messed up and there is a burr in it. all mcgowen said they would do is re-lap it. so anyway im just waiting to get it back and even if the barrel does start shooting good i will not be buying another one from mcgowen. and people on here have said it takes there mcgowen 50 or more shots to break in...well a custom barrel should not take that long especially when my cuz got his barrel in on the same weekend as i did and after 4 shots his shillen was broken in with no copper fouling. maybe my barrel is not the norm for them but i will not be a repeat customer. i also want to say that i would do business again with jim nothing against him at all just a little upset with mcgowen...

well i finally got my barrel back from mcgowen. we didnt have time to work up a load and shoot a good group but mcgowen did fix the copper fouling problem and they fixed the crown marks and the chip on the end of barrel so im happy so far that there is no fouling at all. i cant wait to see what kind of group it can shoot ;D

I got a 30-06 barrel from McGowen last summer. After having carefully installing it to a bedded action, I couldn't get it to shoot very accurately with any of three bullets that I tried and with 4350 powder. I'm not sure if the problem is in the barrel or not, but I was in a hurry to get it ready for deer hunting, so I just called it good. Accuracy was 1.5-2 MOA at 100 yards. I thought it would perform with 56-58 grains 4350 and a 165 Interbond. I tried a few other combinations as well, too. I'm not about to spend lots of money and time trying to find something that'll shoot the way this barrel should shoot, but I didn't have any trouble shooting my deer either.

I have a 26" Mcgowen 260 rem. Barrel in 1-8.5 twist. I have been trying to find a load it likes but can't get under 1 moa yet. I have been up and down the charge scale using H4831sc and Berger 130gn VLD's, Hornady 140gn Amax, and now Sierra 142gn Match kings. The barrel shows little to no fouling and cleans like a dream. We are gong to load some other powders and see how that goes. I am also going to swap scopes as well, but i suspect my 4200 elite is just fine. My friend is shooting a Bartlein 260rem barrel on his Remington 700 based rifle and is shooting 1" 5 shot groups at 300 yds. I would think I should be able to get .5 moa groups if the barrel is good. I will keep you guys posted.

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Originally Posted by mfilippello

I have a 26" Mcgowen 260 rem. Barrel in 1-8.5 twist. I have been trying to find a load it likes but can't get under 1 moa yet. I have been up and down the charge scale using H4831sc and Berger 130gn VLD's, Hornady 140gn Amax, and now Sierra 142gn Match kings. The barrel shows little to no fouling and cleans like a dream. We are gong to load some other powders and see how that goes. I am also going to swap scopes as well, but i suspect my 4200 elite is just fine. My friend is shooting a Bartlein 260rem barrel on his Remington 700 based rifle and is shooting 1" 5 shot groups at 300 yds. I would think I should be able to get .5 moa groups if the barrel is good. I will keep you guys posted.

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A Bartlein is a step (or 2 or 3) above a McGowen. I would expect it to be better.

My Mcgowen in 6.5x55 swede is an exceptional shooter. Minimal copper fouling, and cleans easiliy. Even when it was new. On the other hand, i bought a Shillen a couple of years ago and it has been well under my expectations. Hard to find a load it liked, copper fouling was worse then any new factory Savage barrel i've ever had. Took probably a hundred rounds thru it before the fouling problem eased up. Still not as accurate as the Mcgowen.
So i would say that you can get a stinker from any of them. But for now, If i buy another barrel, it will be from Mcgowen.

I have 3 17" threaded blanks I got from McGowen back when they first started. There now chambered in .22-250 AI, 6.5 rem mag & 6BR. All 3 shoot under .5 moa and clean easy.
In my case, they were bought for there price, not there reputation. There reputation was earned after that.
I am beginning to suspect if time is a big issue, you might be time ahead to buy blanks and have some one else do the work that is more assessable. If there are issues, you go down the street and get it fixed. But then "crowns" seem to be an issue with all the low end barrels no matter the maker.

Also a thing to remember when you cut a 1/2" off a barrel and re-crown it. When it started to shoot .3 moa instead of the former 1.7 moa. That missing 1/2" totally change the harmonics of the barrel and may be more the reason it now shoots .3!

