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+--- Thread: Hi from New England (/showthread.php?tid=20997)
Hi from New England - St_Vic - 04-10-2020
Hey all,
Dipped my toe into the grendel world for a long distance hunting round. Went with a BCA upper when everything else was sold out or more than a rifle. Anyone know of outdoor ranges in new england for zeroing this thing and getting some accuracy tests? Will eventually change the upper out or something. Can I just buy a lilja barrel and have a gunsmith make the swap for me and end up with something accurate for 600 yards?
Anyway, total noob here. I have read the forums nightly now for awhile and the info has been a godsend. all the best.
St Vic
Hi from New England - VASCAR2 - 04-10-2020
Welcome to the forum St-Vic! Your plan is very doable and is really not difficult to swap a barrel on an AR-15. There are several members from the Empire State that can give you info on places to shoot. Did you get a Stainless, Nitride or Chrome Moly Valium steel barrel and what barrel length did you order?
Hi from New England - FLshooter - 04-10-2020
Welcome from Floridas Spacecoast
I started out with several BCA uppers.I swapped out the BCA barrel with a custom Bartlein 24 heavy barrel in one of my 6.5 Grendel BCA uppers. I also had to change out the gas block.A Lilja barrel is right up there with a Bartlien.
Just get a Magpul BEV block. The guys on this forum will be able to walk you through it ,piece of cake!
Hi from New England - St_Vic - 04-10-2020
On the BCA its 16 inches and parkerized. This upper : https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/6-5-grendel-16-parkerized-heavy-barrel-1-8-twist-carbine-length-gas-system-15-mlok-split-rail-upper . Is it cool to drive through a state as long as you end up at a place you're going to do training at like a range?
Hi from New England - St_Vic - 04-10-2020
FLshooter Wrote:Welcome from Floridas Spacecoast
I started out with several BCA uppers.I swapped out the BCA barrel with a custom Bartlein 24 heavy barrel in one of my 6.5 Grendel BCA uppers. I also had to change out the gas block.A Lilja barrel is right up there with a Bartlien.
Just get a Magpul BEV block. The guys on this forum will be able to walk you through it ,piece of cake!
How does one know if you need to change out the gas block with any given barrel? I sincerely appreciate the advice! Thank you.
Hi from New England - VASCAR2 - 04-10-2020
The reason FLshooter suggested you change the gas block is because the barrel uses a carbine gas block hidden inside the hand guard. It is not uncommon for barrel manufacture to use a large (over size) gas port hole in carbine length gas systems which makes the rifle over gassed. An adjustable gas block or adjustable gas bolt carrier gives you the option of tuning the gas for reliable function without excessive recoil. If a rifle is over gassed it can be hard (extra wear) on bolts and extractors.
You really need to test fire the upper and see how it shoots before you decide if you want to change anything. For 16 inch 6.5 Grendel I prefer mid length gas over carbine length gas. I have a 16 carbine gas upper but it can be over gassed with some ammo. Ive thought about changing my bolt carrier to an adjustable carrier but as of today I know which ammo is reliable and stick with that.
Hi from New England - St_Vic - 04-10-2020
VASCAR2 Wrote:The reason FLshooter suggested you change the gas block is because the barrel uses a carbine gas block hidden inside the hand guard. It is not uncommon for barrel manufacture to use a large (over size) gas port hole in carbine length gas systems which makes the rifle over gassed. An adjustable gas block or adjustable gas bolt carrier gives you the option of tuning the gas for reliable function without excessive recoil. If a rifle is over gassed it can be hard (extra wear) on bolts and extractors.
You really need to test fire the upper and see how it shoots before you decide if you want to change anything. For 16 inch 6.5 Grendel I prefer mid length gas over carbine length gas. I have a 16 carbine gas upper but it can be over gassed with some ammo. Ive thought about changing my bolt carrier to an adjustable carrier but as of today I know which ammo is reliable and stick with that.
Oh ok. I see. Sorry I am extremely new to all this. The idea with the barrel swap was I saw a ton of BCA upper posts where people couldn't get sub MOA groups at all and in my basic understanding of what makes a rifle accurate (minus user error) the barrel would account for a good amount of that. Also I think for 600 yards 18-20 inches would probably be my move for an upgrade but like you said I need to shoot this upper first. Has been hard, lockdown and no long distance outdoor ranges. Soon, soon. Thanks again!
Hi from New England - Klem - 04-10-2020
St_Vic Wrote:How does one know if you need to change out the gas block with any given barrel? I sincerely appreciate the advice! Thank you.
Look at where the spent cases are landing. If they eject forward of right angles; i.e. 2 O'Clock, then you have more rearward cycling energy than you need.
Hi from New England - A5BLASTER - 04-11-2020
Welcome to the horde sir.
Hi from New England - just_john - 04-11-2020
Welcome to the clan,SV, from the great nation of Texas! You say your from New England but that covers a lot of states, specifics? Some BCA barrels / upper assemblies give horrible results some give outstanding ones. Before you put any more money into it, try it and see what your starting place is. If your groups are about 1-1/2" or less, then you might try taking the upper apart and just reassembling it properly ( already a lot of discussions about how to do that - it isn't difficult - just a few simple tools ). If it still isn't acceptable then throw money at it. In the mean time, you've learned a lot.
Hi from New England - St_Vic - 04-16-2020
Klem Wrote:Look at where the spent cases are landing. If they eject forward of right angles; i.e. 2 O'Clock, then you have more rearward cycling energy than you need.
Thank you! Noted.
Hi from New England - St_Vic - 04-16-2020
just_john Wrote:Welcome to the clan,SV, from the great nation of Texas! You say your from New England but that covers a lot of states, specifics? Some BCA barrels / upper assemblies give horrible results some give outstanding ones. Before you put any more money into it, try it and see what your starting place is. If your groups are about 1-1/2" or less, then you might try taking the upper apart and just reassembling it properly ( already a lot of discussions about how to do that - it isn't difficult - just a few simple tools ). If it still isn't acceptable then throw money at it. In the mean time, you've learned a lot.
Very true. New England is actually like the size of 5 TX cities so I could say the same to you. Sometimes VT, sometimes CT. Hope to move to NH or ME one day to escape the lunacy.
Hi from New England - just_john - 04-16-2020
I worked for a company in Wuh'stuh', MA for a couple of years. Beautiful country up there, didn't even mind the winters. But watching a surplus duece-and-a-half drive down the frozen Quinsigamond River really messed with my mind. I don't think you find any place that completely escapes the lunacy.
Hi from New England - St_Vic - 04-17-2020
just_john Wrote:I worked for a company in Wuh'stuh', MA for a couple of years. Beautiful country up there, didn't even mind the winters. But watching a surplus duece-and-a-half drive down the frozen Quinsigamond River really messed with my mind. I don't think you find any place that completely escapes the lunacy.
haha. Sounds like you got some of the authentic New England experience, friend. I've been through a lot of TX at this point but haven't yet had the chance to try living there for an extended stay. Great place, great folk.