McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

[firestorm1284]

Hello Hiders, wondering if anyone has tried a barrel from McGowen Precision. I'm looking at possibly buying a new barrel for a savage action from them in .223. The purpose is for paper punching and prairie dog hunting, so accuracy is THE main goal.

I have purchased one barrel from them in the past for a .300 Whisper, also in a savage action. That thing would not group at all. I tried every bullet that was supposed to work well, and could not get better than 3" groups at 100 yards, unacceptable. However, that was a wildcat cartridge, and there may have been some error in the load development on my part. Regardless, it should have done better than 3", and I can't help but think it had something to do with that barrel - although it looked very nice.

I'm considering them again, due to their price, but don't want to end up with a barrel that can't shoot. Does anyone have any experience with them, good or bad?

 

[Tucsondave]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

My 22-250 Ackely is a McGowen,shoots fantastically! Having a 20" .260 done with one also. No Worries

 

[firestorm1284]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

Tucson, what kind of groups are you getting with it?

 

[firestorm1284]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

I also forgot to mention that when I installed the barrel and went to put the barrel nut on, the threads were INCREDIBLY tight. So tight, I had trouble turning it with a very long wrench, and the barrel kept spinning in my barrel vise.

The barrel nut worked just fine on a different savage barrel I had.

 

[JWV]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

I had the same thing happen when I was taking off a McGowan with a defect. I know they had some QC problems at the time but they have figured it all out. They are producing some superb barrels at a great price right now. Consider Criterion barrels if you are looking for a savage pre-fit. They are the button rifling division of Kreiger and are at a super cheap price until the end of summer. I just got one in 260 AI and it is very promising after 24 rounds.

 

[billyburl2]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

No problems with my McGowan! Chambered in.300 WSM, groups after load development of around .5. Overall I have been very impressed so far. I did not have any of the fit/thread problems either.

 

[firestorm1284]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

Well it's good to hear that I may have just gotten a lemon. The thing is, I can get a custom barrel from them for 260 bucks right now. That's absurd! I looked at those Criterion's as well, looks like their pricing is very similar currently.

The only thing is I'm not sure if I want a 26" barrel, I was thinking maybe 22 or 24".

Between the Criterion and the McGowen, which would you guys recommend?

 

[Tacticalrum]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

Got a 28" Mcgowen on 300 RUM and it shoots lights out. Broke in quick and shoots well under moa

 

[firestorm1284]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

All these positive reports make me wonder what was up with mine. Other than the SUPER tight fitting threads, the machining all looked good. Once it was put together and headspaced, everything seemed GTG, but it just would not shoot.

Now that my fear of McGowen is put to rest, I still would like recommendations on the Criterion vs. McGowen

 

[Heronion]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

I received my 26" McGowen in .308 last month. There was no "breaking in" required for me at all. Just installed the barrel (with a new nut and lug) and took it to the range. Three rounds to get on paper, followed by a 0.34" 3-shot group and a 0.71" 5-shot group. Needless to say, I'm EXTREMELY pleased.

 

[firestorm1284]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

Wow, that IS a shooter. Any range reports on the criterion?

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

LOTS of reports on the CBI (Criterion) barrels on Savage Shooters...they have universally been positive.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just wanted to give an update on my CBI barrel in .308. The barrel is a 28" long bull barrel. This is my first build and it only took me about 1hr to swap the barrel out and drimmel the barrel channel out some on a Dura Maxx stock. This rifle is showing signs of excellent accuracy. The first 4 5-shot groups I shot were .250,.267,.586,.526, Using 44.5gr of Varget behind a 168gr Hornady A-Max. Needless to say I'm am addicted to building Savage rifles.</div></div>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I bought a Criterion, 28", Bull, 1:10, chambered in .308 from Jim Briggs about 2-3 months ago. It shot pretty good right from the get go, but now it's a dinger. A lot of things have come in to play so it's very hard to say which have had the greatest impact. More than anything, I think it's 1) the quality of hand loads, 2) the barrel and 3) moving from Sierra to Berger bullets.

