New McGowan 10/22 barrel is damaging my bullets. Anyone have ideas?

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Lead Sligner

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My new barrel is chewing up my ammo. Tried different brands.
Does it with all mags and they seat nicely.
Not sure where to begin. Thanks in advance.
 

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I'm guessing it has to do with the type of chamber. Do you know if you have a sporter, or a Bentz chamber?
I've read that the Bentz chamber you need to be cautious of the types of ammunition you use. McGowen may be able to shed some light on the matter, or whoever you got the barrel from.
 
Is it shaving lead off while chambering? Getting shavings in the action? Take a look at the edge of the chamber and see if it is sharp. You can break the edge with a deburring tool or some fine work with a couple needle files, if you dare.
You can take an awful pile of material away from the edge of the chamber before you get to the point where the case no longer holds up under pressure. But it likely only needs a bit of a smooth and polish of the area that the bullet feeds across, to allow it to feed without shaving.

If it is reshaping the bullet as it is forced in to battery by the momentum of the bolt, how does it shoot?

Talk to the makers yet?
 
Lead Sligner said:
It us a Bentz chamber. I'd did cross my mind but figured that it would be more forgiving than a target chamber. Great idea to call McGowan. I did not think of the obvious.
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The sporting chamber is more forgiving than the Bentz chamber from McGowen. According to the internet experts that I have found. The Bentz chamber is a match chamber, from what I have read.

I'd do as Damullet suggested and see if it is the chamber, or maybe it's a feeding issue. I never thought of that. My semi-auto tends to shave rounds when entering the chamber.
 
All good advice. Thanks. It operates well. I suspect that the deformation reduces it's accuracy. I was wondering if a chamfer was ok. Good to know . I have small files and stones here so if need be.....
I will call the manufacturer tomorrow before trying anything drastic.
 
TrevorJ said:
The sporting chamber is more forgiving than the Bentz chamber from McGowen. According to the internet experts that I have found. The Bentz chamber is a match chamber, from what I have read.

I'd do as Damullet suggested and see if it is the chamber, or maybe it's a feeding issue. I never thought of that. My semi-auto tends to shave rounds when entering the chamber.[/QUOTE

I figured it must affect accuracy.
Click to expand...
 
My McGowan is stamped 22 Bentz (16).

Lighter and shorter than the factory so I thought it would be better suited to Speed Steel.

Accuracy at distance was no better than the factory and while shooting after is warmed up or fouled, failed to eject problems.

Never checked to see if there was a feeding problem.

If there was a ramp problem that should have shown up with the factory barrel too. I have checked for deforming with the factory barrels and saw none especially like shown in the pictures.
 
horseman2 said:
My McGowan is stamped 22 Bentz (16).

Lighter and shorter than the factory so I thought it would be better suited to Speed Steel.

Accuracy at distance was no better than the factory and while shooting after is warmed up or fouled, failed to eject problems.

Never checked to see if there was a feeding problem.

If there was a ramp problem that should have shown up with the factory barrel too. I have checked for deforming with the factory barrels and saw none especially like shown in the pictures.
Click to expand...

This is a 16" Bentz heavy profile as well. I have not yet concluded that it was a 300,$ well spent. Factot barrel was fine.
Thank for sharing your experience.
 
I received a reply from the McGowan, the barrel manufacturer.

Quote:

«Polishing the chamber mount at the ramp area can help remedy this issue. Do not get to aggressive as to change the surface the rim of the cartridge needs to seat on.»

I'll give this a go on the weekend.

Thanks all!
 
Factory barrel OK, but work needed on a $300 barrel ..... what's wrong with this picture?

"If'n it ain't broke, don't fix it."
 
if you purchased a McGowen barrel from me, I am happy to support as needed. I compete with them and so do others locally. We do not have an issue with accuracy at long range or function.

If you look at some bullets, they can be a bit on the larger diameter and may swage entering a tighter chamber. The chamber in that barrel is likely geared for Lapua CenterX so the leade is tighter then on most factory barrels.

I just tested some CCI Blazer in a match barreled rifle I am working on and occasionally, there is a flattening of the driving band. With Lapua CenterX, SK Rifle match and long range, that doesn't occur.

Available to help as needed.... but maybe try another type of ammo first. And shoot the barrel to confirm performance.

Jerry

PS, if you got a barrel from me for Long Range PRS shooting, the specs are definitely geared around SK and Lapua ammo. Specs are geared towards 400yds shooting.
 
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I had a similar issue with a Dlask 10/22 barrel with the X-treme chamber. After shooting a bunch, I had a small pile of lead smiles on the bench under the mag well. I took a tapered Dremel stone and just using my fingers with almost no pressure, spun it a couple of times to just break the razor sharp edge. Seemed to do the trick.

Auggie D.
 
Mystic Precision said:
if you purchased a McGowen barrel from me, I am happy to support as needed. I compete with them and so do others locally. We do not have an issue with accuracy at long range or function.

If you look at some bullets, they can be a bit on the larger diameter and may swage entering a tighter chamber. The chamber in that barrel is likely geared for Lapua CenterX so the leade is tighter then on most factory barrels.

I just tested some CCI Blazer in a match barreled rifle I am working on and occasionally, there is a flattening of the driving band. With Lapua CenterX, SK Rifle match and long range, that doesn't occur.

Available to help as needed.... but maybe try another type of ammo first. And shoot the barrel to confirm performance.

Jerry

PS, if you got a barrel from me for Long Range PRS shooting, the specs are definitely geared around SK and Lapua ammo. Specs are geared towards 400yds shooting.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jerry. I will contact you for your help.
 
Auggie Doggie said:
I had a similar issue with a Dlask 10/22 barrel with the X-treme chamber. After shooting a bunch, I had a small pile of lead smiles on the bench under the mag well. I took a tapered Dremel stone and just using my fingers with almost no pressure, spun it a couple of times to just break the razor sharp edge. Seemed to do the trick.

Auggie D.
Click to expand...

Thanks Auggie, this seem in line with McGowan's recommendation
 
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