Ordering a custom barrel, what do I need to know?

I'm hoping to order my 280A.I. barrel from McGowan for my Rem-Age build. I already know what length, profile, twist rate, etc I need/want. What I'm still a bit murky on is stuff like throat length and other more technical items. I hear many of you talking about having long throats, short throats, tight chamber dimensions, etc. I know many, when they have their barrels installed, will bring their gunsmith an inert round they can use to ensure proper fitment but what if I don't have any rounds because I've never had a 280A.I. before? I don't want to just load a dummy round up off a wild guess of what I'll be needing. What are the questions I need to be asking myself, McGowan, or my gunsmith before I order my barrel?

I assume you want to mag feed? If you know what bullet you intend to use take that bullet and seat it to the longest oal that functions properly in the mag and use that to cut your chamber to. Our you can just go with saami spec.

RockyMtnMT said:

I assume you want to mag feed? If you know what bullet you intend to use take that bullet and seat it to the longest oal that functions properly in the mag and use that to cut your chamber to. Our you can just go with saami spec.

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It will be built in a Manners stock with a BDL floorplate configuration to save on weight so no mag fed system for me. The only piece I have for the whole rifle is the trued left hand receiver and bolt, my barrel was the next item to order. It sounds like I'll be getting my chamber cut to SAAMI spec if I understand you correctly.

It is going to be a single shot, No mag?

RockyMtnMT said:

It is going to be a single shot, No mag?

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No it will use a Remington bdl hinged floorplate system to hold 3 to 4+1. The build is specifically a lightweight hunting rifle

That will be your mag length. I assume you will have 3.6". But you should not assume. Check with the stock manufacture.

Do yourself a favor and order from someone like NSS that carries Criterion Barrels or Pac-Nor. Both have remage barrels for about the same price and are much higher quality and consistency.

Mcgowen can turn out nice stuff, but I received several that were not ok. Dan is the nicest person when ordering, but if you have an issue he is a nightmare to deal with.

GPR23 said:

Do yourself a favor and order from someone like NSS that carries Criterion Barrels or Pac-Nor. Both have remage barrels for about the same price and are much higher quality and consistency.

Mcgowen can turn out nice stuff, but I received several that were not ok. Dan is the nicest person when ordering, but if you have an issue he is a nightmare to deal with.

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I went back and forth between McGowan and Criterion. I actually have 2 other Criterion barrels on two other builds that I love but I had heard from a reputable rifle builder that McGowan turned out the some of the best barrels he's ever worked with. I'm not set on McGowan, I'd buy another Criterion in a heartbeat. I guess I need some more research.

RockyMtnMT said:

That will be your mag length. I assume you will have 3.6". But you should not assume. Check with the stock manufacture.

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Will do, thanks for the tip.

If you do have 3.6" that will be enough to run long bullets without any trouble as long as you are throated for the bullets seated out long.

RockyMtnMT said:

If you do have 3.6" that will be enough to run long bullets without any trouble as long as you are throated for the bullets seated out long.

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I only plan to run 160ish grain bullets, nothing crazy long like 180's or more. Everything I'm looking at seems standard SAAMI spec is going to work

You could always have it throated later if you decide you need it.

GPR23 said:

Do yourself a favor and order from someone like NSS that carries Criterion Barrels

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Yep...+1! I ordered a Criterion .280AI (match) Savage prefit from NSS last month. They were great to deal with. It's a SAAMI spec chamber and James told me that the "match" designation just means it has a slightly longer throat.

Deputy819 said:

Yep...+1! I ordered a Criterion .280AI (match) Savage prefit from NSS last month. They were great to deal with. It's a SAAMI spec chamber and James told me that the "match" designation just means it has a slightly longer throat.

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I was looking at the Criterion barrels and remembered why I decided to try McGowan, they (Criterion) didn't have a profile in that sweet spot I was looking for. Muzzle diameter was either 0.575" and smaller or 0.700" and bigger for the 26" barrels while McGowan had a 0.625" and a 0.650" option that, with fluting, hit the weight I was looking for. I will call NSS this week but I feel like I have to sacrifice for heavier weight or barrel thickness/rigidness to use a Criterion barrel in this particular build. I'm trying to stay at or under 8.5lbs.