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Hannibal
11-14-2022, 11:12 PM
I have a 45-70 project in the works and am considering a McGowen octagonal barrel. Just curious if anyone here has had any experience with one?

Thanks for looking.
M-Tecs
11-14-2022, 11:23 PM
Had one that was great and one that was junk. I will not use again.
BLAHUT
11-14-2022, 11:32 PM
Green mountain, douglas
Don McDowell
11-14-2022, 11:58 PM
I have 2 22's with McGowen barrels and they shoot extremely well
stubshaft
11-15-2022, 04:09 AM
I have a barrel that Harry made for me back in the 70's and it is exceptionally accurate. I do not have any experience with his barrels since then.
45-110
11-15-2022, 07:42 AM
I have a Mcgowen .45 cal bull barrel on my Ballard, been shooting paper patch through it for 1 season. It has proven to be a match shooter, no machine marks in bore. My last green Mountain barrel was the worse I ever owned, had to fire lap it to get it smoothed out
Hannibal
11-15-2022, 08:04 AM
Green mountain, douglas

I looked at those as well but everyone seems to be out of them currently.
Nobade
11-15-2022, 10:39 AM
I was very underwhelmed with current McGowan barrels.
Ajohns
11-15-2022, 11:20 AM
I have two current made on bolt actions. One in 300BO and one in 35 Remington.
Both are machined very nice and both are very accurate.
Hannibal
11-15-2022, 01:33 PM
I was very underwhelmed with current McGowan barrels.

Were they large bore? I'm wondering if they are all from the same source. Not sure if McGowen makes their own or outsources them and I can't find much info on line.

Is there anyone you'd recommend? I'm looking for an octagon 18 twist. Douglas and Green Mountain don't show any in stock.
45-110
11-15-2022, 01:41 PM
Mine is a 18 twist .45, like I said its shoots very well at 1000 yds.
Hannibal
11-15-2022, 01:43 PM
Mine is a 18 twist .45, like I said its shoots very well at 1000 yds.

Is it fairly new production? I'm planning to build an action and the last thing I want is a janky barrel for this project.
Nobade
11-15-2022, 01:50 PM
Were they large bore? I'm wondering if they are all from the same source. Not sure if McGowen makes their own or outsources them and I can't find much info on line.

Is there anyone you'd recommend? I'm looking for an octagon 18 twist. Douglas and Green Mountain don't show any in stock.

First one had variable twist. Sent that back, second one was big in the grooves and tapered the wrong way. I kept it but it never shot very well. I'm glad to hear others have had good luck with them, maybe they have figured thing out. These I bought were just after they were up and running with the new owners and maybe still learning.

If I wanted a top notch barrel I'd get a Kreiger but you'll probably be waiting on it for a while. Or just keep an eye on the Green Mountain web site to see if they make any. Might talk to Oregon Barrel Company (or is it works?) and see where they are at as well.
Gunlaker
11-15-2022, 01:55 PM
There must be a fair number of them out there on BPCR rifles. For a while ( after Badger barrels stopped supplying them ) C. Sharps used McGowan barrels and then later Green Mountain.

Chris.
craneman
11-18-2022, 10:46 PM
I have no first hand experience but ive heard good things about BRC (Borchardt Rifle Co) barrels.
Todd
Gunlaker
11-19-2022, 11:00 AM
I have no first hand experience but ive heard good things about BRC (Borchardt Rifle Co) barrels.
Todd

I think they are pretty decent. I have a .38-55 highwall built by Steven Durren with a #5 weight BRC barrel and it shoots pretty well.

Chris.