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Post by ratsnakeboogy on Jan 31, 2011 9:09:53 GMT -5
I happened upon this site a while ago, but never really had any intention to go smokeless. I ordered Hunter's conversion which is in the mail now. I am going to use the first one for BH209. I have another Remington that I guess is going to be my build gun now since you people have peaked my interest.
Which barrel company should I go with? I know PacNor is proven, but at almost half the cost McGowen is certainly attractive.
I am just a hunter, so I want to keep the weight as close to factory as possible. I am reading conflicting opinions on what is "safe" contour wise. I don't need 1/2 minute of angle at 100 yards, although I won't complain about it either. I do need something that can be carried through the mountain country in East Tennessee without making me regret my choice due to massive weight.
There's just so many options, I would appreciate any input you can provide.
Thanks,
Don
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Post by fishhawk on Jan 31, 2011 9:43:47 GMT -5
I'm waiting to see the results of the couple Mc Gowans being built for members right now.
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Post by rossman40 on Jan 31, 2011 10:25:09 GMT -5
I know Henry Ball used to use McGowen barrels but that was before the company switched hands a few years back. Supposedly there was a problem with chambering for CF but from what I have heard that has been corrected. No major complaints from the serious CF guys. Now they are starting to get popular, the time has gone from 2 weeks to like 4+.
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Post by ratsnakeboogy on Jan 31, 2011 10:44:59 GMT -5
I don't mind the wait so much as knowing it is safe contour wise. I will be converting a 700ML, so I think I just need another Hunter conversion, a savage plug, and a barrel right? The price seems to be awesome as well on the McGowens. I will pay for the PacNor if I have to, but like I said I'm not shooting 300 yards and 1/2 moa is not a necessity for what I will use it for.
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Post by dannoboone on Jan 31, 2011 18:57:05 GMT -5
Could be a wrong assumption (don't think so), but I believe with
smokeless, one needs to accept more weight for safety reasons
than would be needed for BP & subs.
Does anyone have a McGowen barrel up & runnin'?
I'm going for a switch barrel using a McGowen .45, but it's a
couple weeks out yet. Probably be March before this one gets
tested. This barrel is 26", .800" @ the muzzle, and 4lbs. I
question the 4#, think it will be more like 5-6.
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Post by alphaburnt on Jan 31, 2011 19:31:59 GMT -5
Me three!
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Post by hoz on Jan 31, 2011 19:57:42 GMT -5
I just sent my bolt out to hunter for the conversion. When that gets back I will be ordering the McGowen. I have been in contact and all seems good to go. I will be sending my action, new recoil lug and Savage breech plug to them. They will put it all together and do any headspacing. Only thing I have left to do is pick a contour. I would like to put it in a Boyd's thumbhole stock and do not want a ton of inletting to do. Also not sure if the 6 groove 1 in 22 or the 8 groove 1 in 18 is the way to go. I am such a newbie, with a lot to learn. Having fun doing it though!
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Post by fishhawk on Jan 31, 2011 22:32:21 GMT -5
Hoz, if your going to use sabots, get the 8 groove.
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Post by onecardchuck on Jan 31, 2011 22:35:42 GMT -5
I just ordered my Pacnor today and here is why I choose that route after talking to Dave D.
1) Dave put a lot of time and effort into getting Pacnor to this when no one else would, and Pacnor worked with him to make a great setup. We all owe Dave and Pacnor a lot and I would not want to risk loosing this relationship.
2) Pacnor stands behind every barrel they make including these one off Muzzleloader barrels. Dave has steered them a lot of business, but we are a small amount of the work they do hence the 8 to 10 week lead time. If my barrel comes in from Pacnor and is not a shooter and I have exhausted every possible avenue guess what they will make me a new one free of charge. Can you get that from this other barrel maker?
3) I would rather go with the barrel maker with a longer lead time because he is the guy who is making barrels more barrels everyday and is probably the better of the barrel makers.
3) Look at the results these Pacnor barrels give.
A 100 to 150 dollar saving doesn't sound so good when you put it into perspective does it.
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Post by alphaburnt on Feb 1, 2011 0:24:52 GMT -5
I say $100 is pretty good savings, there is a lot unknown about Savage-barrels. Respected barrel maker McGowen is making them, Savage-barrels are ordering them in and doing the machine work. The contours is what I am afraid to break tradition on and the 8 groove/land 1:22 twist. Pacnor may have some competition, I hope to find out real soon.
