My newest acquisition a 50 caliber Mowry….Mowrey.

[bpd303]

I have been interested in the Mowrey rifles for some time. Yesterday I came across this one. The name stamped on the barrel is Mowry along with the SRN & 50 with no other markings. It is a build from the company in Texas that took over when Bill Mowrey sold the company.

This one has an iron/steel receiver and the bore is like a mirror with a 1:66 twist. The gentleman I got it from advised that he had replaced the original main spring with a stiffer one and the lock works perfectly. He advised that it is a tack driver, we shall see. Any thoughts?

 

[Mr.D123]

hotoSmile:

 

[bpd303]

Been working on that...

 

[F.G. Ford]

What ever you do, don't make the mistake that I have done........twice.
DON'T sell or trade it!
Silly move on my part :cursing:
Fred ( Old Ford )

 

[wattlebuster]

Great find. Follow freds advise

 

[Wes/Tex]

I don't recall the serial number range when the change took place but would have thought the 9200 range was still in Bill's tenure...if not, it was obviously before they moved from Olney. They made some interesting variations over the years, that's for sure. Not a lot of parts to break either!! :haha:

 

[bpd303]

Just got in from some test firing. After shooting some off hand and like my usual wobbly self, I set up the shooting bench and without further adieu she punched out the center of a 1 3/4 bull... Definitely a tack driver...I'm happy. :grin: Gotta go clean up now.

 

[bpd303]

Not hard to tell which are the off hand shots, although I did hit the bull with several. Once I set up the bench and settled down things began to look up. Load was 50gr fffg Goex with a .15 patched .490 round ball. She likes a lightly damp patch down the bore after about 3 shots. Distance was 32 yards.

 

[Col. Batguano]

It's a cool rifle. What did it run you? You don't see that many of them as compared to the more common GPA,s, TC's, Lymans etc.

 

[FishDFly]

When I could find them I lusted after one.

When I finally found one and had the money in my pocket, the rifle just did not fit me, too much drop on the stock, I really did like the looks of the rifle and the stock.

I regret not buying one, if I ever find another one, I am going to buy it, even if it fits or not.

I want one and if you ever want to part with it, I want first option if I could.

 

[Vaino]

I've been interested in a Mowry for many years... but never bought one. The main reason was the metal wrist....I used to hunt snowshoe hares in very cold temps {down to -20} and the metal wrist isn't meant for those temps. They sure do look nice.....Fred

 

[Billnpatti]

The same rifle used to be made at one time by Deer Creek Products in Waldron, Indiana. I think that there were three different owners of the patent. I went to Deer Creek 5 or 6 years ago and he still had a few Mowrey parts on the shelf. I bought a lock and wood for the stock from him and then bought a .45 cal. barrel from Long Hammock. I bought other parts from Dixie. I ended up with a mighty fine rifle. It's very light and nice to carry in the woods. It is a tack driver.

 

[George T.]

I think that your rifle with the iron lock area will last a lot better than my brass one did. By the way how did it load? Mine shot the .495 with ticking real well. It shot well but I never really fell for the look. At the time they were good quality barrels and not all that expensive. Geo. T.

 

[bpd303]

I probably paid a little too much but there was another guy looking at it when I walked up. This was at the muzzle shoot at Berryville. When he put it down and told the owner he would think about it. I picked it up and checked out the action and looked down the bore with my bore light that convinced me. The asking price was $400 and I didn't try to bargain, just handed it to my wife and she loved it. She got to carry it for the remainder of the day. :grin: Everyone needs a gun bearer, although she is a better shot than I.

As for loading with the .490 ball and .15 dry lube patch, I had to use a short starter then the range rod sent it home without any problems. I think the rifling has a gain twist to it. My next step will be to try different lubes then patch material for the optimum load. Pretty happy with the 50gr of fffg but that is not written in stone either.

 

[Sinner]

I don't think you paid too much; they don't come around too often. I paid a little more for mine a year ago. They are truly unique, and there aren't any others that are like it. As for the metal wrist, there are ways to conquer that cold-weather dog. Enjoy!

 

[hanshi]

I started lusting after a Mowrey I guess it was back in the late 1960s or thereabouts. Congratulations, you got yourself a real gem.

 

[rustyh]

I also have a Mowrey, mine is 45cal I have had it for close to 25 years and will go to my boys when I can't shoot any more. I bought a replacement butt stock from Deer Creek because the original pull lenght was about 12 inches when I bought it. Here are some pics.

 

[George T.]

Mine was brass and although it shot well enough the hammer started to develop play pretty darned quick. I bought it in the late 60's. I have never had a moment of regret about selling it. However that is a fine looking rifle. Geo. T.

 

[MSW]

fine looking rifle - congratulations!

 

[torn moc]

That's a sweet Mowrey !
I have its little brother in .32 cal


they are great shooters....and look awesome in my opinion .