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BCA bolt action upper for $350? (Page 3 of 21)
| You have no idea how many times I have been tempted to cut down that 28” barrel inch by inch to see exactly what the optimal barrel length for the .458 SOCOM. It’s just so accurate and goofy looking that I just can’t bring myself to do it. My hunch is you are exactly right though, the optimal length, whatever it may be from a non ported barrel, may well lose a few fps when it would be ported to function as a semi. |
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Originally Posted By PreacherOfGadget: I'm kinda surprised you didn't cut a little further back, just past where the carrier (and wings) drops down in diameter. There's about 1/2" of those wings that never exit the upper receiver and are full diameter, which means that portion of the wings is a bearing surface which helps hold the carrier in alignment. Isn't it entertaining when a string of responses swings back around to the original statement? Covering the opening absolutely is the wings' primary purpose. Their existence (full length), however, does introduce a force that allows the bolt catch to hold the carrier (not the bolt itself). Without the wings, the bolt catch will not hold the carrier at all. Not really a feature or a bug, but it's good to be aware of that slight difference in functionality. Could help with trouble shooting at some point. I’m honestly not sure if this comment was meant to be snarky… As to carrier alignment; I suppose during high-speed carrier movement (as in normal semi-auto fire) this could be a concern, but I can’t imagine it being an issue in this application. Here’s the BCG, I don’t think I could have any further back without “exposing” the firing to pin (to what, I’m not sure…). Attached File ETA: here’s a pic of the rest of the gun. About the only thing b stopping me from a bolt action upper is that I cerakoted this set and don’t want to do it to the new upper too. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By PreacherOfGadget: So, .375 SOCOM barrel from Tromix arrived today. Tony was kind enough to sell me a barrel sans gas port for this upper. So did an order of .375 SOCOM ammo from Wilson Combat. Shout out to Tromix and Tony -- service was very fast. E-mail communication was fast, even during non-business hours. The barrel is beautiful. Excellent, smooth feeding. Love how the feed ramps are cut. But, just immaculate final product with an insanely even finish. So, I was gonna take a picture right after unboxing it, but I had everything setup to get the barrel into the upper, and forgot to snap a picture. Got the first one after the barrel nut install, then more as assembling. https://i.imgur.com/t5WJ6m0.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/urSfxle.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/6nAhscr.jpeg Then I tried cycling ammo. I know I won't be able to shoot it for a bit, but I wanted to see what I could see. It feeds excellently and extracts live ammo fine, but it didn't like ejecting unspent ammo. About 15%-20% of live rounds successfully ejected after extraction. The port door is a bit narrow, and due to the way the carrier is cut (to be able to rotate), the receiver port door can't be enlarged downward without losing too much support for the carrier in that area, and reducing its ability to lock shut. The top might be able to be enlarged a little, but I'm gonna wait and think on this before I modify anything. It's also only unspent ammo it's having an issue with so far. If it turns out to extract spent large-bore cases just fine, it's not that big of a deal. I'll get some pictures of what I'm talking about a bit later. Has anyone else had ejection issues with larger cartridges -- live or spent? I would only expect ejection issues on larger cases, like the SOCOMs, 450BM, .50 Beowulf. I'd expect it's only with unspent rounds on a handful of large bore cartridges. Interestingly, those carrier wings come into play, as they meet the buffer system during extraction, and it adds resistance to the bolt retraction just before an unspent round can eject. |
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Originally Posted By VTD: I found that resistance to be annoying. I've been using mine without the buffer or spring. Originally Posted By VTD: Originally Posted By PreacherOfGadget: So, .375 SOCOM barrel from Tromix arrived today. Tony was kind enough to sell me a barrel sans gas port for this upper. So did an order of .375 SOCOM ammo from Wilson Combat. Shout out to Tromix and Tony -- service was very fast. E-mail communication was fast, even during non-business hours. The barrel is beautiful. Excellent, smooth feeding. Love how the feed ramps are cut. But, just immaculate final product with an insanely even finish. So, I was gonna take a picture right after unboxing it, but I had everything setup to get the barrel into the upper, and forgot to snap a picture. Got the first one after the barrel nut install, then more as assembling. https://i.imgur.com/t5WJ6m0.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/urSfxle.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/6nAhscr.jpeg Then I tried cycling ammo. I know I won't be able to shoot it for a bit, but I wanted to see what I could see. It feeds excellently and extracts live ammo fine, but it didn't like ejecting unspent ammo. About 15%-20% of live rounds successfully ejected after extraction. The port door is a bit narrow, and due to the way the carrier is cut (to be able to rotate), the receiver port door can't be enlarged downward without losing too much support for the carrier in that area, and reducing its ability to lock shut. The top might be able to be enlarged a little, but I'm gonna wait and think on this before I modify anything. It's also only unspent ammo it's having an issue with so far. If it turns out to extract spent large-bore cases just fine, it's not that big of a deal. I'll get some pictures of what I'm talking about a bit later. Has anyone else had ejection issues with larger cartridges -- live or spent? I would only expect ejection issues on larger cases, like the SOCOMs, 450BM, .50 Beowulf. I'd expect it's only with unspent rounds on a handful of large bore cartridges. Interestingly, those carrier wings come into play, as they meet the buffer system during extraction, and it adds resistance to the bolt retraction just before an unspent round can eject. I was going to ask about that. Appreciate the info. |
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SO MUCH WIN IN ONE POST IT COULD CRASH ARFCOM !!!
