BCA Bear Creek Arsenal Hammer Forged Side Charging 16" 1:8 5.56 Upper Review & Shoot

Published on December 20, 2024
Duration: 15:41

This review covers the BCA Bear Creek Arsenal 16-inch 1:8 twist 5.56 side-charging upper receiver. The video details accuracy testing with various ammunition types, including 55gr, 62gr, 64gr, 68gr, and 75gr loads, at 100 yards. The presenter found the upper performed best with 68-grain Frontier match ammunition, achieving approximately 1-inch groups.

Quick Summary

The BCA Bear Creek Arsenal 16-inch 1:8 twist 5.56 side-charging upper receiver was tested for accuracy at 100 yards. It showed a strong preference for 68-grain Frontier match ammunition, achieving approximately 1-inch groups, while other tested loads like 55-grain and 75-grain showed less consistent performance.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to BCA 5.56 Upper
  2. 00:21Side Charging Feature
  3. 00:31Ammunition Tested
  4. 01:16Scope and Lower Receiver Setup
  5. 01:29100 Yard Accuracy Testing Begins
  6. 01:34PMC Bronze 55gr Group
  7. 02:31Frontier 55gr Match Group
  8. 02:55PMC XTAC 62gr Green Tip Group
  9. 03:21Federal 64gr Soft Point Group
  10. 04:12Investigating Flyers and Group Opening
  11. 05:03PMC 55gr Group (Barrel Heat Test)
  12. 06:08Shooting in the Rain
  13. 06:22Frontier 68gr Match Group (Rain)
  14. 06:57Frontier 75gr Match Group
  15. 07:36Comparing 68gr vs 75gr Performance
  16. 08:19Accuracy Results Summary
  17. 08:23PMC 55gr FMJ Group Analysis
  18. 08:41Frontier 55gr Match Group Analysis
  19. 08:46PMC XTAC 62gr Green Tip Group Analysis
  20. 09:08Federal 64gr Soft Point Group Analysis
  21. 09:37Frontier 68gr Match Group Analysis
  22. 10:22Frontier 75gr Match Group Analysis
  23. 10:39Second PMC 55gr FMJ Group Analysis
  24. 11:06Confirming 68gr Performance
  25. 11:21Overall Accuracy Assessment
  26. 11:55300 Yard Shots
  27. 13:04300 Yard Hits
  28. 13:35300 Yard Performance Conclusion
  29. 14:00Ammunition Preference Discussion
  30. 14:28Frontier 68gr Match Ammo Highlight
  31. 15:01Final Thoughts on Performance
  32. 15:17Finding Preferred Loads
  33. 15:20Product Links and Outro

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key specifications of the BCA Bear Creek Arsenal 16-inch 5.56 upper receiver?

The BCA Bear Creek Arsenal upper features a 16-inch hammer-forged barrel with a 1:8 twist rate, a free-float M-LOK handguard, and a side-charging mechanism. It is chambered in 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington.

Which ammunition performed best with the BCA Bear Creek Arsenal 16-inch upper?

During accuracy testing at 100 yards, the BCA Bear Creek Arsenal upper performed best with 68-grain Frontier match boat tail hollow point ammunition, achieving groups around 1 inch.

How did the 1:8 twist rate affect accuracy with different bullet weights?

The 1:8 twist rate did not consistently favor lighter 55-grain bullets, with initial groups being tighter than expected and later groups opening up. Heavier bullets, particularly the 68-grain match load, showed better consistency.

Can the BCA Bear Creek Arsenal 16-inch upper hit targets at 300 yards?

Yes, the BCA Bear Creek Arsenal 16-inch upper demonstrated the ability to hit targets at 300 yards without significant difficulty, even when using ammunition that it did not perform optimally with at closer ranges.

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