Originally Posted By ELittlefield:
Bear Creek keeps peeling 300 bucks out of me, time after time after time. They make parts that someone with some experience can get to work, and they're making things nobody else is at the price point. I think their side charging uppers, for 130 bucks, are absolutely outstanding for variant cartridge guns. In the last year I've bought 3x bolt action uppers, which are now a silent 300 Blackout, a silent 450 Bushmaster, and a Can Cannon. I've bought side charging uppers that are now a 338 ARC, a 450 Bushmaster, a 22 magnum upper that is perhaps the best of the bunch, and left hand charge 300 Blackout without a gas system, a straight bolt action. Also an 8.6 Blackout upper, but I haven't gotten around to buying a large frame lower yet.

People mock Bear Creek, and perhaps they aren't the best buy for a standard 5.56 carbine... but damned if they don't build some unique stuff that just works.

Originally Posted By ELittlefield:

Right now, I think the 338 ARC is a darn neat cartridge in its own right, with a caveat. It seems to do its best work with subsonics, in the low 300 grain range. The problem is magazines. I've found that 10 round 400 Legend Duramags work great, but they don't fit in 17 and 24 round 6.5 Grendel magazines. I have some 20 round ARC Duramags on the way. If it's not able to work well with higher capacity magazines, 20+ rounds, I don't really see the point of it in comparison to something like a 450 Bushmaster. If I'm going to be limited to 10 ish rounds, I might as well have the greater power and versatility, and more available ammo, of the Bushmaster.

Now the 8.6... that seems to actually be something different. The 1:3 twist rate, and (expensive) machined bullets take advantage of a new wounding mechanism that SEEMS to make subsonics punch far, far above their muzzle energy. I'll hold off on commenting about it too much, since I don't have hands on experience, but my initial research is extremely positive.

Originally Posted By ELittlefield:

Right now, I think the 338 ARC is a darn neat cartridge in its own right, with a caveat. It seems to do its best work with subsonics, in the low 300 grain range. The problem is magazines. I've found that 10 round 400 Legend Duramags work great, but they don't fit in 17 and 24 round 6.5 Grendel magazines. I have some 20 round ARC Duramags on the way. If it's not able to work well with higher capacity magazines, 20+ rounds, I don't really see the point of it in comparison to something like a 450 Bushmaster. If I'm going to be limited to 10 ish rounds, I might as well have the greater power and versatility, and more available ammo, of the Bushmaster.

Now the 8.6... that seems to actually be something different. The 1:3 twist rate, and (expensive) machined bullets take advantage of a new wounding mechanism that SEEMS to make subsonics punch far, far above their muzzle energy. I'll hold off on commenting about it too much, since I don't have hands on experience, but my initial research is extremely positive.

Originally Posted By Heartbreak3r:
I have two friends who bought Bear Creek uppers. The uppers are fine, but DO NOT buy their BCGs. It was causing multiple feeding issues and when I took it apart, the bolt and firing pin looked like an angry beaver had gone to town on them. Buy even a budget BCG from someone else and you'll probably be fine.

Originally Posted By ELittlefield:

I'll keep an eye out for them. Thanks.

Originally Posted By EDL:
I have three BC uppers.  A 16" side charger in 350 Legend, an 18" in 223 wild/stainless 5R barrel, and a 20" stainless in 6.5Grendel with an ATN night scope.  

All function without issue.  The only issue I had was with the Grendel mags.  I bought an E-Lander that a lot of people swore by and it sometimes fails to feed.  I also bought a CMMG mag and it runs without issue.

The 350 shoots very well, MOA on most occasions with the Winchester 150 X-Treme Tip ammo (I have so much 350 legend ammo I haven't gotten around to reloading any yet).  I put it together back when 350 first came out and Walmart and Dunhams Sporting Goods was selling ammo at $20 a box, and $11.99 a box for 142 grain FMJ.  I would buy every box they had in stock every time I went to the store.  I have the 142 FMJ, 150's, and 180 grain Win soft points.  It shoots the 180's decently, but not as good as the 150's.  I did try a box of Browning 124 grain FMJ, but it uses round nose bullets and they won't feed since the the upper has standard M4 feed ramps.

The 18" in 223 Wylde runs well and is also very accurate with 62 grain ammo.  It is not one of their side chargers though (kinda wishing now it was).

But, the 6.5 Grendel is by far the most accurate. Even with Hornady Black 123 grain ammo, it shoots ragged holes at 100 yards.

Have several folks at my rod & gun club did builds with BCA uppers.  For the most part, they've all been pretty good.  One fellow did have an issue, but BCA took care of it.  My son-in-law bought a 350 upper, same as mine, and when he got it, it wouldn't chamber a round (it literally would not go all the way in and you had to rip it out with pliers).  He called, sent it back, they sent a new one and all is good.  To top it off, the little bastard took it hunting (the first time he's ever been deer hunting in his life) and scored a huge 10-point on opening day! (no, I'm not jealous...lol).

I'll probably get another upper from them for another build...just not sure what yet.  Part of me wants a 50 Beowulf "just because", but some of the other calibers are also on the want list.

Don't worry though, you're probably gonna get the "I wouldn't buy that trash" posts from peeps, but if you want to try something different and don't mind possibly having to call customer service, you're not going to beat their prices for what you get.  

Would I take one into battle...no, but I don't see where or when I'd ever have to.

Originally Posted By ELittlefield:
Bear Creek keeps peeling 300 bucks out of me, time after time after time. They make parts that someone with some experience can get to work, and they're making things nobody else is at the price point. I think their side charging uppers, for 130 bucks, are absolutely outstanding for variant cartridge guns. In the last year I've bought 3x bolt action uppers, which are now a silent 300 Blackout, a silent 450 Bushmaster, and a Can Cannon. I've bought side charging uppers that are now a 338 ARC, a 450 Bushmaster, a 22 magnum upper that is perhaps the best of the bunch, and left hand charge 300 Blackout without a gas system, a straight bolt action. Also an 8.6 Blackout upper, but I haven't gotten around to buying a large frame lower yet.

People mock Bear Creek, and perhaps they aren't the best buy for a standard 5.56 carbine... but damned if they don't build some unique stuff that just works.

Originally Posted By EDL:
The only complaint i have is that their uppers are all with heavy barrels.  That 20" I built in 6.5 Grendel is a heavy girl.  Requires a tripod or a bench.

https://i.imgur.com/YP1wZMC.jpeg

Originally Posted By EDL:
Ta da!  There we go, I knew one of the snobs would be along before too long....