SO MUCH WIN IN ONE POST IT COULD CRASH ARFCOM !!!
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I do not like the resistance either. I planned to cut those wings down anyway to use with an FM Ranch lower. That odd resistance wall adds another reason. I don't hate it, but I certainly don't like it much. An update: I lightly rounded some sections of the edges of the ejection port that the cartridges were contacting with a fine metal file, and am having much greater ejection success. Cartridges are hanging up a lot less while ejecting with this fairly mild rounding/smoothing. More pics later. |
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Originally Posted By PreacherOfGadget: I do not like the resistance either. I planned to cut those wings down anyway to use with an FM Ranch lower. That odd resistance wall adds another reason. I don't hate it, but I certainly don't like it much. An update: I lightly rounded some sections of the edges of the ejection port that the cartridges were contacting with a fine metal file, and am having much greater ejection success. Cartridges are hanging up a lot less while ejecting with this fairly mild rounding/smoothing. More pics later. |
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Coworker in MD bought a full Grendel upper after I sent him the bolt action upper link Read here that they're going to be selling the receiver bolt build it yourself kit His roommate is getting in on it. New buyer got him a 10% discount for the total order of 3 kits Comes out to $178.39 a set including shipping & taxes |
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Wish I hadn't seen this thread, because it's got an idea for a short 300blk pistol brewing in my head like indigestion. If someone wanted a short 300blk pistol for suppressed use, this seems like it would be a significantly cheaper route than the Pork Sword or other actual bolt action builds. |
| I take it you are having no chambering issues with the BCA .458 SOCOM bolt or did you get a TROMIX bolt along with the barrel? BCA .458 bolts have often been the source of feeding problems in a semi because of improperly shaped extractors and ejectors, but if you are not having any feeding problems and are still using the BCA bolt, don't muck with it. |
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Originally Posted By VTD: Yes Originally Posted By VTD: Originally Posted By TNRonin: Are you sure it's not the spring resistance from the hammer? I think I saw on a youtube video some where, a guy was breaking his down, and he did not have spring/buffer in the buffer tube. All he had was the spring on the back of the bolt, and he said that is what gave it some resistance when he was chambering a round? That this spring on the back of the bolt helps keep the bolt locked into place? Im doing all this by memory, but the same guy, ground down just a smidge of his ejection port so the bolt would have more "meat" to hold it in place and not rotate open as easily when he was hiking with it on his back.......I will have to look for the video, so dont quote me on any of this. I havent got one yet, but ordering one. I also want one when they come out for a ar10 platform. I just thought they would be the perfect lightweight bolt gun, and super easy to change calibers and barrels, specially in the ar10 version. Glad to see a bunch of these coming out, Ive bought from BCA before and have a 6.5 Grendel that has shot fantastic since I bought it, and a 300 BO upper as well. |
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Originally Posted By Big-Bore: I take it you are having no chambering issues with the BCA .458 SOCOM bolt or did you get a TROMIX bolt along with the barrel? BCA .458 bolts have often been the source of feeding problems in a semi because of improperly shaped extractors and ejectors, but if you are not having any feeding problems and are still using the BCA bolt, don't muck with it. Originally Posted By Big-Bore: I take it you are having no chambering issues with the BCA .458 SOCOM bolt or did you get a TROMIX bolt along with the barrel? BCA .458 bolts have often been the source of feeding problems in a semi because of improperly shaped extractors and ejectors, but if you are not having any feeding problems and are still using the BCA bolt, don't muck with it. I got the matching Tromix bolt. For myself, I'm not gonna use a BCA bolt, especially not when I can get one matched to the barrel. No issues chambering at all. After building my .458 pistol and reading a lot of your and Tony's posts over a couple of years (here and on 458 socom forums) I got well versed on the potential feeding issues. To make it