Bear Creek Arsenal Bolt Action Rifles
Extremely Modular and very affordable, the BC-10 and BC-15 Bolt Action rifles are chambered in a variety of calibers and different barrel lengths. BCA is leading the way in terms of innovation on Bolt Action, AR Platform Rifles. Check them out.
BC-10 Bolt Action Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor
Hey Keith with CRACKSHOT.tv here. Today we’re going to review a Bolt Action AR-10. Has keltec been doing some mad science again? No, this work of art has come from Bear Creek Arsenal, and I have to say, I love everything about this idea.
In this initial review video we’re going to go over my first impressions of this rifle, as well as the results from my first initial range trip with it. I’ll be doing a much more in detail follow up video in the future when I have more trigger time on it and when I can get out to one of the longer ranges here in Central Florida as well as after I’ve had a chance to really set the rifle up the way I’d like.
BC-10 6.5 Creedmoor Bolt Action Rifle (20″ Barrel)
Extremely Modular and very affordable, the BC-10 Bolt Action rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor is a game changer if you’re looking for a solid base to build your precision rifle on.
Why Create a Bolt Action AR?
Before we really dive in, let’s talk about why create a bolt action for the AR platform.
When I first saw these bolt action AR platform rifles come on the market, I knew I had to try one. I messaged BCA asking about the rifle. They graciously sent me one chambered in 6.5 creedmoor for review.
Built for Modularity and Customizability
The idea makes a lot of sense if you think about it. By using a very standard platform like the AR-15 or AR-10, you can customize just about anything on the rifle, without breaking the bank, since parts and accessories are so ubiquitous for these platforms.
Re-barreling an old bolt action rifle can be expensive in terms of parts and labor, especially if its a niche model. Building bolt action rifles on the AR-15 and AR-1O platforms ensures that parts will always be affordable and available. Self servicing on the platform is very easy. Trust me if I can work on ARs, you can also.
If you have hand tools, a vice, and a torque wrench, you can easily swap barrels out. Want to re-barrel for 308? No problem.
Compatible with Standard Lowers
Moreover, you can use any standard lowers for their AR-15 models, and any lower that would be compatible with BCA’s AR-1O uppers for this model upper in particular.
The result is a bolt action rifle that is extremely modular, and this is the primary reason that I can see why someone would want to pick one of these up.
And being that the rifle is very modular, you probably will want to customize a few things about it, which is why BCA has provided simple furniture that keep the price low, all stuff that a gun guy is going to change anyway.
BC-10 6.5 Creedmoor Bolt Action Rifle (22″ Barrel)
Extremely Modular and very affordable, the BC-10 Bolt Action rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor is a game changer if you’re looking for a solid base to build your precision rifle on.
What comes in the box with a BC-10
The rifle ships with a standard waffle M4 style stock. The grip itself is actually surprisingly nice. I was expecting a simple A2, but this one is rubberized. I like the flag design. It has the reversed flag which represents always moving forward when charging, a nice touch.
The internals are standard BCA Milspec internals on the lower. The upper has a pretty utilitarian MLOK handguard. The 6.5 creedmoor barrel is a heavy profile. It’s 18 inches long. The muzzle device is BCA’s stock flash hider.
Its a solid base. There are a few small changes that I’m going to make to the rifle, which I’ll do in my more detailed range review next month. This review is my first impressions primarily.
However my goal was to really just get this sighted in. I wanted to do my initial impressions on it in its stock configuration. For this review I changed nothing about it except adding an optic and bipod.
First shots with the BC-10
I mounted up my Vortex PST 5-25x scope and threw a bipod on it. Next, I wanted to sight it in with some simple 140 grain AAC 6.5 Creedmoor FMJ ammo.
I punched my first 3 round group in. I had one flier on the first round. But rounds 2 and 3 were each touching each other.
Keep in mind, I was shooting this at an indoor range. I planned to shoot at 30 yards, going for a 100 yard zero, which according to my ballistics calculator meant a -0.5″ point of impact versus point of aim. This should be practically zeroed at 100 yards.
The 6.5 creedmoor is pretty flat shooting, so the zeroing process was pretty straight forward.
The Rifle is capable of even better Precision
At 30 yards you would expect every shot to be in the same hole on a precision rifle. However, I had about an inch spread. I’d attribute that flier to three things and not the rifle itself, so don’t read into that too deeply.
The first being that these were my first shots with a brand new rifle on a cold start.
The second being how unstable my shooting position was. The range I was at isn’t really set up for bench shooting. This made it very awkward. I was essentially squatting while trying to shoot. Essentially, try to imagine trying to shoot a heavy bolt action AR10, while squatting over a gas station toilet that you’re trying to make minimal contact with. That was basically what I was working with here.
