McGowen rimfire barrels...?

[GAnderson]

A friend of mine has an old Remington 592m 5mm rimfire rifle and was thinking of having a McGowen barrel done up for it. Can anyone comment as to first hand experience with their rimfire barrels? They told my friend that they could match the barrel to the original factory contour, so that way he doesn't have to modify the stock. He said they also told him they don't lap their barrels...can anyone comment as to pros and cons of lapping or not? Or is this true or not? Thanks

Gene

 

[butchlambert]

I would recommend a real barrel company.

 

[GAnderson]

I would recommend a real barrel company.

Butch, who would you recommend that would match the factory contour and do the chamber and fitting? Thanks

Gene

 

[butchlambert]

Butch, who would you recommend that would match the factory contour and do the chamber and fitting? Thanks

Gene

I would check with Stan Taylor on this forum. Stan is "the" Douglas barrel guy.

 

[GAnderson]

I would check with Stan Taylor on this forum. Stan is "the" Douglas barrel guy.

I already emailed Douglas and they said they don't do rimfire barrels...?? Or maybe they meant they wouldn't have 5mm rimfire barrels to do the job. Maybe I will check with Stan and see what he says. Thanks

Gene

 

[dstoenner]

I would recommend a real barrel company.

I have had 2 barrels by McGowen, a 260 Remington and a 6x47 Lapua. Both barrels were accurate their whole life. I was not disappointed at all The 260 McGowen replaced a Shilen and I could tell the difference.

Now I know it is not a rimfire but I have to believe they would do a good job.

David

 

[Petey]

My only experience with McGowen prefits we’re with centerfire and for a friend. The break in process was almost 10x’s that of my normal barrel choice of
Krieger.. we’ll over 25 rounds just to clean the barrel up from showing copper…. Not saying it didn’t shoot .. just a bear out of gate.

Let’s just say I sure got hoodwinked for offering to break it in and find a load for him. After that experience, I wouldn’t buy one .. but that’s me and I like Krieger

have you looked at Lilja? Those barrels have won a couple matches in the past.. lol Dan knows his way around a .22 barrel or so I’ve heard

 

[1911nut]

Isn‘t the Remington 5 mm bullet .204?

theres lots of 20 caliber barrels, not sure if centerfire barrels would work for the Remington 5 mm rimfire - groove depth?

then there’s who has a reamer?

 

[1911nut]

A friend of mine has an old Remington 592m 5mm rimfire rifle and was thinking of having a McGowen barrel done up for it. Can anyone comment as to first hand experience with their rimfire barrels? They told my friend that they could match the barrel to the original factory contour, so that way he doesn't have to modify the stock. He said they also told him they don't lap their barrels...can anyone comment as to pros and cons of lapping or not? Or is this true or not? Thanks

Gene

There’s a 5 mm Mag subforum on Rimfire Central - those guys probably know

 

[GAnderson]

Isn‘t the Remington 5 mm bullet .204?

theres lots of 20 caliber barrels, not sure if centerfire barrels would work for the Remington 5 mm rimfire - groove depth?

then there’s who has a reamer?

Ya, not sure on the rimfire versus centerfire and definitely finding a 5mm rimfire reamer. I have talked him out of it for now...it just isn't very cost effective to put that kind of money into something that might not end up shooting any better.

Gene

 

[dutch14]

5mm/25.4 comes out to be more like 19.5 cal. It would be a very loose fit in a 204 barrel.

 

[1911nut]

5mm/25.4 comes out to be more like 19.5 cal. It would be a very loose fit in a 204 barrel.

Case type	Rimfire, bottleneck
Bullet diameter	.204 in (5.2 mm)

 

[dutch14]

To whom it may concern, new production 5mm remington magnum ammunition is available at midwayusa.com for 35.00 a box.

 

[GAnderson]

To whom it may concern, new production 5mm remington magnum ammunition is available at midwayusa.com for 35.00 a box.

Yes, Aquila has been making this since around 2008...unfortunately they are the only ones manufacturing this ammo, so not a lot of choices out there. Been buying it $10 cheaper than Midway's price. Thanks

Gene

 

[Swampbuck]

It is going to depend how accurate he wants the barrel to be. The best barrels in Rimfire Benchrest are Shilen, Benchmark and Mueller. Mueller's are very hard to get and they have a long backorder.

Benchmark, Shilen and Hart would be where I would try. I know Hart will match a contour.

 

[butchlambert]

I was told 6-10 months by Shilen.

 

[butchlambert]

5mm/25.4 comes out to be more like 19.5 cal. It would be a very loose fit in a 204 barrel.

So, what size is a 357?

 

[triggerdog]

So, what size is a 357?

9.1 mm

 

[butchlambert]

9.1 mm

Yeah, like a 380 ain't a 38 cal and a 38 smith ain't a 38 cal.

 

[GAnderson]

It is going to depend how accurate he wants the barrel to be. The best barrels in Rimfire Benchrest are Shilen, Benchmark and Mueller. Mueller's are very hard to get and they have a long backorder.

Benchmark, Shilen and Hart would be where I would try. I know Hart will match a contour.

This is a rimfire with a tubular magazine attached under the barrel...so this isn't just matching the contour and screwing a new barrel on. I'm going to say the above mentioned makers aren't going to take this project on and very doubtful they have a 5mm rimfire reamer. McGowen was the only one that expressed a little interest in doing the complete job, but would not commit unless he sent the rifle in for them to look at and then determine if they would give it a go. I am sure the cost would have been too prohibitive by the time it was all said and done and very likely would not shoot any better than it does now...and not because the barrel may or may not be sub par...you are limited to one manufacturer of this rimfire ammo...so no room for improvement there.
I have convinced him to leave this rifle as is from the factory. I do appreciate everyone's responses. Thanks

Gene