Posts: 18
Threads: 2
Joined: Jan 2019
Hello all, first post here.
I will be receiving a new BCA 24 Stainless upper tomorrow. I have read all the reviews both good and bad, but decided I would give them a shot. I hope to get it out to the range next week and break it in. I will be using factory Hornady Black 123 ELD ammo, as this was all that is available in my tiny little piece of the world. I will post a range report and pictures of the groups when completed. Please wish me luck...
Posts: 6,193
Threads: 170
Joined: Mar 2015
Wish's going out for you to have good luck with it sir.
If it don't work out we have some dang fine green mountain group buy barrels for sale in the group buy section at the bottom of the home page.
Reviews so far are great my 20 inch is a dam fine shooter for sure.
Posts: 55
Threads: 0
Joined: Dec 2018
I took my brand new 20" BCA upper to the range yesterday afternoon to get it on paper.
I was shooting the Hornady ammunition that is specifically loaded for Sportsman's warehouse. It is a 123grn HPBT ~2550fps at the muzzle(that's what Hornady claims)
I got the rifle to near center on the 100yd target and was pretty happy with how the upper is shooting. All the rounds went in the direction they were aimed and the upper and the ACS magazines were functioning very well.
I have a DPMS GII Hunter in .308 that I shoot long range with, the DPMS is incredibly accurate when I do my part to properly shoot it.
I used the same technique with the BCA upper and I am very happy to see the upper shooting less than MOA at 100yds. Sub MOA with commercial ammunition is pretty exciting for me because I can imagine what I can do with reloading.
I was worried about all the negative reviews I was finding everywhere. I got a shooter.
I also fell in love with the 6.5 Grendel round yesterday, all bark and no bite, easy to shoot and more obvious power out of an AR15 platform.
I know when I save up some more money, I will be doing my best to get in on the group buys on this forum. I want more!
Posts: 172
Threads: 9
Joined: Jul 2018
Congrats on the new upper. Glad it working for you. BCA can make some good stuff it's just hit and miss, pun intended.
Posts: 18
Threads: 2
Joined: Jan 2019
I have a Springfield Saint in 5.56 and I have never been a fan of that round, so I am going to buy one of the 20” Monster barrels and a bolt and convert it to my new favorite round...6.5 GRENDEL!
Oh, by the way, thanks for the information on the Sportsman’s Warehouse ammo, I ordered a 200 round can today.
Posts: 6
Threads: 2
Joined: Jan 2019
New to the 6.5, but I took my Aero Precision lower and two BCA uppers to the range today. The anodized 24" BCA shot a 3/4" group at 100 yards when I got it sighted in with a Viper HS scope. I also tried out a new (maybe 3 shots) 18" stainless upper that I got at the FW gun show. It would consistently shoot 1-1/2" groups and to tell the truth, the dot at the middle of the scope reticle (cheapo AIM 4x illuminated) covers the whole center of the target so I don't know how I can consistently get better than that.
I used Hornady Black ammo in both. The 24" did a great job on a day with a gusty crosswind. The 18" seems to be fine also. I'd have to put a good scope on it to make smaller groups, but it's a pig hunting gun.
Posts: 18
Threads: 2
Joined: Jan 2019
I’m really looking forward to seeing what mine will do. I have, in the last couple of months been seeing a more positive view towards BCA, so I hope that they are trying to improve not only their QC process but CS experiences as well. I wish I had found this forum before purchasing the upper as I would have just bought the Monster barrel and bolt then. I still plan on purchasing the pair and refitting my Saint.
Posts: 55
Threads: 0
Joined: Dec 2018
01-05-2019, 07:39 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-05-2019, 07:40 PM by Warlock.)
DD25,
Did you get a chance to put your new upper on paper? I hope your upper shows potential.
I will say of all the rifles I own, the BCA upper and my two Ruger #1s are the only rifles that shot well out of the gate.
