McGowen Barrel

[G3GUNS]

Not new to the site, but just registered and this is my first post. First, I want to say that this site is excellent.

I'm planning on building a 204 with a savage target action and am looking at barrel selection. I was planning on a Shilen barrel, but surfed the net and seen that McGowen makes a pre-fit barrel. Not familiar with them and wanted your views. Any info would be appreciated.

Also understand sharpshooter supply makes stocks for these actions - is there anyone else?

Thanks,
Eric

 

[vmthtr]

Kevin Rayhill makes stocks, Stockade gunstocks, for the savage.

Mike

 

[KRP]

I've got a McGowen in 6BR on a Savage and it shoots. It's a varmint gun so I've only put 75 and 87gr v-maxes through it and have been very happy so far. It cleans easy, looks nice and most important it shoots well. Joel Russo will cut a stock for the target action also, nice stocks, nice guy, quick turn around.

 

[tightneck]

While I don't have any experience with McGowen barrels, I've heard mixed reports on them. Not so mixed reports for Shilen or PacNor in the prefit market. I'd say either would be a no brainer while I would not be so quick to opt for a McGowen. JMHO

 

[G3GUNS]

Thanks for the replies. I'll check in on the other stock makers. As for now, I'll probably stick to barrels that I know - Shilen, PacNor, Krieger.

Eric

 

[xpfuzz]

I recently put together a 6.5-264 pistol with the Mcgowen barrel and it averages 1/2 inch at 100 with most anything I put through it and cleans up real good...i wouldn`t hesitate to buy another...

 

[shooter1970]

Never used one but my Shilen barrel im 6mm/22-250 shoots like crap!I use a great gunsmith he has built me winning match rifles,but I would never by a shilen again.I am planning to try the mcgowen barrels this fall.

 

[6BR4U2]

I bought one in a 1 in 8 for a .243 ackley #4 shilen contour and all I can say is it shoots and it shoots good they are under new ownership and have good service and they hand lap their stuff ...
I was worried about how it would turn out and I'm not going to hesitate to buy another barrel, great to deal with, go for it

 

[shooter_john]

I reviewed my new McGowen prefit Savage barrel here...

http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/6mmbr/vpost?id=2749073

The McGowens are getting great reviews all around over at savageshooters.com, and I am definitely pleased with mine. So far it is doing much better than the Shilen 6.5x47 Lapua barrel that I sold to finance this one.

 

[6BR4U2]

Thats good to know that it worked for you.
Mine was fitted to a Rem 700 action that used to be a 22-250
and I'm glad to have made the change to my 243 ackley.

I think that they have been under the radar a bit and like I said they were great to deal with and I bought 3 with the original order and will use them again in the future

 

[G3GUNS]

Thanks guys. Thats the kind of info I'm looking for. Cant start the project yet - going pdog hunting next week and fear I'm going to spend a fortune in gas to get there. Planning on building the gun starting this summer, which gives me a little more time to research, but McGowen is looking pretty good from what Ive heard lately.

 

[robbor]

Every board seems to have posts on these barrels. As far as a savage prefit goes I think Id be looking at lothar walther prefits barrels before mcgowen. The LW Is as far as I know the only prefit which is lapped and their chambers are nice and tight with short throats. I looked to mcgowens site and cant seem to get any of their pages to fully load.