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Post by ratsnakeboogy on Feb 1, 2011 8:58:50 GMT -5
I realize the work that has been done, and I appreciate DD and PacNor(I have a PAC on my .358 winny), but if it will hunt $150-$175 is a lot of money to me. I am new to this, very new. I think competition is good for all involved. If you only have one source for something, the prices usually continues to go up. Competition brings prices down considereably. I know McGowen makes good barrels, I don't know about the quality of work that Savage-barrels.com does on their end. I just wanted opinions on what was safe, I'm not going to push the envelope much, I just want a deer rig.
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Post by onecardchuck on Feb 1, 2011 11:16:02 GMT -5
I realize the work that has been done, and I appreciate DD and PacNor(I have a PAC on my .358 winny), but if it will hunt $150-$175 is a lot of money to me. I am new to this, very new. I think competition is good for all involved. If you only have one source for something, the prices usually continues to go up. Competition brings prices down considereably. I know McGowen makes good barrels, I don't know about the quality of work that Savage-barrels.com does on their end. I just wanted opinions on what was safe, I'm not going to push the envelope much, I just want a deer rig. I agree competition is a good thing, but my point earlier is that we are not even close to Pacnor's main source of income. So I doubt highly they will come down in price. My fear is that if the number of orders drops for these barrels that they will then drop making them all together. Then you will be right back where we were one manufacturer controlling the prices. I just wanted to share with everyone things that helped me make my choice. If curiosity or price point are a big factor then perhaps the savage-barrels.com are right for that individual. |
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Post by spoonover on Mar 9, 2011 20:37:36 GMT -5
Have mine from Mcgowen and have been to the range twice. Groups are running 2.5" and that is with the 200 grain SST's and there supplied sabots. Have ran some duplex 4759/h332 loads and 45 grain 4759 loads. I am hoping things get better when harvester sabots come in!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2011 20:51:39 GMT -5
spoonover, I hope things tighten up for you as well. I will be sad If I cant get 1 moa out of mine but the verdict will be out soon because several are about to hit the streets....Bill
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Post by spoonover on Mar 10, 2011 8:37:13 GMT -5
Last night I was sizing bullets for the new barrel (sabotless). The bore is very good from the feel of bullet going down the bore.
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Post by mountainam on Mar 10, 2011 21:48:56 GMT -5
Spoon, Check your PM's
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Post by spoonover on Mar 14, 2011 5:54:32 GMT -5
Sabots, only thing needed to make McGowen work much better. No more concerns, I could not be more pleased!
Sabotless, 12" pattern. My sizing sucks, got the last bullet stuck in the barrel and went home.
Light blue Harvester and SR4759/H322 15/55 worked well. All groups averaged 1" with this combo. 195's Barnes and 200 grain SST's the latter had one 3 shot group under a 1/2" after knurling. Fouled barrel seems to make the groups settle.
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Post by jims on Mar 14, 2011 6:39:47 GMT -5
Spoonover: What twist are you using and what weight bullets did you shoot sabotless? Thanks
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Post by spoonover on Mar 14, 2011 7:56:51 GMT -5
451 TMZ, 250 grain, two shots is all, my skills will have to improve in the sizing. Worked on sizing last night, made a new sizer and now have to knurl to get the tight fit. Think if I keep working I will find the rite variable, the way it is shooting with the 200gr .400 SST and sabot I won't work very hard on the sabotless.
18" twist, is working @ 100 yards, have to see how things pan out @ 2 and 300 yards
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Post by spoonover on Mar 14, 2011 12:39:06 GMT -5
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guppy
8 Pointer
hunting buddy
Posts: 191
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Post by guppy on Mar 15, 2011 5:20:33 GMT -5
Good shooting spoon. I hope to get mine out and get some time behind it this weekend. Keep the McGowan reports coming. Maybe we should start a new thread with just McGowan reports. Good luck, Kevin
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Post by ourway77 on Mar 15, 2011 11:22:46 GMT -5
Nothing wrong with those groups, I wouldn't complain if they were mine. Good shooting Lou
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Post by fishhawk on Mar 15, 2011 12:35:44 GMT -5
I PMed Spoonover suggesting to start a new thread, I've got lots of PM's from those waiting on accuracy reports before they order a barrel.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2011 20:26:12 GMT -5
spoon, looks like it will be a keeper. is it a 700 or a savage?
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Post by spoonover on Mar 16, 2011 23:48:17 GMT -5
Model 7 Remington CF, Pete's BP, I would order another McGowen, I now have two, 270WSM.
Thanks, but I had a good day and really not to good a shot (just got lucky).
Spoonbill fishing opened 3/15 and have been out of town snagging. My heart was really wanting to get back to the range. Saturday, rain is in the forecast, hope to shoot than?
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