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Bear Creek Arsenal
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.
Bear Creek Arsenal BC201, 10/22 clone, Returns from its second trip to North Carolina with a new bolt and a threaded barrel.
Bolt and receiver are the same dimensions as before. And, like before, you can remove the bolt from the receiver without first driving out the buffer pin.
So I headed to the range to put it to the test…again.
Range sessionFired 450 rounds (250 Aguila, 200 Mini-Mag)Experiencing a 20% failure to fire rateAll FTF cartridges fired on second or third attempt
There is evidence of excessive headspaceWhile there is Good firing pin protrusion all cases are lightly struck.Cases swollen near rim…came to my attention when I tried to use spent cases to dry fire NAA Mini Revolver…no BC201 spent case would seat in the cylinder. With a dummy round chambered, there does seem to be quite a bit of slack in the headspace area.
Looking at the bolt…it has not cracked yet but there is obvious elongation in bolt recoil rod channel…so just a matter of a few hundred more rounds until it breaks
On the positive side ..Excellent field accuracy with Primary Arms red dotIgnoring AQT time constraints to handle FTFs I scored a 227 right hand and a 221 left hand.
Pretty solid scores for me when running a dot.
The Hogue overmolded stock is really designed for ironsBut the BC201 is an optics only platform so I really need a ¼” Cheek-Eez to get a bit of elevation for the red dot. Proper eye alignment would probably be worth 2-3 more points on the AQT.
But between rampant FTF and elongated recoil rod bolt channel, the Bear Creek 10/22 clone is making a third trip back to North Carolina. I had really hoped that a new, properly spec’d receiver and bolt was being delivered. A third swing and a turd miss. Maybe next time.
Bolt and receiver are the same dimensions as before. And, like before, you can remove the bolt from the receiver without first driving out the buffer pin.
So I headed to the range to put it to the test…again.
Range sessionFired 450 rounds (250 Aguila, 200 Mini-Mag)Experiencing a 20% failure to fire rateAll FTF cartridges fired on second or third attempt
There is evidence of excessive headspaceWhile there is Good firing pin protrusion all cases are lightly struck.Cases swollen near rim…came to my attention when I tried to use spent cases to dry fire NAA Mini Revolver…no BC201 spent case would seat in the cylinder. With a dummy round chambered, there does seem to be quite a bit of slack in the headspace area.
Looking at the bolt…it has not cracked yet but there is obvious elongation in bolt recoil rod channel…so just a matter of a few hundred more rounds until it breaks
On the positive side ..Excellent field accuracy with Primary Arms red dotIgnoring AQT time constraints to handle FTFs I scored a 227 right hand and a 221 left hand.
Pretty solid scores for me when running a dot.
The Hogue overmolded stock is really designed for ironsBut the BC201 is an optics only platform so I really need a ¼” Cheek-Eez to get a bit of elevation for the red dot. Proper eye alignment would probably be worth 2-3 more points on the AQT.
But between rampant FTF and elongated recoil rod bolt channel, the Bear Creek 10/22 clone is making a third trip back to North Carolina. I had really hoped that a new, properly spec’d receiver and bolt was being delivered. A third swing and a turd miss. Maybe next time.
AmbGun Bear Creek Arsenal Rimfire pagehttps://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/22-long-rifle/bc201
17 HMR has a reputation for not doing so well with Semi-Autos.
Bear Creek Arsenal boldly steps into the fray with the 10/22 like BC203 running the hot little magnum rimfire cartridge.
After the issues I reported regarding the 22LR BC201, Bear Creek replaced the 10/22 clone with the 17. Cool.
First thing I check…can you remove the bolt without first removing the buffer pin. Nope. Score. The bolt is oversized to keep the 17 HMR in check using simple blowback operation without any kind of delayed unlocking…like the Savage A17 or the Rock River LAR-15M.
I like the medium profile stainless barrel noticeably lighter than the BC201’s bull barrel. Overall a good looking package paired with the Hogue overmolded stock and the very crisp Ruger BX trigger.
