AR Project with Bear Creek Barrel

[Wolfdog91]

Well finally getting around to building my first AR from the ground up the way I want. Going after a target varmint deal but since I'm a poor I couldn't help but be cheap lol. Anyway been looking for a barrel and after alot of review reeding finally decided to go with one of bear creeks. I mean for the price ( plus 10% off on my first purchase) I couldn't resist. Apparently it's supposed to group 1moa or less with factory to I'm hoping my hand loads can make it do something.

At the very least I have it will do better then my last barrel lol.Well time to run some extra over time so I can afford the hand gaurd gas ssysiand the fancy stock I want !

 

[5spd]

Most shooters will dog BCA as junk or lower. Lots of keyboard experts on them who have only heard 2nd or 3rd hand.
I've had 3 ar15 builds with bca bbls and they both shot my handlhands at 3/4", no complaints from me.

 

[Dave M.]

Not sure I trust any company that describes their barrels “will hold a 1.000” MOA at 100 yards…..”
MOA (minute of angle) is a SPECIFIC FRACTION OF A DEGREE……not a length measurement of 1.000”
I know what they are trying to say, that the rifle will hold a 1” group at 100 yards (which is slightly smaller than 1 MOA), but no statement of number of shots.
As they say on Shark Tank, “…and for that reason, I’m out!”

Dave

 

[ebb]

I've got a bear creek upper that is every thing I paid for. It was reasonably priced and shoots above expectations. It is not a national record upper but I didn't pay for a match upper. ive got another brand I paid more money for and have had it lock up a case in the chamber twice now. I am sure with a few hundred rounds it will be reliable, but it isn't yet.

 

[tommeboy]

I have tried 3 different of their barrels. Sold all of them as they would only shoot 1.75" groups on the best of days. First sent them back and had them replaced. Then tried again. I was not going to keep replacing them till I got a good one. Components are too expensive to just throw away. I replaced them all with WOA barrels and everyone shoots under 3/4" with the same factory and handloads the BC would not shoot.

Most people just want to hear their gun go bang. I am not one of those. I have cast bullets in these same guns shoot right at 1". That is a 65gr lead bullet going 2650 fps. If you know anything about shooting lead in rifles, that will show you how much I care about my guns shooting well.

 

[cohiba2]

Well finally getting around to building my first AR from the ground up the way I want. Going after a target varmint deal but since I'm a poor I couldn't help but be cheap lol. Anyway been looking for a barrel and after alot of review reeding finally decided to go with one of bear creeks. I mean for the price ( plus 10% off on my first purchase) I couldn't resist. Apparently it's supposed to group 1moa or less with factory to I'm hoping my hand loads can make it do something.
View attachment 1374769
At the very least I have it will do better then my last barrel lol.Well time to run some extra over time so I can afford the hand gaurd gas ssysiand the fancy stock I want !
View attachment 1374770

I think u will be plenty surprised if u do your part. Lap it in for that extra bit of fit and accuracy if needed. Get good trigger and set, use anti walking pins; i use mine for target and varmit and set at 1.75 to 2.25 . Others for reliability i just stayed with an Anderson trigger and upgraded springs and polished all contact points. Breaks smooth 3.5 pounds. I Have 224 Valkrie set up with 24 inch heavy fluted barrel, 243 with 24 inch heavy fluted barrel, 308 24 inch heavy fluted barrel, 300 blackout 16 inch std weight, 223 and 7.62 x 39 16 inch std weight, with good scopes Burris and Leupold higher power they are .5 moa at 100 and 200 yds. Have not gone farther than that yet, have just used factory ammo and some 243 hunting loads and old 308 match rounds I still had laying around. Tighten up the lower fit to the upper and get all the slop out with rubber wedge in the rear of the lower, just trim to fit and that helps. Midway sells them like 1.99 or so. I have not been disappointed yet with the heavy barrels. The std weight either but they are set up for reliability and not target use so .75 to 1 inch moa at 100yds is fine with 3.5 to 4 pound triggers and 3x9 or 4 x 12 scope or an old cheap tasco red dot works nice with backup fold down sights for 50 yard zombie head shots with an under barrel laser and light it makes for a nice home defense weapon. But living in a city my 1st choice is the 12 gauge model 12 winchester with 20 inch open bore and 00 buck, slam fire that a few times and say ow. Back up is model 29 SW with 240gr HP with crimson trace laser grip. As soon as primers get plentiful again I will work up some loads and get out to the field again. Been 3 years and have not been shooting anything but 22 LR and 22 mag In my Henry lever actions Bought 2 Henry pump actions in 22 lr and mag but haven't shot yet. But looking forward to that soon. Hope you have a good day at the range with new AR build.

 

[Rocketvapor]

I have several BCA side charge uppers. Prices have gone up on these.
They now want $222 for a Gen2 upper/BCG.
Current price is $99.99
I bought a complete BCA 7.62x39 side charge upper with barrel and handguard for $219 on sale, free shipping, no tax. Took it apart and now have a X39 in an Anderson upper from spare parts that I haven't shot yet AND a Gen 2 side charge with 5.56 BCG for another build.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Bought 2 of the BCA side charge uppers/BCG for $99.99 each.
They look good.
My replacement barrel came in today from X-Caliber.
Oct 12-Nov 26.
5.3 pounds
Barrel Steel: 416R Stainless Steel
AR Barrel Length: 28" (No 1/2" Threads) [+$100.00]
Caliber & Twist Rate: .219/.224 1:7 Twist 5R Groove
AR 15 Chambers: 22 Nosler
AR Gas System: Rifle + 2"
Gas Block Journal (Length): 1.92" Long Gas Block Journal
AR 15 Contours: AR15 Bull .980, .936GB, .925
AR Muzzle / Crown: Recessed Target Crown (No Threads)
Finish: Polish

Doing some measurements before I put another upper together.
Will get the borescope out and take some pics inside.