clear, I believe that the ejection issues were strictly due to the port door geometry. The inside edges were sharp -- there may have been small burrs, or rolled metal on one of those edges. All other issues aside, that port door is a tight fit for large cased ammo. It's functional for it, but the amount of room for error in the geometry is very slim. After the fact, I wonder if just the 1k grit would have been enough, but I'm thinking not. It took several rounds of gentle work to get it ejecting. Originally Posted By Southernfried: I think I saw on a youtube video some where, a guy was breaking his down, and he did not have spring/buffer in the buffer tube. All he had was the spring on the back of the bolt, and he said that is what gave it some resistance when he was chambering a round? That this spring on the back of the bolt helps keep the bolt locked into place? Im doing all this by memory, but the same guy, ground down just a smidge of his ejection port so the bolt would have more "meat" to hold it in place and not rotate open as easily when he was hiking with it on his back.......I will have to look for the video, so dont quote me on any of this. I havent got one yet, but ordering one. I also want one when they come out for a ar10 platform. I just thought they would be the perfect lightweight bolt gun, and super easy to change calibers and barrels, specially in the ar10 version. Glad to see a bunch of these coming out, Ive bought from BCA before and have a 6.5 Grendel that has shot fantastic since I bought it, and a 300 BO upper as well. There's a small spring on the tail of the bolt. When the carrier is pushed all the way forward and the round chambers, the spring compresses between the bolt and the carrier. When the carrier is rotated into the locked position, it is pushes the charging handle into the vertical flat at the rear of the cutout at the front of the ejection port. These two surfaces pushing against each other creates enough friction to hold the carrier in place. ETA more response to big-bore |
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Originally Posted By Southernfried: I think I saw on a youtube video some where, a guy was breaking his down, and he did not have spring/buffer in the buffer tube. All he had was the spring on the back of the bolt, and he said that is what gave it some resistance when he was chambering a round? That this spring on the back of the bolt helps keep the bolt locked into place? Im doing all this by memory, but the same guy, ground down just a smidge of his ejection port so the bolt would have more "meat" to hold it in place and not rotate open as easily when he was hiking with it on his back.......I will have to look for the video, so dont quote me on any of this. I havent got one yet, but ordering one. I also want one when they come out for a ar10 platform. I just thought they would be the perfect lightweight bolt gun, and super easy to change calibers and barrels, specially in the ar10 version. Glad to see a bunch of these coming out, Ive bought from BCA before and have a 6.5 Grendel that has shot fantastic since I bought it, and a 300 BO upper as well. Originally Posted By Southernfried: Originally Posted By VTD: Originally Posted By TNRonin: Are you sure it's not the spring resistance from the hammer? I think I saw on a youtube video some where, a guy was breaking his down, and he did not have spring/buffer in the buffer tube. All he had was the spring on the back of the bolt, and he said that is what gave it some resistance when he was chambering a round? That this spring on the back of the bolt helps keep the bolt locked into place? Im doing all this by memory, but the same guy, ground down just a smidge of his ejection port so the bolt would have more "meat" to hold it in place and not rotate open as easily when he was hiking with it on his back.......I will have to look for the video, so dont quote me on any of this. I havent got one yet, but ordering one. I also want one when they come out for a ar10 platform. I just thought they would be the perfect lightweight bolt gun, and super easy to change calibers and barrels, specially in the ar10 version. Glad to see a bunch of these coming out, Ive bought from BCA before and have a 6.5 Grendel that has shot fantastic since I bought it, and a 300 BO upper as well. AR10 complete bolt action uppers available in 6.5 Creedmoor, 308, and 243 currently. https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/bca-exclusives/bolt-action-style/ar-10-bolt-action-style.html |
Originally Posted By ar-jedi:
SO MUCH WIN IN ONE POST IT COULD CRASH ARFCOM !!!
SO MUCH WIN IN ONE POST IT COULD CRASH ARFCOM !!!
