05-18-2023, 11:41 PM (This post was last modified: 05-19-2023, 01:19 PM by Coop.)
So I posted on the BCA uppers on sale. But loving this rifle so much, thought I would post as a light review. I bought a 18" stainless complete upper in 6.5 Grendal. The box came in 3 days. The upper was ready to shoot out of box. Very clean, no debris or grease. Lightly oiled and ready to shoot. I had 60 rds of Hornady black 123gr eldm. I have a short Hawke 1.5x5 32mm on it took 2 shots to sight in. Ran a 5" GA Jager' can the whole time. Rock River lower, 2 stage trigger 1.5lb. Then I started shooting groups. I never cleaned gun, or did any breakin. Just shooting it, shot first group at .6 moa. I shot all 60rds not one failure, with can it got very dirty, but still no failures. Groups were all MOA or better. Had some 3 shot at .4moa and a 7shot .7 moa.
Many seem to have bad luck with BCA. This is my 2nd I have a .450BM that's just awesome too.
Wednesday went out to 200yd range and it did very well. Only shot 15 rds but no failures, using same 123gr eldm. Had chrono avg 2543. 3 five shot groups avg 1.5 moa, best .7moa.
My upper was different as to the need for cleaning. the bore and upper reciever were liberally coated with a very sticky grease. Had to use a brush and carb cleaner to get the bore clean. Rag and Brake fluid worked for the reciever and bolt. I have fire 27 rounds through it and both reloads tested shot very well though one was just a Moscow match thing. Going out right now to try the newest load using 29.5 grains of BLC2 and the 120 gr. Barnes Matchburner. I have some Hornady Black ELDM but have enough brass not to need to shoot it up.
rickt300 Wrote:My upper was different as to the need for cleaning. the bore and upper reciever were liberally coated with a very sticky grease. Had to use a brush and carb cleaner to get the bore clean. Rag and Brake fluid worked for the reciever and bolt. I have fire 27 rounds through it and both reloads tested shot very well though one was just a Moscow match thing. Going out right now to try the newest load using 29.5 grains of BLC2 and the 120 gr. Barnes Matchburner. I have some Hornady Black ELDM but have enough brass not to need to shoot it up.
And supposedly every BCA upper only leaves the premises after having 3 shots test-fired at their proving range. Hard to believe that one was fired and retained all that grease in the bore and even harder to believe that they test-fired it and THEN greased it up like it was going into cold storage.
Not doubting you at all; just doubting BCA carried through on their claims.
I found some Hornady 123gr SST Saturday. Took it out for a spin with that round. It didn't group as well as the 123gr eldm, but still decent. I only shot 3 groups of 3 and 1 group of 5. 3 shot 1st group 1.25", 2nd 1", 3rd 1.125". 5 shot 1.25".
I have some reloads to try today after work. Trying 85gr Hammer Hunter with TAC. And 120gr eldm with TAC and CFE223. Still no failures of any kind.
ported45 Wrote:And supposedly every BCA upper only leaves the premises after having 3 shots test-fired at their proving range. Hard to believe that one was fired and retained all that grease in the bore and even harder to believe that they test-fired it and THEN greased it up like it was going into cold storage.
Not doubting you at all; just doubting BCA carried through on their claims.
I have ordered and received an upper that actually came with three fired cases from BCA, not this one. I imagine with their volume they use customers as test personnel at times.
Okay more data with hand loads, all 3 shot groups @83 degrees. Waited 15 mins between groups for barrel to return to cool to touch. Real good results with 85gr HH, TAC @2.166 coal. 30gr 2801 .7moa SD 11, 30.5 2850 .6moa SD 7, 31 2890 .8moa SD 8 some pressure with ejector marks. Going to look more around that 30.3 to 30.7 area. Wanting this for main hunting flat shooting load. Plan to try 99gr HH too.
120gr eldm with cfe 223 @2.245 first group one hole like .2moa 30gr 2460 SD 5, 30.5 1.2moa 2500 SD 18, 31gr 2.25moa 2550 SD 16, 31.5 1.2moa 2588 SD 12 very faint ejector marks. Will play more with that 30gr area to make sure its a stable load.
Looking good. Haven't done any real new load development just loaded up what worked before in other rifles. Think I will do some hunting with it before I change anything. I need to get a set of 30mm rings.
Glad that your experience with them was better than mine was a couple of years ago. They ended up making it right after months of hounding them. The 20 Grendel upper that I ended up with (I ordered an 18) is very accurate and functions well after some polishing and break in. The first one that I received would not cycle and had to be mortared to clear the round in the chamber, and had a VERY rough chamber that left brass looking rough
Finished my load devolvement for now. My Hunting load is 85grHH 2850fps 30.5 gr of TAC 2" high @100 =225yd dead on. -5.5" 300yd.
Target and backup hunting Hornady 120gr eldm 30.2 cfe223 2488. I will be testing the new released tipped Hammer hunters soon.[ATTACH=CONFIG]19771[/ATTACH]
