Gunsmithing McGowen Barrel

[badkrma]

Hey guys, just purchased a McGowen barrel for my Savage Tactical, 110FP and I have a problem (I think...). I want to use 175 gr SMK's but when i check them for OAL (using a case that's split on two sides) I get max of 2.75. I've checked several times so I'm fairly certain that it's an accurate measurment. Here's my question: What do you recomend? Do I go to 155's, go with the 175's seated short or get the throat reamed a bit longer?

Been "lurking" around here long enough that I really trust your judgement, so I appreciate any help!

Almost forgot, it is a 308!

BK

PS: Here's a pic

 

[mwroseberry]

Re: McGowen Barrel

That is extremely strange. It just means your threads start extremely short. I would try seating them shorter and backing the powder loads that is recommended for 2.800 a bit. It won't take as much powder to get the same pressures as the longer seating depth.

Good luck,
Merritt

 

[badkrma]

Re: McGowen Barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mwroseberry</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That is extremely strange. It just means your threads start extremely short. I would try seating them shorter and backing the powder loads that is recommended for 2.800 a bit. It won't take as much powder to get the same pressures as the longer seating depth.

Good luck,
Merritt </div></div>

Thanks Merritt...That's what I thought...
I HAVE shot it but (like you said), with reduced loads. Problem is, I want to get to around 2700 FPS, that's kind of hard to do with "reduced loads"!

I checked a few 155's, SMK's (Palma's) measure 2.858 to the lands. Berger (Palma's) measure 2.880, with Lapua Scenars I get 2.779. I haven't loaded or shot any of the 155's yet, maybe that's what I should concentrate on. Just really wanted to use the 175's though, tryin to get to 1K with consistant accuracy!

Thanks again!!
BK

 

[MDM]

Re: McGowen Barrel

Make sure the bullet slides pretty freely in the case. Best thing to do is get the Hornady overall length gage and case. I've had the bullet jam in the rifling pretty good if it does not slide freely. You could seat them at 2.8 and slowly go down until the bolt closes freely and that would give you an idea if your 2.75 measurement is close.

 

[badkrma]

Re: McGowen Barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MDM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Make sure the bullet slides pretty freely in the case. Best thing to do is get the Hornady overall length gage and case. I've had the bullet jam in the rifling pretty good if it does not slide freely. You could seat them at 2.8 and slowly go down until the bolt closes freely and that would give you an idea if your 2.75 measurement is close. </div></div>

Thanks MDM, they slide free. I chamber them by hand, just pushing it with my finger. I've also used the cleaning rod/stop setup, just to be sure, comes out the same. Guess I just got a short throat.

BK