Bear Creek Arsenal’s Bolt Action Upper

[Deere_Man]

Does anyone shoot this? How was it? Reliable? Rugged? Or flimsy and unreliable? I’m thinking of getting one in 22 ARC.

BC-15 | .22 ARC Bolt Action Style Upper | 18" Black Nitride Heavy Barrel | 1:7 Twist | MLOK | Split Rail

The .22 ARC Bolt Action Upper with an 18" Black Nitride Heavy Barrel offers sleek style and precision. Grab yours from Bear Creek Arsenal now.

www.bearcreekarsenal.com

 

[Chris in TN]

I've considered it but I'd think you'd still be limited to gas-gun pressures if you wanted the bolt to last.

I will say this - I grabbed one of their side-charging uppers and swapped the barrel for a Ballistic Advantage, and I *LOVVE* the side charging upper. I just hate that it says 'bear creek' on it. lol.

I have considered buying another side charger to swap into my old 6.8spc. The side chargers are hands down handier hunting rifles. Much easier to charge and check the chamber.

 

[Thegman]

Some run really smoothly, some might be a little rough. They shoot fine. There's an article on them in G&A AR-15 a few issues back.

One thing to note: They are capable of firing out or battery (or were anyway) when I reviewed them. If the bolt handle is pushed and held fully forward but not rotated, and the trigger pressed at the same time, it would fire (I tested it with a primed case).

Would be difficult to imagine happening for a right handed shooter, but maybe lefties could. A strong spring pushes the bolt carrier back to prevent that from happening if the bolt handle is released. So it would have to be held forward and the trigger pulled at the same time.

 

[hereinaz]

I didn’t like it at all. Heavy and bolt didn’t close and stay closed on the model I got. I returned it.

If it is a .223, the straight pull is better than the bolt action. Check out the ULUL thread for discussion on it.

 

[PistolPete]

I like mine, once I did 2 things: 1) installed some washers/spacers to keep the bolt screw heads from gouging the upper and stop the metal on metal contact. And 2) notched the upper so the bolt is harder to knock out of battery.

It is a little rough, but I actually like it better than my Solo even though it's 10 oz heavier.

Next up is cutting off the bolt knob and threading for an aluminum one. Should save a few oz and function better.

 

[hereinaz]

I like mine, once I did 2 things: 1) installed some washers/spacers to keep the bolt screw heads from gouging the upper and stop the metal on metal contact. And 2) notched the upper so the bolt is harder to knock out of battery.

It is a little rough, but I actually like it better than my Solo even though it's 10 oz heavier.

Next up is cutting off the bolt knob snd threading for an aluminum one. Should save a few oz and function better.

I can see that could improve it.

I definitely did not like the way the bolt felt in battery. If I had one, I would notch the upper for the bolt handle. The bolt seemed like it wanted to move.

Isn’t the bolt head under spring compression when you push it forward as it goes into battery?

 

[Thegman]

Isn’t the bolt head under spring compression when you push it forward as it goes into battery?

Yes, there's a fairly heavy spring in the bolt carrier behind the tail of the bolt, pushing the bolt body forward and the bolt carrier (and bolt handle) backward when pushed into battery.

Mine seem to stay closed reasonably well, especially with a cartridge chambered, but the mods @PistolPete mentioned are pretty popular with these, for a reason.

There's an AR site where guys talk a lot about the BCA bolt action and doing these mods.

Here it is: https://ar15.com/forums/AR-15/BCA-bolt-action-upper-for-350-/121-789087/

These guys are really into the BCA Bolt Action and the mods that help keep the bolt handle from popping open.

 

[hereinaz]

Yes, there's a fairly heavy spring in the bolt carrier behind the tail of the bolt, pushing the bolt body forward and the bolt carrier (and bolt handle) backward when pushed into battery.

Mine seem to stay closed reasonably well, especially with a cartridge chambered, but the mods @PistolPete mentioned are pretty popular with these, for a reason.

There's an AR site where guys talk a lot about the BCA bolt action and doing these mods.

Here it is: https://ar15.com/forums/AR-15/BCA-bolt-action-upper-for-350-/121-789087/

These guys are really into the BCA Bolt Action and the mods that help keep the bolt handle from popping open.

The bolt action is just one of those that could have used a bit more refinement. It was the lack of refinement and need to tweak that disappointed, I have enough projects. It was so close.

I can see it picked up a good following, that’s good to see.

 

[PistolPete]

The bolt action is just one of those that could have used a bit more refinement. It was the lack of refinement and need to tweak that disappointed, I have enough projects. It was so close.

I can see it picked up a good following, that’s good to see.

True. I'm still on the lookout for a more refined 6 ARC rifle (Kimber or CZ? maybe a stainless Mini) as well, but for $230, this scratched the itch temporarily.