McGowen barrel

[Spike A]

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?

 

[7stubby]

I had a 223 remington 8 twist (sold it as went a different direction). Currently have a 6BRX barrel I use to use for Fclass. Both shoot good but not as nice as my Brux barrels I have now. Both clean up ok. For a prefit savage barrel they are decent barrels.

 

[Spike A]

i just ordered a criterion barrel, but there are no more out there, and they are calling a 10-14 week make time. so hes looking for something else and was wondering about McGowen barrels. We are just starting to get our feet wet in long distance shooting so i dont think we would really benifit from the higher priced barrels like a brux right now.

 

[sawcarver]

McGowan makes a very good barrel. I have shot mine in 6.5 Creedmoor out past 1k and know several other people that have them and have had very good luck with them

 

[Spike A]

That's funny because that's the exact caliber we are getting into .. What are your barrel specs if you don't mind me asking?

 

[CaptainMal]

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.

 

[Spike A]

Well we are beginning to stretch out to 500 and beyond .. So would like it to be capable of that.. But neither of us are what I would call competition capable yet... Need a lot more practice before big time and that's why we want a little cheaper end barrel to put rounds down ... Everyone tells me that compared to factory barrels that we are used to that most aftermarket barrels will shoot better than factory?

 

[chevytruck_83]

I had a 6mmbr barrel from them. Customer service was extremely good and the barrel wasn't bad. I'd say it was around a 3/4 moa barrel with my reloads. Not quite as accurate as my hawk hill barrel but I'd say they are a great option for the price point. I got the McGowan in a few days. My hawk hill and the gunsmithing I was out of a gun for a little over a year.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Had a Savage LRPV in 204 Ruger that had a McGowen prefit on it when I got it. Never shot it much, but one morning was checking some loads in it with 40 grain bullets and shot 2 groups in the mid teens, so they can shoot, but as always YMMV. See my answer on the Douglas barrel thread above. Good luck with your endeavours.

 

[Chappy]

Waiting on one right now finished at 27" in a light Palma contour that'll be chambered for .25-06 AI.

 

[jghoghunter]

I have one on a 722 in 222 rem. It shoots great with 52 gr. smk's and shoots relatively well with 60 gr JLK.

 

[WSM01]

I've installed the pre fits on savage actions .....2 for myself in the .264" bore (6.5 WSM & 6.5 creed ) also a 6-284, 264 win mag & 30-06 for a buddy. No issues at all & all shot very well. I believe they would fit your needs , we've shot all but the 30-06 to 1000 yards under MOA & better.

 

[5spd]

The 3 I had on my savage builds & were all sub moa shooters. Not 1 single issue with them. I still have 1 in 6x45 that just keeps on shooting small groups & has 4k rounds through it.

 

[nmkid]

I'm waiting on my 6mm-284 from McGowen. Maybe this month. I already had it in my hot hands but, sent it back to have some extra work done. So, here I sit. I had them install a brake initially and the fit was beyond nice! Hope it shoots as good.

 

[gotcha]

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.

 

[jghoghunter]

gotcha
You quoted captainmal post and then didn't add anything to it. What is the reason for this? I see others do it also. I am just wondering why.

 

[gotcha]

Yep, I had a problem with a McGowen bbl. also. Rear of chamber was oversize allowing cases to expand too much. I returned the bbl., they shortened & re-chambered. ........... All was good and it shot exceptionally well with 52 grain Bergers........ They were going through Q.C. problems at the time but have since resolved their issues. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another but, I'd also take a hard look at Douglas premium at this price point. I have one of each and both perform very well (both .223 cal.)

 

[gotcha]

gotcha
You quoted captainmal post and then didn't add anything to it. What is the reason for this? I see others do it also. I am just wondering why.

Thanks! Not sure what is going on? I've noticed a few others apparently having the same problem. It could very well be ME & not the computer............... Though I've not had this issue in the past.

 

[jghoghunter]

Thanks! Not sure what is going on? I've noticed a few others apparently having the same problem. It could very well be ME & not the computer............... Though I've not had this issue in the past.

I was just wondering I have seen it other times here and now think maybe it a problem sometimes. Like one of them electrical issues on your car, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't and it takes 6 months to figure out.

 

[STOMP442]

I am currently running a .260AI McGowen prefit on my Savage Match rifle and it is by far the most accurate barrel I own. This thing shoots fantastic and has put me at the top or second place in all of our local matches over the last couple years. I also built a 6mmBR for my wife with a McGowen that also shoots very well. She won the match last Saturday, she beat me by one point and I haven't heard the end of that one yet.