by TXRoadLizard » Sun Apr 30, 2023 5:33 pm
I just picked up a Bear Creek Arsenal 18" side-charging 450BM upper. Put a competition brake on, cleaned the bore, and headed to a close 50-yard indoor range. Shot 20-rounds of Hornady Black and 5-rounds of Barnes Vor-TX. It would stack the Hornady Blacks, with 6 shots into a 1" square at 50-yards. It sprayed 5 shots of the Barnes into a 6" square. Definitely did NOT like that round. Zero FTF or FTE and fed fine out of both Duramag and ACS mags. I did run a scope down the barrel and what I saw reminded me of looking at a Savage barrel. Savage has taught me not predict accuracy by the way a barrel looks though, and this one shot really well with the Hornady Black ammo. I know QA/QC has been an issue with BCA, but it appears I got a good one, at least as far as I can say after 25 rounds. I will likely just stick with Hornady Black as I'br put down plenty of deer with FTX muzzle loader bullets. I have no trouble recommending BCA uppers based again on limited experience
I really am digging the side charge too.