The last point is that it is hard to get a good cheek weld on an M4 style stock. That said, replacing the stock with a B5 SOPMOD is going to be the first thing I do. Its really the only thing that needs changed. This is actually a big pro of the rifle. Consequently, I’d prefer a cheaper stock since no matter what came with it, I’d end up replacing it with my personal preference anyways. This helps keep the price of the rifle down.
In any case, I proceeded to zero the optic to the rifle. Then a couple rounds later, I had it dialed in with rounds hitting roughly a half inch under point of aim.
BC-10 .308 Bolt Action Rifle (24″ Barrel)
Extremely Modular and very affordable, the BC-10 Bolt Action rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor is a game changer if you’re looking for a solid base to build your precision rifle on.
Initial Feed Issues were due to not Oiling the Gun Before Operating
I had some issues getting it to feed, but only at first. Mind you, I didn’t oil it. BCA has a big warning tag in the box that says it must be oiled up before operating. That is 100% on me. Since then, I’ve oiled it at home and the feeding is very smooth and reliable.
However, even without oil, after about 20 rounds, the rifle actually was cycling a bit better. This will probably continue to improve as it gets broken in, which is to be expected. Before oiling, I did notice that sometimes the casings would extract, bounce off something internally, and land in the chamber again.
This happened twice. Again, it might have just needed to be oiled. I had to be a little rough with it to get it to extract and feed without oil, which probably contributed to that issue.
If you pick one of these up, make sure you oil it and don’t be conservative with the oil. Again, after oiling, it seems like any difficulty with feeding was resolved by following their directions. Yes, I’m an idiot, don’t be like me.
Accuracy after Optic was Dialed In
With things zeroed, this was my next group. Again, everything pretty much within an inch. Remember, I was shooting from a very awkward position and only at 30 yards. This group at 30 yards translates to about 3 to 3.5 MOA.
I wouldn’t expect getting 1 MOA performance with cheap ammunition. However, I think the rifle can definitely do better. Consequently, this performance was primarily an issue with me as a shooter and the environment I was in.
Next time, I think I’ll get much better performance. Once I’m able to get to a range that’s better set up for bench shooting with rifles, I’ll post another video next month.
BC-10 .308 Bolt Action Rifle (20″ Barrel)
Extremely Modular and very affordable, the BC-10 Bolt Action rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor is a game changer if you’re looking for a solid base to build your precision rifle on.
Final thought on the BC-10 – It’s a great Value!
Overall, my first impressions are very positive. I’m very excited about this rifle. Would I recommend these rifles? For a fun project, absolutely.
It is a solid base that has all the modularity of the AR platform so you can do whatever the heck you want with it. If you like to tinker, you’re going to really like this. I was very impressed considering the low dollar value that BCA charges for this platform and how much value you’re getting.
I’m going to do a bit of work on this rifle to set it up exactly how I’d like it. Next, I’m going to really well oil it. Finally, we’ll be taking it out to some longer distances when I have a chance to hit the range next month. I’ll be bringing it to the next open gym session, which has facilities out to 400 yards. I know that isn’t crazy long.
However, it’s the longest available in our area. I’m excited, its going to be a good time. So if you haven’t already, please consider subscribing to the channel. There’s a lot more content to come with this rifle. This is going to be a really fun one to work with.
There is more to come, please consider subscribing to your YouTube Channel
Yet there’s still more to do. I’m going to swap out the stock with one with a better cheek weld. Then, I’ll hook it up with a keymo muzzle device. I’ll test for concentricity. Lastly, I’ll run it with a can if its concentric.
I’m excited to really push it out a bit further distance wise, time will tell. Just remember, you’ll only get notified next month if you subscribe to the channel.
Finally check out BCA. If you buy something, let them know Keith from CRACKSHOT.tv sent you as it really helps the channel out.
An Encouraging Message for the Week
I want to end this video on a positive message for the week.
This is Ephesians 1:11-14:
“In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory. And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.”
When you first heard the word of the truth, the gospel, when you believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. This is your insurance and assurance.
A call to study your Bible
This passage calls being sealed with the Holy Spirit, the pledge of our inheritance. There is a permanent nature here. The Holy Spirit will keep us. You don’t just get him in part or in pieces, you have all of him when you become a Christian.
You don’t have to pay or do some kind of work to get Him, when you truly believe, you have Him. He is the same Holy Spirit that every believer in Christ has, whether a brand new Christian or one who has been a Christian for 50 years.
So study the Word of Truth with full confidence, asking the Holy Spirit to illuminate it for you, and have confidence that He will do it. Have a great week.
