E.R. Shaw chassis rifle - Initial thoughts

[Jp50]

Hi all, new to the Hide and just got into this “Precision/Long Range” addiction on a whim about a year ago with a Ruger RPR in .223. Anyhow, I just recently purchased an E.R Shaw Model VII Chassis rifle in 6.5 Creed and thought I’d share some thoughts. After weighing the good the bad and the ugly of all the things I heard/read about the company and in particular, their barrels, I figured what the hell, it’s only money.......and they’re kinda local (keep the money close to home)and my initial thought is money well spent. The specs are: 24” BBL - 1 in 8” twist, TI brake, savage action, MDT LLS XL chassis, Magpul stock. Topped it off with a Vortex Razor HD Gen II and Accu-Tac bi-pod.
So the nitty gritty:
Fit and finish - pretty damned good.....Cerakote was done well and no machine marks.
I have to say that out of all the new rifles that crossed my path over the years, this one had the most fouled barrel I ever came across. Lots of carbon and copper....especially for one that was “only function tested” as I was told. I never had to use JB and Sweets on a new rifle to get to bare metal. Needless to say I was more than a little concerned. Bore scope has now been ordered lol. Good thing is I didn’t feel any rough or tight spots when I was scrubbing.
Took it out today to break her in....and my fears were laid to rest. Used Hornady 147 ELD Match factory ammo, shot one and cleaned to bare metal first 14 rounds and got the glass dialed in ( I know....14 rounds! Holy Shit!.....my bad....thinking in MOA....scope is MILS....duh!)The first 5 rounds the barrel fouled like a S.O.B but afterwards got progressively easier.

Anyhow, last 6 rounds, all clean-cold bore shots (and actually trying to shoot a group) around .75 MOA. Will be the only factory ammo this thing will ever see in all likelihood. Can’t wait to see how it shoots when its heated up.

Hope I didn’t bore anyone with my rambling. Thanks for the read - JP

 

[Yoteski]

Did you top it with a Quigley Ford?

 

[Jp50]

Nope. I save those for my good rifles.

 

[Naaman]

Thanks for posting. I've been trying to find out about these rifles. I look forward to anymore info you choose to post.

 

[slothlacrosse]

I had a 300 WM that was rebarreled by ER Shaw. It shot very well, but like your barrel, fouled like a MF. Thanks for the write up.

 

[fdkay]

ER Shaw stainless steel barrels tend to shoot very well.
They are good quality OEM barrels.

 

[Carlos Danger]

I have a heavy bull barrel from Shaw for my 6.5 Grendel. No complaints.

 

[Dead Eye Dick]

I own a Ruger 77mk II that they rebarreled in 35 Whelen. On a given day when I do my part the rifle is crazy accurate. When I shoot her from the bench, I might add that even with the Hogue overmoulded stock, she does push me back a bit.

 

[SmartDonkey]

I had them do 2 barrels for me. They shoot very well- but they both have huge chambers. I'm not talking about headspace- but the size of the chamber. Not sure if they use the reamers longer than they should or what the issue is- but they suck to try resize the fired brass in. I took a fired piece of brass from a different gun in the same cartridge and it will go into the reloading die at least 1" further than the brass from the Shaw barrel.

They "wear" the brass out so much faster... maybe my results are the outliers-- but I've moved on to better barrel companies.