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Originally Posted By Daggertt: They announced the 308 version at shot show along with the 6.5g, 556, etc do you happen to know what pattern? as we all know large frame ars are all over the place. armalite, dpms 1, dpms 2, and some of the other odd ball ones |
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Originally Posted By weapons_free: do you happen to know what pattern? as we all know large frame ars are all over the place. armalite, dpms 1, dpms 2, and some of the other odd ball ones |
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Originally Posted By TNRonin: I KNEW I kept the Combat Armory lower for a reason! Originally Posted By TNRonin: Originally Posted By ELittlefield: I'm sure they won't be, but I'd love them to fit my Palmetto lower. Looks like BCA uses the Gen 1 DPMS pattern. Their complete lowers aren't all that expensive anyhow, 200 bucks at the moment. I'm spent out for a while, but a BCA large frame bolt action is definitely going on my project list. Maybe sometime this summer. Really, I should get the lower now, and get the SBR stamp rolling... |
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Originally Posted By ELittlefield: Their complete lowers aren't all that expensive anyhow, 200 bucks at the moment. I'm spent out for a while, but a BCA large frame bolt action is definitely going on my project list. Maybe sometime this summer. Really, I should get the lower now, and get the SBR stamp rolling... I snagged one of their Glock copies and lower for Uber cheap about 2 years ago. Discovered it didn't work with the PSA PA 10 and it's just been sitting in the gun closet. I think I gave less than $99 for it. |
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I am a weak, weak man. I just ordered a 450 Bushmaster upper. It should pair nicely with my Obsidian 45, direct mounted. I don't feel like pushing things with a 3 lug mount. The handguard in the photo does have me a little concerned. Its top rail appears a good bit higher than the upper's rail. I'll be replacing the handguard with one out of my parts bin anyhow, but we'll see what it actually looks like when it arrives. |
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Originally Posted By ELittlefield: I am a weak, weak man. I just ordered a 450 Bushmaster upper. It should pair nicely with my Obsidian 45, direct mounted. I don't feel like pushing things with a 3 lug mount. I'm weak as well So....since I'm also not a smart man and would like to know...if i buy one of these BC-15 | .223/5.56 NATO And slap a barrel like this on it, I basically have a bolt-action upper? PSA barrel I assume per BCA's description "If using a barrel that is ported you will need to use a gas barrel sleeve or turn the gas block backwards to cover the port" I could install a BCA sleeve or turn a gas block around and that would work I can dig it. Been wanting something like that as a dedicated suppressed night time hunter running a thermal for coyote control. Any suggestions on a barrel nut and handguard for such a build? |
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Originally Posted By Burnsome-: I'm weak as well So....since I'm also not a smart man and would like to know...if i buy one of these BC-15 | .223/5.56 NATO And slap a barrel like this on it, I basically have a bolt-action upper? PSA barrel I assume per BCA's description "If using a barrel that is ported you will need to use a gas barrel sleeve or turn the gas block backwards to cover the port" I could install a BCA sleeve or turn a gas block around and that would work I can dig it. Been wanting something like that as a dedicated suppressed night time hunter running a thermal for coyote control. Any suggestions on a barrel nut and handguard for such a build? |
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Originally Posted By Burnsome-: I'm weak as well So....since I'm also not a smart man and would like to know...if i buy one of these BC-15 | .223/5.56 NATO And slap a barrel like this on it, I basically have a bolt-action upper? PSA barrel I assume per BCA's description "If using a barrel that is ported you will need to use a gas barrel sleeve or turn the gas block backwards to cover the port" I could install a BCA sleeve or turn a gas block around and that would work I can dig it. Been wanting something like that as a dedicated suppressed night time hunter running a thermal for coyote control. Any suggestions on a barrel nut and handguard for such a build? Originally Posted By Burnsome-: Originally Posted By ELittlefield: I am a weak, weak man. I just ordered a 450 Bushmaster upper. It should pair nicely with my Obsidian 45, direct mounted. I don't feel like pushing things with a 3 lug mount. I'm weak as well So....since I'm also not a smart man and would like to know...if i buy one of these BC-15 | .223/5.56 NATO And slap a barrel like this on it, I basically have a bolt-action upper? PSA barrel I assume per BCA's description "If using a barrel that is ported you will need to use a gas barrel sleeve or turn the gas block backwards to cover the port" I could install a BCA sleeve or turn a gas block around and that would work I can dig it. Been wanting something like that as a dedicated suppressed night time hunter running a thermal for coyote control. Any suggestions on a barrel nut and handguard for such a build? So to answer your question, yes. Put a barrel, barrel nut, and handguard on that kit, and you will have a bolt action upper. EDIT: See below. Not all handguards will fit if they include locating tabs. |
