BCA barrels?

[bj139]

I bought some blue Loctite and put some on my side charging bolt handle screw and the thumbscrews on the scope rings. These had been loosening up with shooting. The Loctite is working. No loosening after shooting 4 days ago.

The best group with the 16" BCA Grendel barrel was 4.75 MOA with Wolf steel ammo. I shot at 100 yds. The shots appear to be stringing horizontally.The second group was 7.0 MOA and the third group was 9.25 MOA. The sight picture looked about the same each time.

A few days before that I shot my AA Overwatch 24" Grendel and the best group with Wolf steel ammo was 1.25 MOA at 100 yds.
The scope thumbscrews had loosened then as well. The second group was 3.5 MOA. After tightening the screws the third group was 1.13 MOA.
The fourth group was 2.75 MOA. I haven't shot this upper since Loctiting the thumbscrews.

[bj139]

I took my 16" BCA barrel apart yesterday and lapped the receiver with the Wheeler lapping tool. The receiver was not square to the bore. I cleaned the area with brake cleaner and assembled the barrel and receiver with a thin layer on blue Loctite over the barrel extension. I tightened the barrel nut and checked the gas tube alignment. It is now just slightly out of alignment. It was OK before. I guess I need shims. I found Brownells sells them. I forgot to polish the feed ramps while the barrel was out of the receiver. Can the barrel be removed and reassembled if I want to polish the ramps?

[bj139]

After using the lapping tool with Rem oil for a lubricant the bolt slides in the receiver like greased lightning. Maybe some of the Teflon from the Rem oil was embedded in the receiver?

[VASCAR2]

Sounds good, curious how it shoots now that you lapped the reciever and bedded the barrel.

If you decide to remove the barrel from the receiver after being bedded with blue thread locker (Loctite or Permatex) you can use a hair dryer or heat gun. Many times a barrel can be tapped out using a woeden dowel or old broom handle squared off without any heat. If the barrel doesn't start moving on the first couple taps you can use some Kroil and heat and it should come out without a lot of effort.

[funnelcake]

bj139 - You might (if you haven't already) take a look @ the crown. I figured I'd take a chance and ordered an 18" straight-flute SS 5R BCA barrel & the crown is awful. Across one of the lands, it looks like two divots and the groove next to that land has what looks like a chip. The rest is OK (in comparison, but still not well done). I tried to get a decent pic but no luck so far; I'll keep trying before I box up to send back.

I got an RMA for it this morning...still waffling on trying one more but I'll probably just call AA & check lead times on their 18" tube.

[bj139]

I just ordered this:

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-...53686.aspx

I was going to make my own from rebar rather than spend $100 on the Geissele.
I figure $50 is a good deal. There is a cool video on this page on how to use it. Upside down.

On my way to the range to shoot the BCA. I will report back later.

[Lastrites]

I just ordered this:

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-...53686.aspx

I was going to make my own from rebar rather than spend $100 on the Geissele.
I figure $50 is a good deal. There is a cool video on this page on how to use it. Upside down.

On my way to the range to shoot the BCA. I will report back later.

That also allows for a 1/2" end socket to be inserted in the end of it to mount in a vice. Don't recall the size off hand.

Also, Botach sells one for $60 that has flats on the side. I do recall shipping issues with Botach many moons ago, I won't vouch for them.

[bj139]

I shot the 16" BCA SS barrel and it was doing about 4 MOA with Wolf steel ammo, slightly better than before lapping and bedding. I was hoping for more like 2 MOA.

[bj139]

I found an old thread discussing this issue.

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthrea...ing%20tool

[85_Ranger4x4]

I don't know if 4moa is too far out of line for Wolf.

I have never had any issue with a clamshell.

[bj139]

bj139 - You might (if you haven't already) take a look @ the crown. I figured I'd take a chance and ordered an 18" straight-flute SS 5R BCA barrel & the crown is awful. Across one of the lands, it looks like two divots and the groove next to that land has what looks like a chip. The rest is OK (in comparison, but still not well done). I tried to get a decent pic but no luck so far; I'll keep trying before I box up to send back.

I got an RMA for it this morning...still waffling on trying one more but I'll probably just call AA & check lead times on their 18" tube.

The crown looks OK with no divots or no unevenness from side to side. The lands look sharp and the crown has a sharp edge all around the inside.
I plan to shoot it tomorrow along with my AA Overwatch. I bought a Caldwell Lead Sled and it improves steadiness a great deal. I just clamp the rear to the bench top.

[bj139]

I shot my 2 Grendels today and shot a 1.20 MOA 3 shot group with the 16" BCA barrel on my first time trying factory 123g AMAX. It still shoots Wolf steel like crap.

I shot the 16" BCA barrel last Friday and the SST 5 shot group was 2.5 MOA (first target).

Second target was 16" BCA with 10 shots Wolf steel at about 7 MOA.

Third target was today's shooting with 16" BCA barrel - 1.20 MOA group with AMAX.

Fifth photo was the AA Overwatch upper with Wolf steel, SST and AMAX with 2.5, 1.5 and 1.20 MOA respectively.

The Overwatch does shoot the steel ammo much better than the BCA barrel. The BCA barrel is more particular with the ammo it shoots well. Of course three shot is not definitive but I wanted to end the day's shooting on a positve note. I will post more when I shoot more AMAX. I think I read 6.5mm AMAX is being discontinued and now understand why everyone was upset. Oh well.

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[tpepper70]

I haven't had any issues with my 18" BCA barrel. I only have 60 rounds through it. It has shot better the more rounds I shoot through it. Wolf is about 2 MOA and Hornady Black is MOA. I'm happy.

[ofhs93]

I know this is a really old thread....curious to find out if the BCA barrel was 5R or not...and the same with the Alexander. I've read that the Wolf doesnt like the 5R rifling from some places.

[VASCAR2]

Alexander arms barrels use SAAMI spec chamber with traditional Enfield style rifling. Bill Alexander posted his research indicated 5R barrels tended to be less accurate with bimetal steel jacket projectiles than traditional rifling, YMMV. Most of the barrels from BCA purchased by Forum members have been 5R rifling. I can’t say if all BCA 6.5 Grendel barrels were or are currently 5R. BCA changes their product line frequently.

Alexander Arms barrels tend to shoot Wolf steel cased bimetal bullet ammo as well as or better than about any other rack grade barrels. Custom high quality cut rifled barrels tend to shoot any ammo well. My Shilen button rifled SS 1:9 twist 6.5 Grendel barrel didn’t shoot Wolf steel cased ammo very accurately the one time I shot/chronographed Wolf.