Wondered how good ER Shaw barrels were. What kind of accuracy has been gotten out of them. Notice that they only do 1 in 8,10 or 12 twist in a 308 Cal. Will the 1 in 8 work for 208 to 240 grainers or is there gonna be some problems with the twist????
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Re: ER Shaw barrels- Anyone use them????
I had one in 6.5x284. Shot great, despite the tool marks and all the other shit looked like hell. But shot great. As a previous owner, spend a little more, get a better barrel, shoot longer.
I was pleased, but for a little more would have been thrilled.
I had one in 6.5x284. Shot great, despite the tool marks and all the other shit looked like hell. But shot great. As a previous owner, spend a little more, get a better barrel, shoot longer.
I was pleased, but for a little more would have been thrilled.
Re: ER Shaw barrels- Anyone use them????
check out Shilen, and Pac-Nor, they are much more consistant
Steve
check out Shilen, and Pac-Nor, they are much more consistant
Steve
Re: ER Shaw barrels- Anyone use them????
I had one recently installed and it shoots plenty good for me. I've run some Bergers and SMKs through it and it doesn't seem to be too finicky. I have a few loads under 3/4" at 100 yards, so I'm happy. I don't know if that's the barrel's limit or mine, but I didn't burn up hundreds of bullets in load development either. I wanted a low budget rifle to get started, so that is why I went with Shaw. I think it was $315 to re-barrel my rifle at E.R. Shaw including return shipping. No regrets here.
I had one recently installed and it shoots plenty good for me. I've run some Bergers and SMKs through it and it doesn't seem to be too finicky. I have a few loads under 3/4" at 100 yards, so I'm happy. I don't know if that's the barrel's limit or mine, but I didn't burn up hundreds of bullets in load development either. I wanted a low budget rifle to get started, so that is why I went with Shaw. I think it was $315 to re-barrel my rifle at E.R. Shaw including return shipping. No regrets here.
Re: ER Shaw barrels- Anyone use them????
They are often referred to as "tomato stakes", and while that may be a little harsh, I would never recommend investing in one if there is custom 'smithing involved, since you're spending a lot in labor for something that may render mediocre results.
They are clearly budget barrels and perhaps a good value <span style="font-style: italic">for the money</span>, but a little more money will get you something consistently and predictably accurate. If I was paying George or Jared to re-work a rifle for me, I'd never ask them to use one and they'd probably refuse anyway.
That said, I bought a discounted short-chambered 26" .308 barrel from a friend and installed it myself on a secondhand 700 VS that shot like crap with everything it was fed. I finished off the short chamber with a Palma '95 reamer at .002" headspace and it shoots FGMM 175s VERY well, "surprisingly well" even. I often get groups under 1/2 moa, and get enough of them that I would take the blame for those that don't make it. Looking at it with my borescope, I cannot figure out how it shoots at all, but it's not a lot worse than most of the Remingtons I've looked into.
They are often referred to as "tomato stakes", and while that may be a little harsh, I would never recommend investing in one if there is custom 'smithing involved, since you're spending a lot in labor for something that may render mediocre results.
They are clearly budget barrels and perhaps a good value <span style="font-style: italic">for the money</span>, but a little more money will get you something consistently and predictably accurate. If I was paying George or Jared to re-work a rifle for me, I'd never ask them to use one and they'd probably refuse anyway.
That said, I bought a discounted short-chambered 26" .308 barrel from a friend and installed it myself on a secondhand 700 VS that shot like crap with everything it was fed. I finished off the short chamber with a Palma '95 reamer at .002" headspace and it shoots FGMM 175s VERY well, "surprisingly well" even. I often get groups under 1/2 moa, and get enough of them that I would take the blame for those that don't make it. Looking at it with my borescope, I cannot figure out how it shoots at all, but it's not a lot worse than most of the Remingtons I've looked into.
Re: ER Shaw barrels- Anyone use them????
I have a few Midway barrels that I learned to use my lathe with.
I hear they are made by Shaw.
They shoot fairly well, but foul heavily.
The interior finish is poor, lots of pitting in the metal.
They are worth the $69.00 I paid for them, if only for the practise on the lathe. Better for my dumb ass to screw up these barrels while learning.....than a $300.00 barrel.
Were I paying someone to fit a barrel for me, it would be a premium barrel.
I have a few Midway barrels that I learned to use my lathe with.
I hear they are made by Shaw.
They shoot fairly well, but foul heavily.
The interior finish is poor, lots of pitting in the metal.
They are worth the $69.00 I paid for them, if only for the practise on the lathe. Better for my dumb ass to screw up these barrels while learning.....than a $300.00 barrel.
Were I paying someone to fit a barrel for me, it would be a premium barrel.
Re: ER Shaw barrels- Anyone use them????
