Best BCG

[GrendelDO]

I’m sure this has been covered and debated multiple times. I have searched but can’t seem to find any info. I have ordered a Wilson Combat 16” barrel with gas block and tube. I have also order a San Tan Pillar upper. My question is what’s the consensus on the best BCG? I’ve seen recommendations for tool craft, PSA, JP, but not general consensus. Does it make sense to match the barrel with a Wilson Combat bolt?

[montana]

I’m sure this has been covered and debated multiple times. I have searched but can’t seem to find any info. I have ordered a Wilson Combat 16” barrel with gas block and tube. I have also order a San Tan Pillar upper. My question is what’s the consensus on the best BCG? I’ve seen recommendations for tool craft, PSA, JP, but not general consensus. Does it make sense to match the barrel with a Wilson Combat bolt?

The only real way to know the quality of a BCG is to gauge the one you have compared to the bolt you are using. The size of the bolt shoulder and bolt tail compared to the bolt carrier tail bore and shoulder support bore will determine the gas efficiency and the slop in the BCG.. You can have two of the same BCG's and bolts from the same manufacturer with different internal and external sizes when gauged..Colt, BCM, Sons of Liberty Gun Works, Sionics are some of the most consistent BCG's I have gauged. I'm a little leery of nitride BCG's as many manufacturers don't resize them to account for the lack of internal chrome lining. Precision firearms and Bexar nitride BCG's I gauged had excellent internal and external sizing..The only negative I saw with either of them was they both had one hole for the firing pin cotter key undersized which is an easy fix. The length, outer dimensions of the BCG and gas key machining can be critical..JP has an excellent reputation, but I have never gauged one...I would recommend you check any new bolt and barrel in the AR rifle plat form for head space..I have seen many more short chambers compared over sized chambers..

[CJW]

You boys are so far ahead of me……


I just buy what you tell me, load and shoot……..

[muvef]

Maxim Firearms

Or

SixFive Outfitters

Any quality carrier will work.

[lazyengineer]

Good question - going cheap on a 5.56 BCG is no big deal. Going cheap on a 6.5 Grendel BCG - IS a big deal. MHO, best path is to get a standard 5.56 BCG from Pallmetto State Armory (really, they are quite good). And a bolt from sixfiveoutfitters. Pull the 5.56 bolt, and insert the sixfiveoutfitters bolt, and you will have the best BCG you are going to get.

Set aside the 5.56 bolt as a spare - it's not a bad spare part ot keep in the bin.

Speaking of spares, make sure to have at least one 6.5 Grendel spare extractor, if not a spare complete BCG.

[Zeneffect]

I dont know about the whole bcg, but I do carry a spare bolt, firing pin, and cotter pin. Packs a lot smaller and is good peace of mind.

Toolcraft used to make the PSA stuff and I agree, their bcg are pretty damn good especially for the cost.

[StoneHendge]

Your question is for the best BCG, not best for the price. Anyone who has an answer other than JP has never run a JP.

[muvef]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]18915[/ATTACH]

My Maxim bolt survived these two rounds.

Somehow I overcharged some test rounds w/ 8208.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]18914[/ATTACH]

[DHD]

Can't say what's best but I use Young Manufacturing NM BC's and SixFive or AA bolts. JP is another I'd use but already invested in the YM NM carriers. They're some girthy things for sure.

[monkeybutler]

Your question is for the best BCG, not best for the price. Anyone who has an answer other than JP has never run a JP.

Yup.

[myrifle]

Yup.

Nope.

My dirt cheap righttobear arms bcgs that I buy and build up into grendel bcgs. Run neck and neck with jp bcgs and cost a buttload less money.

[Harpoon1]

Good question - going cheap on a 5.56 BCG is no big deal. Going cheap on a 6.5 Grendel BCG - IS a big deal. MHO, best path is to get a standard 5.56 BCG from Pallmetto State Armory (really, they are quite good). And a bolt from sixfiveoutfitters. Pull the 5.56 bolt, and insert the sixfiveoutfitters bolt, and you will have the best BCG you are going to get.

Set aside the 5.56 bolt as a spare - it's not a bad spare part ot keep in the bin.

Speaking of spares, make sure to have at least one 6.5 Grendel spare extractor, if not a spare complete BCG.

+1

I could have wrote that myownself! The only caveat would be to get a “Nitrided” BCG if possible before switching out bolts. They seem to wear better than the phosphate BCG’s, are easier to clean, and I think “slicker” when dirty, i.e. run/function longer between cleaning . No real evidence, only anecdotal! YMMV!

