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McGowen Rifle bbls

Any thing you ask on the internet is going to have + or - you’ve got to make the call and yes you can get a good barrel or a bad barrel from and brand
Some of my McGowens compete regularly at 600 and 1k, I have one that’s successfully been to 1150, happy camper
If you go with the McGowen come back here and show us the smile on your face and the money still in your pocket
 
I must have a dozen McGowen prefits, haven't ordered anything else in years. My most accurate rifle is a Bartlein 284Win F-Class build, but my 14lb hunting build 338 Edge with a McGowen prefit shoots right with it (and has placed in ELR matches). I had a couple where I thought I got a bad barrel, but one ended up being a stock issue and the other load development.
 
Bottom Fodder said:
Any thing you ask on the internet is going to have + or - you’ve got to make the call and yes you can get a good barrel or a bad barrel from and brand
Some of my McGowens compete regularly at 600 and 1k, I have one that’s successfully been to 1150, happy camper
If you go with the McGowen come back here and show us the smile on your face and the money still in your pocket
Click to expand...
Haven’t seen any listed on eq. Lists…or in the winners hands…

Makes one wonder…
 
Gabe22BR said:
Haven’t seen any listed on eq. Lists…or in the winners hands…

Makes one wonder…
Click to expand...
Your are probably correct and probably not going see any winner at a National level say they use Sightron scopes , home made Annealers, homemade front rest and a non custom built rifle. Where shooters have sponsors and get free or reduced prices on items. I guess I missed the part were the OP said he was building a rifle to shoot in National events. And set a new world record
Main thing is I very happy with all of mine
 
Bottom Fodder said:
Your are probably correct and probably not going see any winner at a National level say they use Sightron scopes , home made Annealers, homemade front rest and a non custom built rifle. Where shooters have sponsors and get free or reduced prices on items. I guess I missed the part were the OP said he was building a rifle to shoot in National events. And set a new world record
Main thing is I very happy with all of mine
Click to expand...
Yes great point.
I being in the other Brand Equipment Group.....
I use Sightron Scopes and Rifles with Reminton Actions. Brand X made MR and LR F/Open High Master.
Some times you just got use what you got.
 
My experiences with McGowen. I have used them mainly for smokeless muzzleloader builds. Two in particular 45 cals group three shot moa dependably or sub moa regularly . Bore riders.
The bad:
#1 Was their manager Dan who for some years now is no longer there. I’d rather have an abscess tooth than have to deal with him.
- I built a 375 sml about 7 years ago.
( CU jacket bullets are sized to push down the barrel for those that don’t know)
Turned out to be a p.o.s. Had all kinds of issues.
Kept in contact with the actual barrel maker/ machinist/ smith about it.
I endoscoped it and revealed nothing.
The barrel had multiple tight spots. I used pin guages to detect. Clearly detected the problems. Due to other builds and time I shelved the project.

Fast forward. 2024.
The good.
Got it back out and revisited due to available time. Was going to pull the barrel. But thought no.Try one more avenue.
I contacted McGowen and spoke with their new mgr Sam. I found him very polite and helpful. Explained my story above about the 375 barrel. He researched it on their end and found my email problem correspondences with the smith.
Within a short time I was issued a return label and the bbl’d action went back.
Was advised they will be making me new barrel.
I received it and thoroughly checked it out. Scoped. Pin guage. Sized bullets ( multiple brands ) pushed down the barrel with even force. About 20lbs pressure.
Shoots like I hoped for 235 to 275 grainers.

Wrapping up I’d still buy from them. My experience was like they are (now at least ) the Leupold of gun barrels.

My 2 cts.
 
Many years ago, I had McGowen build me a rifle, a 358 Norm Magnum on a 03 Remington action for hunting, I believe I delt with Harry. I've never seen any other 358 Norma shoot better.

I've had some health issues, and the rifle sat as a safe queen for a very long time, I pulled it out checked the bore and shot a 1 1/4" cold bore 3 shot group at 300 yards with Hornady 250 grain SP.

It's certainly a specialty rifle and does what it needs to do.
 
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