McGowan barrel exchange on savage

[Jonl]

I just changed the barrel on my Savage 16 22-250 with a 9 twist varmint barrel.This was my first effort at rebarreling but I was not thrilled with the accuracy of the standard barrel and I have high hopes. I put the barrel on with a go gage and tried factory ammo in and it chambered no problem. I stuck a bullet in a fire formed neck sized case from the old barrel and wouldn't,t come close to closing. Full length and fine. Was the factory chamber loose. I hope that is a positive for the new barrel. I can,t wait to shoot them bug hole groups you guys always talk about. This is the second Savage I have and I love them. I may get me 10 barrels for each one like my bench rest friends

 

[savageshooter86]

Most likely the factory barrel had a larger chamber and neck. So the brass is expanded and therefore won't chamber in new chamber

 

[A_Gamehog]

This was my first effort at rebarreling

That's most likely the issue, go /no go are required if you don't do the barrel change over often.

It's simple, put the go gauge in, screw the barrel in against the gauge and bolt closed, till it won't turn any more with your hands only (no wrenches!). Finger tight the nut, then try the no/ go gauge. It should not close with the no-go. Then tighten , re-check.

Full length size your brass like you do for any new rifle. The chambers will always be different from different makers. Different reamers.

 

[jonbearman]

The freebore should be shorter in the mcgowen meaning you dont have to hang your bullets out to the end of the neck anymore. PS: If you go to the mcgowen outlet site you can look up the reamer specs they use.

 

[XTR]

Switching non FL sized cases between any rifles is a recipe for stuck cases. I have two 308 chambers cut with the same reamer, one was the first chamber the reamer cut, the other was the fourth. Brass from #1 will stick in#4. Headspace on the chambers is identical.

You need to FL everything. If it is still tight the base of the brass back where the die doesn't really get to it has expanded in the factory chamber and you'll need to run it through a small base die once.

 

[Jonl]

I just shot this barrel for the first time.. After full length resizing all cases I loaded 50 rounds with 2 different 50 and 52 grain bullets and started with 38 gr. of H380. The first shot locked the bolt up and once I got it open showed flat primer and cratered primer and was obviously too hot. This same load went to 40 grains in the factory barrel with no problem. My Speer book shows 38 to 42 gr of H380 but my Berger book shows 34.5 to 38.5. Once I got the case out I shot a 5 shot group with remington factory ammo, no problem and 1/2 " at 100. Excited about accuracy but why does this barrel show such pressure when the factory barrel did not?

 

[DennisH]

Each barrel is different. Each will have it's own load it likes.

New barrel, start with new brass.

We use match reamers and they produce tight chambers.

I have ran into this a few times.

Dennis

 

[Shynloco]

Most likely the factory barrel had a larger chamber and neck. So the brass is expanded and therefore won't chamber in new chamber

And that folks is the truth of the matter!

Alex

 

[masterblaster1]

Check your COAL with the Hornady tool, I found my chamber tight and shorter than the factory, if you are seating to the lands you will get a pressure spike.

 

[Raythemanroe]

^^^^^

Ray

 

[MGYSGT]

You say you full length resized, but did you trim to length? You might be getting an unintentional crimp at the neck.

 

[Tim Singleton]

You say you full length resized, but did you trim to length? You might be getting an unintentional crimp at the neck.

Yep
Look for shiny spots on fired case mouth

 

[jonbearman]

I worked u to the imfamous 38.0 grains of h380 in a stock remington and it is way to hot for my gun.In fact h380 is not my favorite powder for 22-250 anyways.I just wanted to see what the hoopla was all about.

 

[Jonl]

I full length resized the brass and the length was slightly over trim to length.there was no problem with chambering the rounds The bullets were seated to coal of 2.350. My first experience with match barrels. I am going back to virgin brass and start at 34.5 gr. of H380 which is Berger's book starting load and chrono the loads and see where I am at. Like everyone else I can't find much powder to try. I did find some 70 grain Bergers which should do great in this 9 twist barrel. Any recommendation on powder would be appreciated.

 

[DennisH]

I love 35.5 grns of RL 15 using 52 grain Bergers, CCI 450's.

For what I use the rifle for, this is perfect for me. I can usually put all my shots in one cloverleaf hole.

Start @ 34.0 grains and work up. I used the COAL from the Lyman reloading manual.

 

[jonbearman]

Dennis that is some good shooting right there! Are you still using your shaw barrel? LOL Only kidding,those mcgowens really shoot dont they!

 

[DennisH]

LOL, Every barrel I have set up (app 13) has shot 1/2 moa or better @ 100 yds .

My first barrel was a 6.5x47L, and I can show a picture just like the above, 5 shots and less than .1 moa.

That how I got involved with McGowen.

Dennis

 

[Jonl]

Dennis, Is RL -15 Reloader 15 powder?

 

[Jonl]

Dennis, Also do you have extractors on hand. I broke mine getting that stuck case out. Funny, I've started out at 35 grains of H380 and worked up to 37 1/2 with the same brass and great accuracy and no pressure signs. Did you maybe leave a plug in the barrel that I was supposed to remove before I shot it the first time. Just kidding. Love the barrel and plan on getting more for this gun and a long action that I have. I am glad Shilen could not get me a barrel for 6 months.Next time I am in your area I plan on stopping by and chatting with you. JonL

 

[DennisH]

Dennis, Is RL -15 Reloader 15 powder?

Yes