And I usually shove a spare bolt up in the grip, along with any Allen wrenchs I might need for scope adjustments.


This,

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-5-56...46953.html


And a sixfiveoutfitters bolt……..Good to Go!

[lazyengineer]

+1

I could have wrote that myownself! The only caveat would be to get a “Nitrided” BCG if possible before switching out bolts. They seem to wear better than the phosphate BCG’s, are easier to clean, and I think “slicker” when dirty, i.e. run/function longer between cleaning . No real evidence, only anecdotal! YMMV!

And I usually shove a spare bolt up in the grip, along with any Allen wrenchs I might need for scope adjustments.


This,

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-5-56...46953.html


And a sixfiveoutfitters bolt……..Good to Go!

Dang - that's a heck of a sale right now

[StoneHendge]

Nope.

My dirt cheap righttobear arms bcgs that I buy and build up into grendel bcgs. Run neck and neck with jp bcgs and cost a buttload less money.

As i said....

[Harpoon1]

As i said....

Just out of curiosity, what do you run in your Grendel, and why?

[Vin]

Your question is for the best BCG, not best for the price. Anyone who has an answer other than JP has never run a JP.

Hey Stone -

To caveat the below - I don't have the experience to question your statement about JP and don't intend to. I take your word on JP at face value.
But we're not all here for competition reasons. From what I can learn about JP on their website they seem to be competition oriented. Every BC and BCG I see there is either SS or alum. Never going to pass any tactical TDP. If I were building a firearm to compete with, or even just target shoot with I would definitely consider their products. But I only work on tactical weapons.

Given that info, what would you recommend as the best BCG for that application? The OP's post does seem to indicate competition, but isn't entirely clear on his rifle's purpose.

Again, not pushing back on you, just trying to learn as much as I can.

V

[myrifle]

Hey Stone -

To caveat the below - I don't have the experience to question your statement about JP and don't intend to. I take your word on JP at face value.
But we're not all here for competition reasons. From what I can learn about JP on their website they seem to be competition oriented. Every BC and BCG I see there is either SS or alum. Never going to pass any tactical TDP. If I were building a firearm to compete with, or even just target shoot with I would definitely consider their products. But I only work on tactical weapons.

Given that info, what would you recommend as the best BCG for that application? The OP's post does seem to indicate competition, but isn't entirely clear on his rifle's purpose.

Again, not pushing back on you, just trying to learn as much as I can.

V

Having run multiple JP bcgs including their super light weight aluminium bcg.

The righttobear arms bcgs will run neck and neck with all of jps bcgs for a lot less money.

[StoneHendge]

Vin, I'm probably not the best to answer your question at lower price points. With JP, I run both full and low mass stainless carriers with QPQ finish. Stainless steel is a superior steel, the QPQ finish cleans up quickly like nothing else and the machining is flawless. They also show less wear, although wear on a BCG isn't necessarily due to the BCG. But the steel, finish and machining come with the price tag. They obviously aren't in everyone's budget and are a luxury for most - including me - I run plenty of other BCGs. A good BCG runs unnoticed, but I always notice the quality of JPs when cleaning time comes.

[Zeneffect]

I have jp, sharps, brownells, psa/toolcraft.

Jp, sharps, brownells clean up super easy
All 3 have 100% perfect fit and finish
All 3 cost various price points and are manufactured with different features

Is one better than any other? They all work, they all run a JP bolt, they all clean up easily. Only real differences I can tell (other than the finish type and the brownells is a low mass) is the name on the side and aesthetic design. As far as ease of cleaning, I'm more of a every 200 rounds or so kind of person so it doesn't take much more than a little clp, and paper towel to get everything spotless on a bcg.

Bcg is a very binary part in function. It's either good, or bad and not much middle ground.

[StoneHendge]

I have jp, sharps, brownells, psa/toolcraft.

Jp, sharps, brownells clean up super easy
All 3 have 100% perfect fit and finish
All 3 cost various price points and are manufactured with different features

Is one better than any other? They all work, they all run a JP bolt, they all clean up easily. Only real differences I can tell (other than the finish type and the brownells is a low mass) is the name on the side and aesthetic design. As far as ease of cleaning, I'm more of a every 200 rounds or so kind of person so it doesn't take much more than a little clp, and paper towel to get everything spotless on a bcg.

Bcg is a very binary part in function. It's either good, or bad and not much middle ground.

If a situation arose where you were only allowed to keep one BCG (not rifles, just the BCG), which one would it be?

(That question is without commenting on the fact that your other 2 are hybrid carriers which feature JP bolts and other manufacturers carriers).