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Originally Posted by Blue Avenger

I have 3 17" threaded blanks I got from McGowen back when they first started. There now chambered in .22-250 AI, 6.5 rem mag & 6BR. All 3 shoot under .5 moa and clean easy.
In my case, they were bought for there price, not there reputation. There reputation was earned after that.
I am beginning to suspect if time is a big issue, you might be time ahead to buy blanks and have some one else do the work that is more assessable. If there are issues, you go down the street and get it fixed. But then "crowns" seem to be an issue with all the low end barrels no matter the maker.

Also a thing to remember when you cut a 1/2" off a barrel and re-crown it. When it started to shoot .3 moa instead of the former 1.7 moa. That missing 1/2" totally change the harmonics of the barrel and may be more the reason it now shoots .3!

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+ 1

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Originally Posted by mfilippello

I have a 26" Mcgowen 260 rem. Barrel in 1-8.5 twist. I have been trying to find a load it likes but can't get under 1 moa yet. I have been up and down the charge scale using H4831sc and Berger 130gn VLD's, Hornady 140gn Amax, and now Sierra 142gn Match kings. The barrel shows little to no fouling and cleans like a dream. We are gong to load some other powders and see how that goes. I am also going to swap scopes as well, but i suspect my 4200 elite is just fine. My friend is shooting a Bartlein 260rem barrel on his Remington 700 based rifle and is shooting 1" 5 shot groups at 300 yds. I would think I should be able to get .5 moa groups if the barrel is good. I will keep you guys posted.

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I have a Bartlein 260 22inch on my remmy, I use Berger 140 vld's with 43grns of H4350, 5 shoots covered with a penny. Try H4350 powder. Ive used Varget, 4350, and 4831. H4350 works for me. Oddly enough my gun doesn't care if I jump the bullet or seat it on the lands.

Thanks lads I just figured out a barrel manufacture to scratch off the list of many,many many custom barrel manufactures ....sounds like way to much drama for the price.

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Originally Posted by Jonathan

Thanks lads I just figured out a barrel manufacture to scratch off the list of many,many many custom barrel manufactures ....sounds like way to much drama for the price.

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Any of the problems mentioned here could and have happened to any of the barrel makers. McGowen makes a very, very nice barrel. I have 3 and all of them shoot well under 1/2moa with little effort.

Thanks for scratching them off your list and saving more options for me ;)

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Originally Posted by pdog06

Thanks for scratching them off your list and saving more options for me ;)

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Well if you can get your barrel from them, your having better luck that me. I have been repetitively lied to by McGowen about what has actually happen to the barrel I purchased. Sad thing is, I know the history of why the barrel I paid for was on clearance. I actually tried to set the headspace for my friend went we found out the threads were too short to start with. When the dust finally does settle with them I will share our full correspondence that go back a couple of months. Every returned message is yet another excuse. My patience was worn out. Tell the truth of the matter or just refund my money.

PO'd, Tim

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Originally Posted by tiny68

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Originally Posted by pdog06

Thanks for scratching them off your list and saving more options for me ;)

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Well if you can get your barrel from them, your having better luck that me. I have been repetitively lied to by McGowen about what has actually happen to the barrel I purchased. Sad thing is, I know the history of why the barrel I paid for was on clearance. I actually tried to set the headspace for my friend went we found out the threads were too short to start with. When the dust finally does settle with them I will share our full correspondence that go back a couple of months. Every returned message is yet another excuse. My patience was worn out. Tell the truth of the matter or just refund my money.

PO'd, Tim

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hmmm Thanks Pdog 06 I think that is a compliment ...you go a head and weed out all the lemons would ya ...thanks dude! Any Barrel that goes on my gun will be right or replaced ...now! not 4 months from now or when ya get around to it and ...(if true) barrel burs and tool marks in the crown!?!?!? (if true)
are they getting convicts to hammer barrels in stead of lic. plates lol not kidding
aside from that I would think these would be pretty simple tasks for a barrel (manufacture) to complete properly. as for the move, are they moving to a bigger facility or bigger garage? (if True)

I totally understand your frustration and anger Tiny, and I would be just as PO'd if not more if mine had ended up the same way. I too know the real reason these were on clearance. I may have lucked out on mine cause it went on with no problems, and I broke it in yesterday and it shot 3/4moa or less with no trouble at all using a load from another gun.