There are a lot of spec barrels made by ER Shaw. My M4 has an ER Shaw barrel, and shoots good.
There are a lot of spec barrels made by ER Shaw. My M4 has an ER Shaw barrel, and shoots good.
Re: ER Shaw barrels- Anyone use them????
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There are a lot of spec barrels made by ER Shaw. My M4 has an ER Shaw barrel, and shoots good.</div></div> Chad, what kind of accuracy are you getting out of your Shaw. Wanted to make up a 300 Win Mag for LR and hunting. Will a Shaw do it or go with something else.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There are a lot of spec barrels made by ER Shaw. My M4 has an ER Shaw barrel, and shoots good.</div></div> Chad, what kind of accuracy are you getting out of your Shaw. Wanted to make up a 300 Win Mag for LR and hunting. Will a Shaw do it or go with something else.
Re: ER Shaw barrels- Anyone use them????
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MAX100</div><div class="ubbcode-body">McGowen Precision Barrels are excellent and you will have your barrel in about 2 weeks. Others take months.
GC</div></div>
Have been told by several gunsmiths that a McGowen barrel is one of the worst barrels for fouling and accuracy. One told me McGowen took a guys rifle and completely did everything; lapping, truing, bedding, floating etc.. When he got it back couldn't shoot less than 2 inches at 100 yds. Gunny took barrel back off, checked everything, put back together and still wouldn't shoot. Pulled barrel put a Douglas on and it would shoot bug holes. Not a good reference for McGowen for me. And I really had thought about one of there barrels.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MAX100</div><div class="ubbcode-body">McGowen Precision Barrels are excellent and you will have your barrel in about 2 weeks. Others take months.
GC</div></div>
Have been told by several gunsmiths that a McGowen barrel is one of the worst barrels for fouling and accuracy. One told me McGowen took a guys rifle and completely did everything; lapping, truing, bedding, floating etc.. When he got it back couldn't shoot less than 2 inches at 100 yds. Gunny took barrel back off, checked everything, put back together and still wouldn't shoot. Pulled barrel put a Douglas on and it would shoot bug holes. Not a good reference for McGowen for me. And I really had thought about one of there barrels.
Re: ER Shaw barrels- Anyone use them????
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Coyote3</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There are a lot of spec barrels made by ER Shaw. My M4 has an ER Shaw barrel, and shoots good.</div></div> Chad, what kind of accuracy are you getting out of your Shaw. Wanted to make up a 300 Win Mag for LR and hunting. Will a Shaw do it or go with something else. </div></div>
I don't know about the Shaw barrels for a 300 WM. I would think they would be fine. I would prefer cut rifling over button rifling (I don't know what Shaw does). For a bolt rifle, I would highly recommend Bartlein barrels. I have one on my Surgeon 260 Rem and it's crazy accurate. The Shaw on my AR-15 M4 is a mil spec 5.56 barrel. It shoots well with reloads (inch or slightly better) for a basic 16" M4.
Most known barrel makers will give you great results. So, it boils down to who has had experiences with certain mfg's. I have done some load work up on Bartlein, Shillen, and Kreiger barrels, and all shot very well.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Coyote3</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There are a lot of spec barrels made by ER Shaw. My M4 has an ER Shaw barrel, and shoots good.</div></div> Chad, what kind of accuracy are you getting out of your Shaw. Wanted to make up a 300 Win Mag for LR and hunting. Will a Shaw do it or go with something else. </div></div>
I don't know about the Shaw barrels for a 300 WM. I would think they would be fine. I would prefer cut rifling over button rifling (I don't know what Shaw does). For a bolt rifle, I would highly recommend Bartlein barrels. I have one on my Surgeon 260 Rem and it's crazy accurate. The Shaw on my AR-15 M4 is a mil spec 5.56 barrel. It shoots well with reloads (inch or slightly better) for a basic 16" M4.
Most known barrel makers will give you great results. So, it boils down to who has had experiences with certain mfg's. I have done some load work up on Bartlein, Shillen, and Kreiger barrels, and all shot very well.
Re: ER Shaw barrels- Anyone use them????
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have been told by several gunsmiths that a McGowen barrel is one of the worst barrels for fouling and accuracy. One told me McGowen took a guys rifle and completely did everything; lapping, truing, bedding, floating etc.. When he got it back couldn't shoot less than 2 inches at 100 yds. Gunny took barrel back off, checked everything, put back together and still wouldn't shoot. Pulled barrel put a Douglas on and it would shoot bug holes. Not a good reference for McGowen for me. And I really had thought about one of there barrels.
</div></div>
You have realize that all gunsmiths have their favorites and put down the others. They want you to use the ones they like and buy in bulk for a good price. Savage Gunsmithing uses McGowen barrels exclusively and Guarantees 1/2moa if he install one on your action or builds a rifle for you with a McGowen barrel. He won't make that Guarantee with any other barrel. All Gunsmiths have their favorites that doesn't mean other barrels are crap. McGowen hand laps his match barrels and they are excellent shooters.
