Shilen vs McGowen
- Thread starter DrawBlood
- Start date
6mm Shooter
CGN Regular
- Location
- White City, SK
I have had some of both and I have had some good and some bad with both. McGowan did piss me off lately though with a problem barrel.
Obtunded's rather snippy remark aside, there is, potentially, considerable difference depending upon what Shilen barrel you buy and on the luck of the draw.
If you buy a Shilen select match barrel, the barrel is garanteed to be within certain specs. It is hand lapped, gauged, and you are assured of it's dimension. Shilen's standard match grade barrel is a similar barrel but held to less stringent requirements, dimensionally. Still, those dimensions are garanteed.
Now, the McGowan barrel is a well made barrel and the methodology is sound but they don't employ the same gauging and inspection procedures as Shilen. They do a good job of drilling and reaming and they lap prior to rifling. They button rifle and the barrel is turned at the correct rate for the twist during the procedure. My observation has been that they do not actually lap but polish. Their stress relief system is good and their barrels do not warp or move when contoured.
All in all, I would say the best barrels from either maker would be equal. The worst from Shilen would be much better than the worst from McGowan. Shilen garantees the dimensional uniformity of their product; McGowan is pretty sure their's is fine.
The guys at the McGowan shop have been making barrels for about 5 years or so. Shilen has been at it for over forty years.
Shilen's select match barrels are probably equal to any and when you buy one, you know what you are getting. Shilen's standard match grade barrels are very close to as good (I've had some superb chromoly, match grade barrels from Shilen) and, again, you know what you are getting.
McGowan's barrels are a very good standard grade barrel with a little more variability than Shilen's. I think the guys at the McGowan shop are producing a barrel which represents good value. In other words, it's a respectable barrel at a good price. I've been absolutely pleased with the McGowans as a hunting rifle barrel but would choose the Shilen every time for a precision rifle if the choice was between the two.
Because I have no axe to grind either way, I don't have to reflexively slam any barrel because of the method of manufacture or because I don't sell that particular make. A good barrel is a good barrel and a bad barrel sucks; regardless of how it was made or by whom.
I have installed barrels made by at least a couple of dozen different manufacturers. For myself, I would be happy to use a barrel from Hart, Krieger, Pac-nor, or Shilen for a precision rifle. I might try a McGowan for the same purpose but I would do so knowing there was a chance it wouldn't be at the same level. Regards, Bill
If you buy a Shilen select match barrel, the barrel is garanteed to be within certain specs. It is hand lapped, gauged, and you are assured of it's dimension. Shilen's standard match grade barrel is a similar barrel but held to less stringent requirements, dimensionally. Still, those dimensions are garanteed.
Now, the McGowan barrel is a well made barrel and the methodology is sound but they don't employ the same gauging and inspection procedures as Shilen. They do a good job of drilling and reaming and they lap prior to rifling. They button rifle and the barrel is turned at the correct rate for the twist during the procedure. My observation has been that they do not actually lap but polish. Their stress relief system is good and their barrels do not warp or move when contoured.
All in all, I would say the best barrels from either maker would be equal. The worst from Shilen would be much better than the worst from McGowan. Shilen garantees the dimensional uniformity of their product; McGowan is pretty sure their's is fine.
The guys at the McGowan shop have been making barrels for about 5 years or so. Shilen has been at it for over forty years.
Shilen's select match barrels are probably equal to any and when you buy one, you know what you are getting. Shilen's standard match grade barrels are very close to as good (I've had some superb chromoly, match grade barrels from Shilen) and, again, you know what you are getting.
McGowan's barrels are a very good standard grade barrel with a little more variability than Shilen's. I think the guys at the McGowan shop are producing a barrel which represents good value. In other words, it's a respectable barrel at a good price. I've been absolutely pleased with the McGowans as a hunting rifle barrel but would choose the Shilen every time for a precision rifle if the choice was between the two.
Because I have no axe to grind either way, I don't have to reflexively slam any barrel because of the method of manufacture or because I don't sell that particular make. A good barrel is a good barrel and a bad barrel sucks; regardless of how it was made or by whom.
I have installed barrels made by at least a couple of dozen different manufacturers. For myself, I would be happy to use a barrel from Hart, Krieger, Pac-nor, or Shilen for a precision rifle. I might try a McGowan for the same purpose but I would do so knowing there was a chance it wouldn't be at the same level. Regards, Bill
You sure that was a snippy remark?
It was one sentence long. That guy sells barrels himself and he's suggesting buying another retailer's product.I'm thinking the barrel to get for my 223 will be a Krieger. For my .22lr I had a shilen in mind. But that's just me!
Shilen barrels have been doing vary well recently in rimfire benchrest.
http://ara.benchrest.net/2009/2009_Nationals Equipment.htm
http://ara.benchrest.net/2008/2008_Nationals Equipment.htm
http://ara.benchrest.net/2009/2009_Nationals Equipment.htm
http://ara.benchrest.net/2008/2008_Nationals Equipment.htm
zey, check out Thompson Center R-55 I am told they use a shillen match barrel on that 22. Super accurate for a semi,
You sure that was a snippy remark?
I'm thinking the barrel to get for my 223 will be a Krieger. For my .22lr I had a shilen in mind. But that's just me!
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Thanks Bill. Very complete answer and how I offer the product to customers.
Missed you this weekend in Kamloops. Was only a one day match but it was a hoot with enough nasty air to last a weekend
Shot pretty well with my Shilen Savage too.
Jerry
Missed you this weekend in Kamloops. Was only a one day match but it was a hoot with enough nasty air to last a weekend
Shot pretty well with my Shilen Savage too.
Jerry
Thanks Bill. Very complete answer and how I offer the product to customers.
Missed you this weekend in Kamloops. Was only a one day match but it was a hoot with enough nasty air to last a weekend
Shot pretty well with my Shilen Savage too.
Jerry
I bought a .270 of a Gunnut here that you sold and installed the Shilen barrel for. Couldn't be happier.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
One major difference between the two brands is options.
McGowen can offer extras like fluting, a whole wide range of contours, octagonal and dodecagon barrels, 1/2 round - 1/2 octagonal. Gloss and matte finishes.
All the stuff not commonly found from barrel makers catering to the precision crowd.
The list of custom machining and prefits keep growing so do check out their site for the many options. I have a hard time keeping my website updated so have not added all the additional options.
So if trying to rebuild a low wall Winny or lighten up a heavy barrel or throwing in a barrel into an AR or 10/22, McGowen can offer so many barrels options.
However, for competition shooting, Shilen SS Select match.
For everything else, either brand will work wonderfully so just pick and choose the options you like.
Hope this helps.
Jerry
PS, if looking for a prefit for a Savage, Shilen has the widest selection of reamer options inhouse.
McGowen can offer extras like fluting, a whole wide range of contours, octagonal and dodecagon barrels, 1/2 round - 1/2 octagonal. Gloss and matte finishes.
All the stuff not commonly found from barrel makers catering to the precision crowd.
The list of custom machining and prefits keep growing so do check out their site for the many options. I have a hard time keeping my website updated so have not added all the additional options.
So if trying to rebuild a low wall Winny or lighten up a heavy barrel or throwing in a barrel into an AR or 10/22, McGowen can offer so many barrels options.
However, for competition shooting, Shilen SS Select match.
For everything else, either brand will work wonderfully so just pick and choose the options you like.
Hope this helps.
Jerry
PS, if looking for a prefit for a Savage, Shilen has the widest selection of reamer options inhouse.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
cbabes, glad the rifle is working well for you.
Jerry
Jerry