The bolt’s mass extends UP into the underside of the receiver’s integral picatinny rail. To mount a magnified optic with proper eye relief, the pic rail really needs to extend another 3-4 slots FORWARD. And to get proper eye alignment, the stock needs a cheek riser. The Hogue stock is really designed for irons. And the BC203 is pretty much an optics only rifle. Running a bipod, I used my support hand to get proper sight alignment. Nonetheless, With a Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4 mounted in low rings, it LOOKS nice.
Despite being awkward in regards to getting proper eye position behind the scope, the BC203 delivers excellent accuracy. During zeroing, I fired seven 5 shot groups all under 2 MOA with 3 of the 5 shot groups under 1MOA. Impressed.
The problem is that I managed to achieve this accuracy despite the frustration of reverse turkey necking and chin welding to get a good view of the Leupold’s reticle.
And I was also dealing with the frustration of suffering rampant malfunctions…failures to extract/eject. But damn, that’s some good accuracy.
Tried CCI VNT polymer tip, Remington Premier Magnum Rimfire, Federal Speer TNT hollow point, and Federal V-Max Polymer Tip. Same great accuracy. Same malfunctions.
The base of each fired case is swollen. Convex enough to the point that most cases cannot stand upright.
Checking the extractor with a live cartridge, it holds well. Convex base case, not so much.
Hold the bolt during firing and the case comes out with a flat base.
My suspicion is that the bolt is moving back too early….maybe 17HMR does need delayed blowback or maybe a stiffer recoil spring would work or some preload on the stock recoil spring.
Or maybe I am a 17HMR idiot. My first experiment with the cartridge, running the Henry lever gun, did not go well either.
I have a big stash of 17. Try a bolt action?
17 HMR has a reputation for not doing so well with Semi-Autos.
Bear Creek Arsenal boldly steps into the fray with the 10/22 like BC203 running the hot little magnum rimfire cartridge.
After the issues I reported regarding the 22LR BC201, Bear Creek replaced the 10/22 clone with the 17. Cool.
First thing I check…can you remove the bolt without first removing the buffer pin. Nope. Score. The bolt is oversized to keep the 17 HMR in check using simple blowback operation without any kind of delayed unlocking…like the Savage A17 or the Rock River LAR-15M.
I like the medium profile stainless barrel noticeably lighter than the BC201’s bull barrel. Overall a good looking package paired with the Hogue overmolded stock and the very crisp Ruger BX trigger.
The bolt’s mass extends UP into the underside of the receiver’s integral picatinny rail. To mount a magnified optic with proper eye relief, the pic rail really needs to extend another 3-4 slots FORWARD. And to get proper eye alignment, the stock needs a cheek riser. The Hogue stock is really designed for irons. And the BC203 is pretty much an optics only rifle. Running a bipod, I used my support hand to get proper sight alignment. Nonetheless, With a Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4 mounted in low rings, it LOOKS nice.
Despite being awkward in regards to getting proper eye position behind the scope, the BC203 delivers excellent accuracy. During zeroing, I fired seven 5 shot groups all under 2 MOA with 3 of the 5 shot groups under 1MOA. Impressed.
The problem is that I managed to achieve this accuracy despite the frustration of reverse turkey necking and chin welding to get a good view of the Leupold’s reticle.
And I was also dealing with the frustration of suffering rampant malfunctions…failures to extract/eject. But damn, that’s some good accuracy.
Tried CCI VNT polymer tip, Remington Premier Magnum Rimfire, Federal Speer TNT hollow point, and Federal V-Max Polymer Tip. Same great accuracy. Same malfunctions.
The base of each fired case is swollen. Convex enough to the point that most cases cannot stand upright.
Checking the extractor with a live cartridge, it holds well. Convex base case, not so much.
Hold the bolt during firing and the case comes out with a flat base.
My suspicion is that the bolt is moving back too early….maybe 17HMR does need delayed blowback or maybe a stiffer recoil spring would work or some preload on the stock recoil spring.
Or maybe I am a 17HMR idiot. My first experiment with the cartridge, running the Henry lever gun, did not go well either.
I have a big stash of 17. Try a bolt action?
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