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Originally Posted By ELittlefield: If reviews and their advertising can be believed, literally any handguard that fits on a standard upper and barrel will fit on this. It takes any standard barrel nut but not all handguards will fit. The uppers a billet so handguards that use alignment tabs may or may not work since the shape is non-standard and the receiver is thicker. I had a Geissele Mk14 handguard in the parts bin that I was going to use, but the receiver was too thick for the tabs. |
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Originally Posted By ninja99: It takes any standard barrel nut but not all handguards will fit. The uppers a billet so handguards that use alignment tabs may or may not work since the shape is non-standard and the receiver is thicker. I had a Geissele Mk14 handguard in the parts bin that I was going to use, but the receiver was too thick for the tabs. Originally Posted By ninja99: Originally Posted By ELittlefield: If reviews and their advertising can be believed, literally any handguard that fits on a standard upper and barrel will fit on this. It takes any standard barrel nut but not all handguards will fit. The uppers a billet so handguards that use alignment tabs may or may not work since the shape is non-standard and the receiver is thicker. I had a Geissele Mk14 handguard in the parts bin that I was going to use, but the receiver was too thick for the tabs. Ah, good catch. I'll edit my post. |
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C'mon, man! Also, BCM's alignment tabs work fine with billet uppers like this. |
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Originally Posted By SSTPAC: Not with the rdb bolt, you'd have to use a 5.45 bolt so it would lock and not try and rotate. But the barrel should work Good to know, thanks! I had been thinking of a cheap 300blk barrel for subs only, but if there's a way to do 9mm and avoid having to stock another caliber (and the idiot KB risk) then that's something solid to consider. Presumably I'd need a mag adapter for the lower as well, right? |
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Yea you would have to feed it some how, but push feeding a short round might be problematic. It's a long ways of just floating in the receiver between feed lips and chamber. Check all of the lockup and fitment first before you go cracking rounds off. Just cause it "should" work doesn't mean it will work Maybe fed from a glock mag that feeds from the front of the magwell would work better |
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Originally Posted By VTD: The sleeve will come with the kit. I called BCA and asked about the gas-port barrel sleeve. They said their Receiver kit does not come with it and they dont sell it separately at this time Their suggestion is to go with an adjustable gas block to shut off the gas port. I'm wondering if Green Mountain or others might sell an AR barrel w/o a gas port drilled....off to check the interwebs Looking for a 10.5 or 11" barrel |
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Originally Posted By Burnsome-: I called BCA and asked about the gas-port barrel sleeve. They said their Receiver kit does not come with it and they dont sell it separately at this time Their suggestion is to go with an adjustable gas block to shut off the gas port. I'm wondering if Green Mountain or others might sell an AR barrel w/o a gas port drilled....off to check the interwebs Looking for a 10.5 or 11" barrel I can confirm this. i just got the upper and bolt in and it did not come with a sleeve.
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Originally Posted By Burnsome-: I called BCA and asked about the gas-port barrel sleeve. They said their Receiver kit does not come with it and they dont sell it separately at this time Their suggestion is to go with an adjustable gas block to shut off the gas port. I'm wondering if Green Mountain or others might sell an AR barrel w/o a gas port drilled....off to check the interwebs Looking for a 10.5 or 11" barrel |
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Originally Posted By Burnsome-: I called BCA and asked about the gas-port barrel sleeve. They said their Receiver kit does not come with it and they dont sell it separately at this time Their suggestion is to go with an adjustable gas block to shut off the gas port. I'm wondering if Green Mountain or others might sell an AR barrel w/o a gas port drilled....off to check the interwebs Looking for a 10.5 or 11" barrel I posted earlier in this thread about it. I called CS to confirm it did come with one and they said yes. When my receiver came in the mail, no sleeve. I called them up and they sent one……without the set screw. Called again, they mailed the set screw. To recap, my initial call they said they would not be selling the receiver by itself. A couple weeks later and it’s for sale. I called to confirm the receivers came with the sleeve and they said yes, it didn’t. If you have a standard gas block, you can mount it upside down or just face the gas port towards the muzzle. Both methods will block the gas port and act as a sleeve |
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Originally Posted By Burnsome-: I called BCA and asked about the gas-port barrel sleeve. They said their Receiver kit does not come with it and they dont sell it separately at this time Their suggestion is to go with an adjustable gas block to shut off the gas port. I'm wondering if Green Mountain or others might sell an AR barrel w/o a gas port drilled....off to check the interwebs Looking for a 10.5 or 11" barrel Sorry about that. |
BCA bolt action upper for $350? (Page 3 of 21)
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