I am not saying McGowen cant do anything wrong, just stating that these kinda things can and will happen to all of the companies at one point or another. Now it is just Mcgowens turn. Last month it was everybody bashing SSS. Yesterday a guy here came on and his first post was Savages are total junk cause he has problems with his ejecting. They all build a lemon now and then, but it doesnt mean that everything they build is junk.There is plenty of proof out there to show that. It looks like you definately got a lemon and it is a shame to see them not holding up there end of the bargain to make things right for you. I can only hope your deal is the exception and not the rule. I truly wish you the best of luck in getting your refund. Please do keep us informed of what happens.

Jonathan, I see where you're coming from. If I was in the market for a barrel and was comparing brands, I would definately cross them off my short list too after reading this thread. But there are a ton of other threads here where guys have had nothing but great service and outstanding accuracy from McGowen. Bottom line is whoever you go with there is always a chance at getting a lemon. I know a couple gunsmiths that absolutely will not use a Shilen blank. Dont know their reasons, but I've never had a problem with their product either.

I have had problems with Shilen on a couple of barrels. The thing about Shilen that I like is that the admitted there was a mistake and they expedited the repair/replacement. I have had many conversations with Wade Hull at Shilen. One barrel went back 3 times to get right and I still had to do a little sanding to make it work (I just didn't want to wait another couple of weeks). However, each time I spoke with Wade or others at Shilen - they keep their word. That is all I can expect. As far as SSS, I set on the list for over a year to get my first action T&T. For the money, it was well worth the cost and wait. They have T&T ever action I own. Gunsmiths are few and far between where I live. I have tried most of the local ones. It is common to drop and gun off and find out 3-6 months later it still hasn't been touched even on a simple repair. I don't know if they are just that busy or just don't care. I had a rifle built by Dave Tooley (Fall of Hame BR shooter and gunsmith). That build took well over a year once he had my action. Well worth the wait in my opinion. The waiting list for some of the top BR builders is 2-3 years.

The time part I can deal with. I just can't stand to be lied too. My grandpa taught be a saying that I live by "Burn me once, shame on you. Burn me twice, shame on me". I rarely give a company a second chance unless there is not option in the matter. It is just the way I am. I have a brand new McGowen 223 barrel that I purchased from a forum member last year. I am about to sell or take it just because I am so put out with the service of McGowen and I need a large shank I need a std shank for my son an F/class rig. I can't tell you about their quality. I haven't put a bullet down range yet in one of their barrels.

There is a long story about the barrel that I purchased on clearance by the original buyer. It is the same. McGowen never admitted to fault and wouldn't repair the threads after 2 months (the thread were cut too short to headspace). What made me madder is that they gave my buddy a tracking number, but after 2 weeks they had still never shipped the barrel. More lies.....

My 2 cents, Tim

I get alot of mcgowen blanks in but I have had trouble get blanks I ordered. I have one 338 barrel I have been waiting about 3 months for or more.

I scratched McGowen off my list a long time ago because of integrity issues starting at the top(owner)!

I use to feel sorry for Dan and Jon ( Jon is no longer there). Jon's replacement knows less about guns and barrel making than my little finger. Fortunately I got out while I felt they made a good barrel.

I refuse to send a nickel to an organization that has an owner without integrity. That is why I went with benchmark barrels many months ago. That and Ron at Benchmark taught the McGowen boys a few tricks of the trade on how to make a good barrel.

This is just my personal opinion. I have never received a bad barrel from McGowen.

Neal

Ya Aaron makes me wonder some days. I do wish Jon was still there.

My $0.02 on McGowan.

A 338 Edge barrel and a 300 WM barrel.

300 barrel purchased from Jim at NSS. Took a looooooong time to break-in. Like 60-70 shots or so. Now there is very little fouling and it shoots under 0.5 MOA.

338 Edge, pretty major communication issues and two missed deadlines. I stayed after them and was polite and they waived some charges and I got another barrel that shot under 0.5 MOA with much easier break-in.

I believe I'd own another one...purchased from someone that had the barrel sitting on the shelf. ;D

all of you having accuracy problems it may help you to look
at this site and learn what OCW is.
and ask some questions there.

http://practicalrifler.6.forumer.com/