I had all intentions of blasting 200 rounds down the BCA tube to break it in and then trying to figure out how to make it shoot. I wouldn't be surprised if your upper shoots well out of the box and I hope it does.
I'm one of the few people left who still use moly, I have experienced all the good sides of moly and none of the bad. I believe I will try moly on the BCA upper and see what happens, if worse comes to worst, I clean the moly out of the tube and go back to uncoated bullets. One never knows.
Anyway, let us know how your new upper shoots please. Like you, I'm saving my duckies up for another 6.5 barrel and bolt. I will have another 6.5 Grendel before the year is out.
Posts: 18
Threads: 2
Joined: Jan 2019
Warlock, I just received the upper this afternoon. I was very pleased with the fit and finish though. I have read that many times the feed ramps are rough and the barrel doesn’t look good either. I put a bore camera inside the barrel and I was happy with what I saw. The feed ramps weren’t perfect but more than satisfactory. The fit between the receiver and rail looks great. I am going to try and get it on paper around the middle of the week if my ammo gets here. Pictures and range report will follow.
Posts: 119
Threads: 1
Joined: Oct 2018
I took my BCA 20” 6.5 g out for the first time yesterday, was only able to run a few boxes of Hornady Black out to 50 yards but had no issues and I was happy with the groups. I thought my second shot went wild til I realized I put the second shot thru the same hole. I wasn’t shooting off a bench or rest so I was just doing a function check and getting my scope on paper for when I can. It’s a soft shooter and ran right the first time. I can’t complain for $230 for a complete upper.
Posts: 18
Threads: 2
Joined: Jan 2019
I’m really hoping for the best on this low cost upper, but at the same time I am going to be realistic about what this actually is. I bought this strictly for plinking and because I didn’t know about the Monster barrel on this forum when I purchased this one. I actually wanted the Hardened Arms upper but it was out of stock and I couldn’t get a definitive answer as to when it would be back in stock. I also looked at the CBC Industries upper.
Posts: 18
Threads: 2
Joined: Jan 2019
Well, I just took the new upper to a friend of mine who happens to be a very good gunsmith and had him take a closer look at it and after some measurements and a barrel inspection with a Endosnake, his findings have caused me to begin the return process. Thankfully I bought the upper from Primary Arms and they are great to work with. I am going to exchange it for a Radical Arms 24” Stainless upper.
Posts: 172
Threads: 9
Joined: Jul 2018
DeputyDog25 Wrote:Well, I just took the new upper to a friend of mine who happens to be a very good gunsmith and had him take a closer look at it and after some measurements and a barrel inspection with a Endosnake, his findings have caused me to begin the return process. Thankfully I bought the upper from Primary Arms and they are great to work with. I am going to exchange it for a Radical Arms 24” Stainless upper.
What was it that he found concerning? I am not surprised just curious.
Posts: 18
Threads: 2
Joined: Jan 2019
Feedramps looked like they were done with a hand drill and end mill, headspace was way out of spec, inside of barrel was roughly finished. He said that there was no way he would fire a round through the barrel and was shocked it made it through a QC check.
Posts: 172
Threads: 9
Joined: Jul 2018
DeputyDog25 Wrote:He said that there was no way he would fire a round through the barrel and was shocked it made it through a QC check.
You would be surprised how many barrels can pass QC if you just don't check them
Since you are in the market for a new upper I'll start you off by suggesting you assemble your own. It's not necessarily cheaper but you are your own QC and you get it just the way you want it! Checkout the GB barrels on this forum. Probably the best budget option available.
Posts: 119
Threads: 1
Joined: Oct 2018
Sorry your BCA was a lemon. Hope they treat you right.
Before you plunk down on a Radical Firearms upper you may want to read up on their CS. I bought a RF 7.62x39 10” upper minus BCG for cheap years ago and it’s a great shooter, no issues, but I bought it knowing it was a gamble. I’ve read a lot of angry posts about RF not taking a bad upper back.
PSA may be a safer bet for a budget upper, their CS is very good.
