McGowern Barrels

[Beartooth83]

Have any of you had experience with McGowen barrels in Kalispell? I'm thinking of selling a couple guns that I never use, and building up one really nice custom. I'd have them re-barrel a Winchester M70 30-06 (that I already own) with a 280 Ackley Improved.


Just looking for any insight.

 

[cowboy]

Their barrels are fine - I have one and been around many more. I have no experience with them as far as their gunsmithing talents. Model 70 win are not the same as switching out a barrel on a Savage or Rem and a lot of gunsmiths are not real excited about trueing up a win. action. That doesn't mean it can't be done and done right.

Go into it with your eyes open and ask a lot of questions. I would suggest you talk to as many people as you can that have done a semi custom or a win action and see what they liked and what they would have done different.

PS: I shoot a full custom in 280AI and have never regretted building it or desire/need to change to anything else. Good choice if you're a competent reloaded. Make sure you get the twist in your barrel for what grain of bullet you intend/want to use.

 

[danr55]

Be sure that if you get a cut rifled barrel you have it lapped really well before you shoot it..

 

[300stw]

think Id go with a lilja out of plains mt,, I have used both,,,,

 

[Big Sky]

Like most quality things as it relates to hunting equipment...you get what you pay for.

 

[MKotur325]

I'm considering overhauling a M70 as well. Took a good look at Mcgowen's website. I have not shot or used any of their barrels, but I'm just going to throw this out there... It makes me leery of a barrel maker when appear to be specializing in "pre fit" or Drop in Barrels. They also do not list any of their tolerances anywhere on the website. That also makes me a bit leery with a barrel maker... To me, the barrel is probably the most critical component of a good custom rifle, and the part I would be least likely to skimp on. If you are going to gut and re-build a Model 70, Lilja makes Great barrels, as do many others. Feel free to do some research, but in my mind, IF I'm going to build a custom rifle, I'm going to be less concerned about the price of the barrel and fitting than the quality of both. Just how my mind works...

 

[danr55]

Everything said is very true. Both Dan Lilja and the folks at McGowen have been making excellent barrels for a long time. Like all things machined, there are tolerances and the closer to nominal and the less variation, the higher the quality. Subsequently the higher the price. Given a preference, I would buy a hammer forged barrel over a cut rifled barrel over a buttoned barrel, but excellent equipment can only do so much. But the best you can afford. With good names like McGowen and Lilja I don't think you can go wrong.