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I am from Canada and dont have great access to aftermarket barrels. I can get McGowen and Shilen products. I am on a bit of a budget and the McGowen is a little cheaper. It have read quite a bit about them and people seem pretty happy with them. In your opinion Is the shilen really worth the extra price?
Honestly, I can't tell you if the Shilen is worth the extra money, even though I own one. What I can tell you based on comments here is that you should be happy with a McGowen barrel. The preceding statement is based on the assumption that you intend to use either one for hunting, beyond that I have no experience to draw on.
I have 3 McGowens and 1 Shilen SS. McGowan is pretty good for hunting and better than stock, for sure. I shoot targets every week end and the Shilen shoots better. 1" groups vs 2" groups for McGowen is not much, especially for hunting at 300 yds.
Some results from my load development of son's 300 win mag McGowen barrel.
300 Win Mag Remington 700-McGowan 1-10" 26"
180GR Sierra SPBT #2160 Powder C.O.L. Start Max Most Accurate Group H1000 3.340" 71.2 79.2 78.0 .254" IMR4831 3.340" 67.2 73.8 72.0 .693" H4350 3.340" 63.0 67.0 66.5 .929"
185GR Berger Match Grade ClassicHunter #BG30571 Powder C.O.L. Start Max Most Accurate Group H4350 3.340" 64.5 67.7 66.0 .332" IMR4831 3.340" 65.0 68.2 68.0 .449" H1000 3.340" 75.5 79.5 78.5 .652" VihtN560 3.340" 71.5 75.2 74.0 .241"
Feed it the right combo and McGowens will shoot. I also have Shilens and they will shoot too.
I have a Shilen, I thought it was worth the bit extra.
I target shoot.
McGowan had issues for a while but I think that's behind them now they are in Montana and up to speed.
So don't know anyone can answer the "worth it", that's more of individual review position.
Generally speaking, and this has some real broad brushstrokes here.. Generally a more refined(hand lapped with unicorn lard, blessed by the pope, etc) barrel will be slightly faster to shoot in a more settled manor, and for it's usable life, be slightly easier to clean. So what does that mean practically speaking? Well if you believe in Voodoo, and cleaning every 3rd shot until the rapture, then I feel bad for you; but don't know what a practical advantage to either is. If you are of a mind that must clean by the numbers, but not relating to group size, it still won't matter. If you are more concerned about rounds fired until groups fall, then the higher priced one may be your ticket.
I don't really know if the higher priced one would give you better round count.
Shilen is my easiest one to clean. I like that and that's what I would order in the future (one caveat, the 7.5 Swiss and that's a Walther Lother as they carry that caliber)
I think McGowan is more an XC type and that is about 30% more cleaning needed.
As long as you get a good barrel, then the end results are too close to call.
As Shilen is a on shop does all (pre fit) that would be a bias in their favor. If it don't shoot then its only on entity responsible.
Having someone did a McGowan blank into a Savage pre fit, then you have the gun smith and McGowan involved.