Bear Creek Arsenal Barrel Physical

Published on July 17, 2020
Duration: 16:37

This inspection reveals critical dimensional issues with a Bear Creek Arsenal 16-inch .223 Wylde barrel. The throat is cut shorter than specification, behaving more like a .223 Remington chamber, which can cause pressure issues with 5.56 NATO or Wylde loads. Pitting was observed near the muzzle, and the crown is poor, indicating potential manufacturing inconsistencies.

Quick Summary

A physical inspection of a Bear Creek Arsenal 16-inch .223 Wylde barrel found a short throat, causing it to function like a .223 Remington chamber and potentially leading to pressure issues with 5.56 NATO loads. Significant muzzle pitting and a poor crown were also noted.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Specs
  2. 01:00Gas Port Measurement
  3. 01:48Headspace & Erosion Checks
  4. 04:12Chamber & Throat Function Test
  5. 06:42Barrel Extension Alignment
  6. 08:25Borescope Inspection
  7. 12:48Final Assessment & Fixes

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the key findings from the Bear Creek Arsenal barrel inspection?

The inspection revealed a short throat, making it function like a .223 Remington chamber, potential pressure issues with 5.56 NATO, significant muzzle pitting, and a poor crown. Headspace and erosion checks were satisfactory.

Can a Bear Creek Arsenal .223 Wylde barrel be used with 5.56 NATO ammunition?

While headspace might be correct, the short throat found on this specific barrel could cause dangerous pressure issues with 5.56 NATO or Wylde-spec loads, making it best suited for .223 Remington.

What issues were found during the borescope inspection of the barrel?

The borescope revealed significant pitting near the muzzle, likely from steel impurities or the nitriding process. Tooling marks were also present, and the gas port deburring was not clean.

How can the dimensional issues with the Bear Creek Arsenal barrel be corrected?

Gunsmithing techniques involving reaming can correct the short throat to meet .223 Wylde specifications. The poor crown and muzzle pitting would also require specialized tooling to address.

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