Help with Barrel Selection

[dkynoch]

Hi,

I have not posted here much but have reading treads here for several years. I am in the process of figuring out a build. I am wondering what opinions some of you have on barrels. I have built rifles using Brux, Bartlein, and McGowen. They have all shot very well. The Mcgowen barrels where pre fit ar-15 barrels. The higher end barrels where on 7mm builds.

I am planning a new rifle and am considering using a McGowen for it. I have a lathe and the ability to do my own chambering and I have blueprinted Remington 700 actions that I put the Brux and Bartlein barrels on; these rifle shot phenomenally. The reason for trying a McGowen is the cost. I am on more of a budget now. I can get a contoured McGowen blank for $195 and the others are $350.

I have been competitive in F/TR with a Savage that I put a CBI barrel on that I set back a little and rechambered last year to get a better chamber and throat dimension that I want. I have shot 3/4 inch groups with this rifle at 300 yards. I am thinking that a McGowen should be similar quality because both barrels are manufactured using similar practices. The ARs that I put McGowens on have all shot under 1/2 MOA at 100 yards; which is good for an AR pre fit with a SAMMI chamber.

My pan for the rifle is a blueprinted 700 action, Bell and Carlson stock, and chambered in 6 CM. I really want to start shooting precision rifle matches and maybe in the next year or so start shooting some PRS matches; I am sick of F-Class!

Am I crazy for thinking of not just using a Brux or Bartlein? I want the rifle to shot as good as possible; with the right loads I hope to get 1/4 MOA.

Thanks
Dave

 

[D_TROS]

Dave,

not crazy. and don't chase the accuracy thing too much, as a sub 1moa rifle will do just as good in a PRS match as a 1/4moa rifle (if one truly exists that's not BR), and if it does, the shooting conditions will limit you, not your rifle. I have yet to see a target a 1MOA rifle couldnt hit at a PRS match, and that is a know your limits dot at 100 yds (1/4" dot), and I have seen VERY few of these 1/2moa all day rifles hit that dot. I have seen people waste tons of time/$$ doing load workup/seating depth/neck tension/yada yada that it makes me sick. Just get out there and shoot.

More importantly is the questions you should be asking yourself...will it matter to me MENTALLY if I don't spend that extra $150 for peace of mind? Once you get closer to the top, you cant be second guessing your equipment, which is why people spend what they do. Also, after spending thousands on transportation, motel fees, match fees, reloading ammo, the price of a barrel is negligible.

Its a fine line, but at end of the day, I have a Bartlein on my match rifle. Last years barrel was Brux. My next barrel ordered is a Bruz. If you shoot F-Class you already know what a good barrel can do when you have spotters and unlimited time etc. but this isn't F-class. I came over from point blank bench rest because I felt THAT was a gear race. Tactical matches, to me, highlight a shooters abilities more than anything, and why it prob wont matter which quality barrel you use. as long as YOU accept that.

YMMV
DT

 

[Brux]

JMO,If you all ready have what works why change?Sounds like you can already save alot of money by doing your own chambering.I don't have any McGowen barrels so I can't comment on them.But I guess if your budget is $195.00 for a barrel you don't have a choice.

 

[HodgdonExtreme]

The McGowen is probably fine, but as DTros said, $100-150 is negligible in the scheme of precision rifle shooting, especially when you are in 60th percentile and up where every point matters. Also, the barrel is the single most important part of the systems accuracy, behind the rifleman himself.

Confidence in your gear is super crucial. If you have ANY doubt in the McGowen (and I'm guessing you do because you're asking), it'll cost you points due to lack of confidence and the frustration of wondering if that miss *could of* been the barrel.

Also, you shouldn't have to pay $350 for a premium barrel. Bartleins are the priciest at $335. Obermeyers are $310 or so.

 

[billyburl2]

I have a pre-threaded pre-chambered McGowan barrel on my Savage, and it is as accurate as I am on any given day. It does not foul badly, and it cleans easily. It has lasted for over 1000 rounds of 300 WSM so far...

 

[dkynoch]

Thanks for the advise guys. I am not sure what I will do yet. The biggest priority for me is to have fun! I stopped having fun shooting f-class and that is why I want to switch.

I don't think I will get to serious shooting PRS matches the first few years. I am only planning on shooting one official PRS match a year the next few years just to go rub shoulders with good shooters and see what they are doing and have fun. There is one scheduled close to me this year in Sept.

Dave

 

[Sniper260]

Id go cheap until you get real real reeaal good at chambering barrels...