McGowen barrel

[10at6]

I had one..It sucked. Too many other choices to go with another.
Would not consider buying one unless they get their schitt together.
Criterion for a winner is my advice

 

[urbanrifleman]

I borescope every barrel I chamber, have Hawkeye and Lyman. Can't tell the difference between a McGowen, Hart, Bartlien or Kreiger.

I just got a Lyman boresope and I am shocked to see the same thing. One the inside, most of the name brand barrels have the same fit and finish inside.

 

[fyrewall]

Most of my rifles have McGowen barrels. I am a casual shooter with modest expectations. The McGowen barrels perform equally as well as Hart, Krieger, and Lilja barrels that I have owned or have now; I always use good bullets and carefully maintain my barrels. There are many variables concerning rifle accuracy that are beyond the control of the barrel maker. McGowen barrels always meet my expectations. The McGowen workers and management are always helpful and respond immediately and cheerfully to my reasonable inquires. Upon visiting the McGowen shop to either drop off or pick up work, I see that they are extremely busy with high production (like stacks of barrels) and have many loyal customers including myself. With reasonable skills the McGowen web site can be successfully navigated to acquire desired information. Upon peering down my McGowen barrels, they glisten like mirrors. EOS

 

[BW64]

Yeah well my chamber is at .474 at the base & everyone else I talk to or measure their brass is at .471. I'm running the brass 3 times through the sizing die on a Forster press!!!!

BW

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Yeah well my chamber is at .474 at the base & everyone else I talk to or measure their brass is at .471. I'm running the brass 3 times through the sizing die on a Forster press!!!!

BW

Barrel issue with mcgowan?

 

[butchlambert]

Yeah well my chamber is at .474 at the base & everyone else I talk to or measure their brass is at .471. I'm running the brass 3 times through the sizing die on a Forster press!!!!

BW

Sir, you need another die.

 

[nmkid]

I have a 25-06 with a McGowen. It coppers up rather easily but, it's a humdinger of a shooter!! Although it coppers up fast it's very easy to clean.

 

[BW64]

Sir, you need another die.

It's an RCBS fl sizer. Doesn't seem to have a problem with my buddy's brass. Of course his don't measure .474 at the base. I've also tried another die & same problem. This is the second barrel from McGowen with this problem. I refuse to deal with the asshat that answers the phone! The barrel shoots lights out. Just goes through brass.

BW

 

[BW64]

Barrel issue with mcgowan?

Seems that way but I won't call them. Asshat that answers the phone has no skills.

BW

 

[L.Sherm]

Seems that way but I won't call them. Asshat that answers the phone has no skills.

BW

I literally cant believe the guy that answered the phone who immediately got an attitude.
If it was my company I would send his a$$ packin.

 

[BW64]

I literally cant believe the guy that answered the phone who immediately got an attitude.
If it was my company I would send his a$$ packin.

Yep! Same here. All I wanted was the address to send the barrel back & if I had to note it to someone's attention!!! Right out of the box he said I was yelling at him!! LOL

BW

 

[butchlambert]

Well, let me think on this. IF YOU KNOW FOR SURE that the base of your chamber is .474, a full length die should fix it. I've always had an easier time sizing brass for an oversize chamber.
I have never used or had any experience with McGowen or how they handle their clients. I'm not jumping on them or giving them a pat on the back. I would let a qualified smith check it first.

 

[fyrewall]

Be nice BW64! Possibly, if your sent the nice folks at McGowen 3 un-sized fired pieces brass, with a note pleading your case, this might initiate some negotiations to resolve the problem. Possibly the barrel could be set back one turn and rechambered. They will be real busy in a month or so turning out work for fall hunting. Possibly, a cheerful, non-threatening, neutral 3rd party might be able to initiate dialog.

 

[BW64]

Be nice BW64! Possibly, if your sent the nice folks at McGowen 3 un-sized fired pieces brass, with a note pleading your case, this might initiate some negotiations to resolve the problem. Possibly the barrel could be set back one turn and rechambered. They will be real busy in a month or so turning out work for fall hunting. Possibly, a cheerful, non-threatening, neutral 3rd party might be able to initiate dialog.

Did that with the first barrel. This time it's going to a gunsmith I trust. I'll eat the cost. Like I said all I wanted was an address & the guy goes off on me!!

BW

 

[Lucky Shooter]

I talked to their gunsmith about a perceived problem and they sent me another barrel.

Don't remember his name but he was a straight talker who understood what I had to say.

Might be worth the effort to talk to him.

A. Weldy

 

[ChillFlow]

I had a real bad experience with one I bought and fitted. Flat out would not "shoot". Taken off and given to two other quality shooters, they tried and also gave up.

Later on my gunsmith started having trouble and they were not cooperative. Barrels were way out of concentricity. Not one. Think it was three in a row. Discussion with them showed Mcgowan resistant and miserable. He ( Eric Bostrom) no longer will deal with them.

On the other hand, others that had them installed did find them good. Think Savagedasher still has one or two on some of his rifles but he also now refuses to buy any more.

I am talking long-range benchrest usage. Your usage and expectations may be dramatically different.

I know this is an old thread. I got McGowan to rebarrel a rifle a few years back, I ordered a 24" 1:8 twist .284 barrel and got a 22" 1:8.5 twist .284, called and they said too bad for your luck and that the warranty was out of date. Well I understand the length part but the twist rate??? I'll never do business with them again.

 

[tharger]

Has anyone ever heard of anyone using one of these barrels? or have one of these? I am just curious on if these are decent barrels, i mean i know they arent top of the line barrels but for the money i am just asking?

have one on a rpr in .243. shoots great.

 

[jelenko]

I know this is an old thread. I got McGowan to rebarrel a rifle a few years back, I ordered a 24" 1:8 twist .284 barrel and got a 22" 1:8.5 twist .284, called and they said too bad for your luck and that the warranty was out of date. Well I understand the length part but the twist rate??? I'll never do business with them again.

How long after you received the barrel did you call them?

 

[ChillFlow]

How long after you received the barrel did you call them?

It was 8 months.