In the beginning I was shooting 190gr Sierra SMKs. I was shooting this heavier bullet because I don't consider myself much of a wind reader. The rifle with the Criterion barrel was about 1 MOA shooting the Sierras. I decided to try some different bullets. After re-reading an article on AccurateShooter by John Whidden, I decided to try 155gr Bergers (not VLD, just FMJ BHTP). The following targets were shot at MCB, Quantico, VA on a rare windless day at 100yds.

What is on the target is incorrectly stated as 43gr Varget. Actually it was 44gr. 10 rounds. I shot these after firing 5 rounds to foul the clean barrel a bit.
</div></div>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here's a little range report on my new CBI. Its a 28 inch SS Varmint Taper on a standard shank and chambered in 6BR with a 1-8" twist.
This group was shot today under calm weather conditions. I did shoot 1 and clean for the first shot and then every 3 up through shot #20. Let the barrel cool and clean again. Then made this 5 shot group at 100yds.

Sorry about the blurry shot, had to use my phone camera again, since the Kodak was being difficult as ussual.
Shot measured .331" center to center of the two farthest shots. Load was a 58gr V-Max over Varget and a CCI Small Rifle Primer. It was just the starting load in my manual and I would say it shows real promise.

This CBI is going to be a real shooter I think.</div></div>

I have a 26" 260 Rem tube, it shoots better than me right now.

Need to scrape up the funds to get another one...can't decide on a 6BR, 6XC, or 9 twist 22-250....

 

[MDM]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

No good at all. How can you expect a $250 barrel to shoot with a $400 barrel?

All sarcasm aside, I've had 3 of them and they all shoot sub .5 moa easily. I had first round hits on 9"x10" steel at 1100 and 1050 yards last week with my Savage in 6.5 Lapua, and it was my first ever attempt at those targets. Yep, they will shoot.

 

[mbrittan]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

I have a McGowen in 223Rem, at 26" long that has shot a few different loads with great results, (sub moa & better). At 211 yards I have a six shot group that measures .809inches center-to-center. I am happy with how this barrel shots, and with how easily it cleans.

 

[JWV]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

I would go criterion. I just shot 630 yards with mine today and it shot great. Some guy also just tied the fclass world record with one. They have been dominating the Garand scene for sometime. McGowans are good but I just don't think they are on par with the criterion.

 

[mwroseberry]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

My McGowen CM shoots 1/2MOA all day long. Specs in my sig.

Good luck,
Merritt

 

[gopherslayer]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: firestorm1284</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hello Hiders, wondering if anyone has tried a barrel from McGowen Precision. I'm looking at possibly buying a new barrel for a savage action from them in .223. The purpose is for paper punching and prairie dog hunting, so accuracy is THE main goal.


I'm considering them again, due to their price, </div></div>

I think Kreiger CBI barrels are cheaper for now and their accuracy is stellar so far. Mc Gowen was spotty for a while and for that reason I avoided them. Kreiger's rep is excellent and doesn't want to screw it up for a cheaper barrel.
I have a 260 28" bull twisted 1:8 sitting on my bench right now. Gonna order a stock this weekend and hopefully screw the barrel on in the next couple of weeks.

 

[JWV]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

PS. The Criterions are at introductory pricing. In September, expect a big increase. This was from Jim Briggs of Northland Shooter Supply, the distributor of the CBI barrels.

 

[firestorm1284]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

Thanks for all the help guys. It sounds like once the Criterions have their price increase I would have a very tough time deciding what to go with. However, given that they are basically the same price right now, and given my poor experience with McGowen, and all the positive feedback on the Criterions - I think I'll go with the Criterion.

 

[head2h2o]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

I picked up a 260 barrel sometime back from them. It shoots great, but their customer service was less than spectacular. Hopefully that has changed by now.

 

[Dennis338]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

I have two McGowen Barrel. Both are very accurate. Easy breakin, very little copper during breakin. I have a friend who bought a Centurion, it's accurate, but it's taking a long time to get rid of the copper.

 

[josephberry]

Re: McGowen Barrels - Are they any good?

My first McGowen was for my 300 blackout. It shoots very well.