The barrel extension has a taper from 0.999" to about 1.000" . Intentional?
Light tapping and it still doesn't go all the way into either BCA Side Charge Upper.
I will lap and use my spray on shim, freezer and oven to put it together.

 

[jelenko]

I wouldn't do anything to the barrel extension. When they are a tight fit [which is good!], I hold the upper in a upper 'block' in a vise and, holding the muzzle end of the barrel so it's even with the upper, I tap with a plastic mallet until the extension is fully seated. When it's tight, the taps are not light.

I don't think it matters, but I tap on the outer edge of the barrel. Since the crown is recessed, it almost for sure doesn't matter.

 

[Rocketvapor]

It's tight for the last 1/4" or so.
Every one of mine I do a true thermal fit.
Barrel in freezer, upper receiver in the oven.
I spray a thou or a little more of rattle can High Temp paint let it cure and polish it smooth.
This makes for about a 0.0015" to 0.002" interference fit that can only be assembled with a temperature difference.
Hand tighten a barrel nut and let temperatures equalize.
It will still be tight when the aluminum and steel are heated up after 3 20 round strings of fire.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Since the extension is mostly supported by the body of the receiver, not just the threaded nose.
The extra metal in the BCA side charging receiver probably helps and just has to offer more stability than the normal light weight receiver. I want the entire contact surface between the extension and receiver to be a thermal fit. Not just the last 1/4".

 

[tommeboy]

Heat the receiver with a torch. You have to do this to all BCM uppers. It is a good thing. They are a thermo fit.

 

[Rocketvapor]

I can get the barrel to about 70F below ambient (4F), Receiver about 150F above ambient (220F) for a delta of 290F. Working fast it's probably 240 or so by the time I get things together.
With a coefficient of expansion for 7075 Aluminum of 13uin/in/F that's about 0.002" expansion and 6uin/in/F for 416SS gives about 0.0004" shrinkage. If I hurry I can easily slip the painted shim extension into the heavy walled BCA receiver and hand tighten a nut to hold it.

 

[Sandstorm]

If I hurry I can easily slip the painted shim extension into the heavy walled BCA receiver and hand tighten a nut to hold it.

and that is optimum for a barrel and upper going together. You dont want any chance of movement.
I like your plan..very nice. I built a Grendel that way also with a X-Caliber in 26 inch and a plus 2 on the gas.
It shoots real well too.

 

[dblizzard]

Not sure I trust any company that describes their barrels “will hold a 1.000” MOA at 100 yards…..”
MOA (minute of angle) is a SPECIFIC FRACTION OF A DEGREE……not a length measurement of 1.000”
I know what they are trying to say, that the rifle will hold a 1” group at 100 yards (which is slightly smaller than 1 MOA), but no statement of number of shots.
As they say on Shark Tank, “…and for that reason, I’m out!”

Dave

Hmmm, I have bought 5 wylde barrels & 2 complete uppers all heavy. The worst one shot 1 moa & the best 1/2 moa consistently with handloads. The proof in the pudding is in the eating..I'm a believer. The magic recipe for me is: Sierra Gamekings 55, 62, & 65 grains. Varget & R15, .080" jump.

 

[expiper]

i have two bear creek 450 Bushmaster uppers that i put on my ar 15 lowers when deer season rolls around---they are just what the dr orders--using lil gun powder and 250 gr plastic tip bullets they both shoot ~3/4 inch three shot groups at 100yds--velocity 2250fps which is almost equal to 45-70 energy in a semi auto !!!!-it is fun to shoot and kills in both directions hahaha---Roger

 

[BAD LT]

Well finally getting around to building my first AR from the ground up the way I want. Going after a target varmint deal but since I'm a poor I couldn't help but be cheap lol. Anyway been looking for a barrel and after alot of review reeding finally decided to go with one of bear creeks. I mean for the price ( plus 10% off on my first purchase) I couldn't resist. Apparently it's supposed to group 1moa or less with factory to I'm hoping my hand loads can make it do something.
View attachment 1374769
At the very least I have it will do better then my last barrel lol.Well time to run some extra over time so I can afford the hand gaurd gas ssysiand the fancy stock I want !
View attachment 1374770

I have bought several BCA uppers and barrels, they shoot fine. They're not competition quality. But all my 300 Blackout barrels with handloads shoot sub MOA at 100 yds.

 

[okie]

I think for the money, they are great. I think they were on sale for 150$...??
two in grendel shot 3 inch 100 yd 3 shot groups...not great but ok for hogs at night
two in .223 shoot 1 inch at 100yd 3 shot...with a couple different factory ammos...excellent!

they are advancing the shooting sports so i wont bad mouth them

 

[Adam in WI]

Any one of yous tried one of their 458 Socom uppers or barrels?

 

[762plinker]

i like known quality over low prices.
1 moa or 1" AT 100 is nothing to brag about IMHO
the target shown is a 25 METER target( use for 100 yard zeros, not groups)
where are some targets from the new rifle ???