Bear Creek Arsenal
BC-201
416R stainless steel (match grade) barrelover-molded Hogue stockhigh-performance bolt with an enhanced firing pin7075 T6 aluminum receiver has an integrated Picatinny rail
The BC 201 is Bear Creek Arsenal’s 10/22 clone.
The 16” stainless bull barrel dwarfs the standard Ruger 10/22 barrel…in diameter and weight.
The aluminum receiver features an integral pic rail and with no front sight, this is an optics oriented rifle.
The grippy Hogue stock could use a bit more comb height for proper eye alignment given the need for optics.
The pic rail needs three more slots to get the optic far enough forward. Otherwise great for attending a Project Appleseed Rifle Marksmanship Clinic. I just placed both rings behind the turret.
Includes the Ruger BX trigger and a Ruger 10 round rotary magazine…and dripping with oil.
During the first two outings we experienced frequent malfunctions…every other shot…failure to go into battery.
It features a bolt design very similar to the Volquartsen Competition Bolt featured in our Takedown project. Internal firing pin and different recoil spring…Just not DLC coated.
The BCA bolt can be removed without removing the buffer pin. Discovered that it is 1/10” shorter from bolt face to buffer pin cutout. It is also .005” wider than the Volquartsen bolt. Possible that the bolt is briefly hanging up if it cycles fully to the buffer.
Installed the Volquartsen bolt, and it ran flawlessly.
Second try with the stock bolt…more malfs and a broken bolt.
An in spec bolt, 3 more pic rail slots, and a higher comb and you’ve a solid 10/22 clone.
Bolt measurements
Stock BCA BoltWidth .940Bolt face to buffer cut 3.278
Volquartsen BoltWidth .938Bolt face to buffer cut 3.373
The 16” stainless bull barrel dwarfs the standard Ruger 10/22 barrel…in diameter and weight.
The aluminum receiver features an integral pic rail and with no front sight, this is an optics oriented rifle.
The grippy Hogue stock could use a bit more comb height for proper eye alignment given the need for optics.
The pic rail needs three more slots to get the optic far enough forward. Otherwise great for attending a Project Appleseed Rifle Marksmanship Clinic. I just placed both rings behind the turret.
Includes the Ruger BX trigger and a Ruger 10 round rotary magazine…and dripping with oil.
During the first two outings we experienced frequent malfunctions…every other shot…failure to go into battery.
It features a bolt design very similar to the Volquartsen Competition Bolt featured in our Takedown project. Internal firing pin and different recoil spring…Just not DLC coated.
The BCA bolt can be removed without removing the buffer pin. Discovered that it is 1/10” shorter from bolt face to buffer pin cutout. It is also .005” wider than the Volquartsen bolt. Possible that the bolt is briefly hanging up if it cycles fully to the buffer.
Installed the Volquartsen bolt, and it ran flawlessly.
Second try with the stock bolt…more malfs and a broken bolt.
An in spec bolt, 3 more pic rail slots, and a higher comb and you’ve a solid 10/22 clone.
Bolt measurements
Stock BCA BoltWidth .940Bolt face to buffer cut 3.278
Volquartsen BoltWidth .938Bolt face to buffer cut 3.373
Our 10/22 clone, Bear Creek Arsenal BC201 went in for warranty service two months ago for the broken bolt.
I explained my hypothesis that since the bolt could be removed with the buffer pin in place it could be tilting out of its channel a bit. I noted that the bolt was 1/10” shorter than any other 10/22 bolt that I own.
They returned the rifle through my FFL dealer so another background check and transfer fee.…generally a repaired firearm is sent back directly to me.
Anyway as I reviewed the “repair” I found that the new bolt was exactly the same length. Looking further, I noted that the bolt track in the receiver is 1/10” shorter than my other 10/22’s. Bolt is easily removed with the buffer in place.
After 100 rounds I had another cracked bolt. At one point I was thinking to run a KIDD or Volquartsen bolt, but with the shorter bolt track I didn’t want to put these bolts at risk.
Trying to decide…send it back again and pay for another FFL transfer again on return…or just part it out. I can find a use for the Ruger BX trigger and the Hogue stock..maybe even make use of that big bull barrel…it shoots well.
Lots of potential in the package. As yet, unrealized.
I explained my hypothesis that since the bolt could be removed with the buffer pin in place it could be tilting out of its channel a bit. I noted that the bolt was 1/10” shorter than any other 10/22 bolt that I own.
They returned the rifle through my FFL dealer so another background check and transfer fee.…generally a repaired firearm is sent back directly to me.
Anyway as I reviewed the “repair” I found that the new bolt was exactly the same length. Looking further, I noted that the bolt track in the receiver is 1/10” shorter than my other 10/22’s. Bolt is easily removed with the buffer in place.
After 100 rounds I had another cracked bolt. At one point I was thinking to run a KIDD or Volquartsen bolt, but with the shorter bolt track I didn’t want to put these bolts at risk.
Trying to decide…send it back again and pay for another FFL transfer again on return…or just part it out. I can find a use for the Ruger BX trigger and the Hogue stock..maybe even make use of that big bull barrel…it shoots well.
Lots of potential in the package. As yet, unrealized.