First AR (Grendel) Build - many questions

[wreckster84]

Background: to add versatility to a 5.56 coyote/varmint gun (18” SST Wylde RLGS), I purchased a budget-priced complete Grendel upper from Battle Creek Armory. Existing lower is PSA, Magpul fixed rifle stock, rifle buffer and spring. The new upper is an 18” MLGS fluted SST + Kaw Valley linear comp, on which I mounted a Burris 2-7x35. First trip to the range was a disaster accuracy-wise because the rifle would not group with Hornady factory 123g SST and ELD Match rounds. Consecutive shots @100 yds were moving multiple inches left and right which made me think it had to be a scope issue which I plan to check out this week. I did mount a Vortex 1-6x24 (known good optic) and plan to go back to the range later this week.

A couple of questions:
1) Is there anything mismatched between buffer/spring, gas system, and bullet weight?
2) Will an 18” MLGS run OK with rifle buffer and spring?
3) Anyone here with experience shooting a Battle Creek upper?
4) Should I expect accuracy to be affected with a KV linear comp?

Thanks for reading and glad to join the horde.

[A5BLASTER]

Best to start with the scope and mount. Then we can go from there.

Your upper is a not know product to the horde and could be the problem but let's start with the usual suspects first scope and mount.

[A5BLASTER]

Best to start with the scope and mount. Then we can go from there.

Your upper is a not know product to the horde and could be the problem but let's start with the usual suspects first scope and mount.

[Mesa1978]

Battle Creek offers to support their product, I would begin by engaging them in a conversation.

[HuntTXhogs]

If Battle Creek used a Bear Creek Arsenal barrel then that needs to be considered as a part to check when troubleshooting.

[VASCAR2]

Apparently this is a business in the Minneapolis metro area. They use the same initials as Bear Creek Armory (BCA) but their web site doesn’t identify the source of their barrels. First time I remember hearing about Battle Creek Armory.


https://www.battlecreekarmory.com/category-s/338.htm

[Mopar forever]

I wander if they are bear creek arsenal barrels. One of the pictures has the same muzzle break that BCA uses. The others have Standard A2’s.

[wreckster84]

They are basically a component assembler which is how many companies start. He (Charles) has a reasonable reputation and stands behind what he sells.

[mdram]

They are basically a component assembler which is how many companies start. He (Charles) has a reasonable reputation and stands behind what he sells.

thats fine, but i personally would want to know who made each part
especially the barrel.

[HuntTXhogs]

They are basically a component assembler which is how many companies start. He (Charles) has a reasonable reputation and stands behind what he sells.

You can chase your tail and blow as many rounds as you want down the barrel.

Just trying to save you time and money - if it’s a Bear Creek barrel then there is where I would start if accuracy is doing voodoo-ish things.

Shouldn’t take but a few tries to find a BCA barrel that will shoot right...

[Mopar forever]

My BCA barrel hates SST’s ( 5moa) but don’t do to bad with the 123 eldm or the 123 hpbt 1-1.5 moa. But after 10-15 rounds it will really open up when it’s hot. It’s gotta be cool

[Rosecrans1]

Concentrate on the usual suspects when you have a new to you or new gun first!
The rail, the mount and the scope. Confirm that the majority of the issues isn't sight related. If it's a mil-spec trigger, how crappy is it? Enough to cause those swings at 100 yards. After your initial range visit, did you clean the barrel? Did you clean the barrel before firing it to get any filings or cutting oils out of it? Give the barrel another real good cleaning and look at the patches under a magnifier. You have a known good scope but make sure that rail is good to go. Just a little bit of slop can wreak havoc on accuracy. Clean the barrel real well and head back to the range for another go of it!

[wreckster84]

Range update: went back today after laser sighting the rifle which turned out unsuccessful. Took longer than expected to get it "on paper". Target at 100yds, 85 degrees, <5mph wind at my back, shooting from a bag rest on concrete bench. Ammo: Hornady BTHP 123g and one 3 shot group of Black ELD Match.

The results are posted below which are unmpressive for sure, but I'll admit some of it was the shooter. I think this enough to indicate scope issues the first time out so I'll be sending my scope back to Burris. Still not satisfied with these groups. Suggestions from here? Should I still be concerned about upper issues? Thanks.

[wreckster84]

A couple more...

[HuntTXhogs]

Nope , your good to go - enjoy you BCA upper!

[FLshooter]

BCA will replace your barrel if you’re not satisfied after 300 rounds. But by the time you get a barrel that you’re satisfied with,you may have burned $1000 worth of ammo and wasted a ton of time.And then ,there’s the likelihood you will realize that BCA is a waste of time and you may as well buy a quality barrel.
That’s where I’m at.I owned a couple of BCA barrels.Never got the performance out of them that I wanted. So I sold the BCA barrels to a sucker on EBay or wherever I could find one and replaced with a quality barrel.Been happy shooting small groups ever since!