GC
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have been told by several gunsmiths that a McGowen barrel is one of the worst barrels for fouling and accuracy. One told me McGowen took a guys rifle and completely did everything; lapping, truing, bedding, floating etc.. When he got it back couldn't shoot less than 2 inches at 100 yds. Gunny took barrel back off, checked everything, put back together and still wouldn't shoot. Pulled barrel put a Douglas on and it would shoot bug holes. Not a good reference for McGowen for me. And I really had thought about one of there barrels.
</div></div>
You have realize that all gunsmiths have their favorites and put down the others. They want you to use the ones they like and buy in bulk for a good price. Savage Gunsmithing uses McGowen barrels exclusively and Guarantees 1/2moa if he install one on your action or builds a rifle for you with a McGowen barrel. He won't make that Guarantee with any other barrel. All Gunsmiths have their favorites that doesn't mean other barrels are crap. McGowen hand laps his match barrels and they are excellent shooters.
GC
Re: ER Shaw barrels- Anyone use them????
When I worked for an up & coming AR piston company, our first few hundred barrels were from ER Shaw. They shot well enough & seemed to be consistently 1 MOA barrels. I have seen them shoot well enough that for an economy build where absolute precision is not your first concern, I would use one.
I tend to use them for barrel burning cartridges in the early days of development. Rounds like .22-.243 & .257 & 6.5 STW eat barrels for lunch & a cheap barrel doesn't hurt as much when in needs to be used for re-bar.....
I have put a couple of others on FALs for shits & giggles. I start with a Rem 700 replacement barrel from Shaw at about $100. With a little bit of work, they turn into Uber Fal one & two:
This one now wears a copy of a PSG1 stock (not a PRS) & will shoot less than MOA with FGM.
This one is getting a sear soon.
God, I love being an 07 FFL & SOT.....!
When I worked for an up & coming AR piston company, our first few hundred barrels were from ER Shaw. They shot well enough & seemed to be consistently 1 MOA barrels. I have seen them shoot well enough that for an economy build where absolute precision is not your first concern, I would use one.
I tend to use them for barrel burning cartridges in the early days of development. Rounds like .22-.243 & .257 & 6.5 STW eat barrels for lunch & a cheap barrel doesn't hurt as much when in needs to be used for re-bar.....
I have put a couple of others on FALs for shits & giggles. I start with a Rem 700 replacement barrel from Shaw at about $100. With a little bit of work, they turn into Uber Fal one & two:
This one now wears a copy of a PSG1 stock (not a PRS) & will shoot less than MOA with FGM.
This one is getting a sear soon.
They are a good budget build barrel, but I've seen some shoot with anything. my first custom is a 257ai with helical fluted S/S shaw barrel built off a Ruger M77 that shoots as good as any of my top tier barrels at 300yds and in (that's about max distance I hunt with that rifle). My smith built it not shaw so that may have something to do with it, but I think well of them. I put them as entry level into the custom world. A lot of people dog em, but They have served me well although I only own one shaw barreled gun at this point. YMMV
I decided to try one as a “experiment” on a budget creedmoor build. I was really surprised as I’m getting half MOA out of it. At this point I have no complaints. I can’t say that this has changed my opinion about buying the best you can afford, But for the money I may consider one of these on another rehab project or budget build.
I would have never considered an ER Shaw barrel until I ran across a 24” stainless sporter contour with barrel nut wrench, go and no go gauges on closeout for $200 from Midway. I tried Hornady Superformance 95gr SST’s and they consistently group 1/2” 5 shot groups at 100 yards, I had low expectations of the barrel but have been very pleasantly surprised. The sporter/noodle contour isn’t a target rig but is a known shooter and blows golf ball sized exit holes in whitetails.
ER Shaw upgraded their equipment several years ago.
I recently bought a replacement barrel from them for my sons Howa. I bought it threaded, crowned and short chambered. The work was very good.
There was some confusion when I placed the order and I ended up with the ER Shaw #3, which is a light varmint. It is actually a really nice contour.
I haven't been able to shoot for groups, as the wind has been blowing (15-20 on calm days), on the day it was fairly calm, i went to the range and the scope was giving me problems.
As soon as I can, I'll revisit the thread and provide an update.
I recently bought a replacement barrel from them for my sons Howa. I bought it threaded, crowned and short chambered. The work was very good.
There was some confusion when I placed the order and I ended up with the ER Shaw #3, which is a light varmint. It is actually a really nice contour.
I haven't been able to shoot for groups, as the wind has been blowing (15-20 on calm days), on the day it was fairly calm, i went to the range and the scope was giving me problems.
As soon as I can, I'll revisit the thread and provide an update.
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