McGowen Barrels

[camel]

I purchased two of these a year of so ago, one 30 cal and another 22, don't see many out here, just wondering what they are like ? Probably should have asked before buying but it just kinda happened.
The 30 has been fitted to a Zastava action and is chambered in 300Win Mag, the 22 will be fitted in the next few weeks to a Zastava M85 action that was a 7.62x39 and will be a 22PPC. The bloke doing the fitting reckoned the 30 barrel was one of the hardest he has chambered.

[MrMajestic]

As with all barrels, some swear by them and others swear at them. Button rifled if that matters.

[Bill K]

I have had only one McGowen so far, it is on a 6mm Rem. and it shoots like a house of fire. Very accurate. Bill K

[georgeld]

Camel:

Is there anyone over there that does the freeze treatment?
I had one done in the blank. Gunsmith that turned it said that was the easiest turning blank he'd ever done. He had been turning them first then having them frozen. Said from that experience he'd have the blank frozen first before turning. Just a thought.

[Daryl]

I have used a number of McGowen barrels over the year - from .257 to .50 cal. they've all been great "shooters".

[SmokinJoe]

I had one in 204 Ruger that shot in the .1's sometimes & .2's most of the rest. And yes, get them cryo'd before fitting & chambering.

[Chuck Miller]

I've had 3, 2 of the early Harry McGowen barrels which were no better than some of the cheaper offerings found today. Average accuracy and hard to clean. Another was one of the new barrels in 17 caliber which is very nice. Bore scoping tells the difference, rough versus smooth.

[malahini40]

I have used Harrys barrels for over -- well since 1973. NEVER had a bad one. ALL shot MOA or better.
Aloha, Mark

[Hippy]

I have one on a Salvage in 6BR it shoots as good as I can the only Issue is the chamber is on the Large size as Wilson Hand dies will not work with it. Planning on making it a Dasher

Jim

[Eagle_view]

I have used McGowen barrels off and on for the past 9-10 years or so. They have all shot very well, most have been 0.204 1:12 twist but have done others in 0.243, 0.348, and 0.308.

I have been to their first factory in Kalispell (they bought a new larger building and moved since then) and watched them make barrels.

They were doing a batch for Cooper according to the shipping tags that I observed when we walked past a pallet being prepared for shipment. They had other contracts that were going to well known manufactures also.

They had some innovative and NEW machinery. Their rifling machine was newly built, not a rework of WWII or WWI machines. Staff was working hard and proud of what they were making.

Lowell