Estimated studying time: 8 minutes
What do you do if you’re a fan of the 7.62x39mm spherical however not of the AK-variant rifles normally made in that caliber? You get a Bear Creek Arsenal (BCA) AR-15 Full 7.62×39 rifle! And because it’s a Bear Creek, the gun incorporates a side-charging deal with.
The Bear Creek Arsenal AR-15 Full 7.62×39 Rifle
The rifle is a hybrid of types: an AR-15 platform rifle chambered within the standard “AK-round.” It’s additionally an AR constructed with out the charging deal with operated from the rear of the receiver, which I contemplate the weak hyperlink within the AR rifle. As an alternative, this rifle sports activities a curved charging deal with on the appropriate facet of the receiver. It’s simple to control and fast to cost.
I not too long ago ran 250 rounds by a BCA AR-15 chambered within the standard 7.62×39, and I used to be impressed with the rifle’s performance, its easy operation, stable controls and accuracy. Anybody desirous about a rifle on this spherical must take an in depth have a look at this BCA providing.
Options
My AR-15 Full 7.62×39 rifle featured a heavy-profile 16-inch barrel fabricated from 416R stainless-steel, with a parkerized end and a 1:10 twist price. It operated through a carbine-length gasoline system.
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The rifle additionally sported a 15-inch M-LOK rail, an M4 flat-top billeted higher receiver, and BCA’s Bolt Service Group, Flash Hider, and a right-side charging deal with. The BCA mil-spec AR-15 decrease was solid aluminum. The inventory is adjustable for size. The rifle sells with two 30-round, curved magazines.
The set off on my rifle broke at 3 kilos, 6 ounces on common. The set off was a mil-spec mannequin, and as mil-specs go, fairly good. Nonetheless, there was some gritty feeling to the set off and sufficient stacking that might probably make for an uneven set off pull.
Nice Glass
I mounted a Mark 5HD 2-10×30 FFP rifle scope, manufactured by Leupold, atop the BCA’s receiver. As I reviewed and used the scope many occasions, I knew it was nice glass for any rifle, however it labored particularly properly with AR-platform rifles.
The Mark 5HD featured Leupold’s Tactical Milling Reticle or TMR. The TMR is Leupold’s redesign of the MIL reticle and employs hash marks as an alternative of dots for elevated ranging and holdover precision. The reticle additionally offered aiming factors for each wind and bullet drop compensation.
The Mark 5HD 2-10’s elevation turret offered 30 MILs of adjustment in 0.1 MIL increments. Leupold’s patented ZeroLock set screw ensured the elevation dial wouldn’t transfer when knocked round. The scope measured simply 11.2 inches in size and weighed in at 24 ounces.
A scope wants mounting {hardware}, and I used a rock-solid Leupold Mark IMS 35mm Bolt-Motion mount.
AR-15 Full 7.62×39 Rifle Accuracy
At my outside vary, I first zeroed the rifle utilizing Winchester Ammunition Goal & Follow 7.62×39 ammunition, loaded with 123-grain full steel jacket bullets. The exact controls of the Mark 5HD 2-10 shortly obtained me on the right track.
My final three photographs at this distance got here in at .63 inches.
At my 100-yard lane, the BCA shot excessive. Just a few scope changes obtained me proper on the right track.
I used to be nonetheless working the Winchester ammo, and my finest five-shot teams got here in at .75- and 1.1-inches.
I then tried out Hornady 7.62×39, launching a 123-grain SST poly-tipped spherical. The highest teams had been at 1.13- and 1.4-inches.
Final, I ran the BCA with Federal Ammunition Fusion searching rounds and their 123-grain soft-pointed bullet designed with a molecularly-fused jacket. I positioned a three-shot group proper at 1.0-inches, and 5 photographs at .90-inches.
Magazine Issues
I additionally pegged five-shot teams within the 1.5- to 2.0-inch vary with all three manufacturers of ammunition. However I do assume the BCA AR-15 7.62×39 is an MOA rifle.
Because the shooter, I do take among the blame for these larger-than-MOA teams. I do know I undoubtedly pulled greater than a pair photographs. The set off may gain advantage from an after-market improve, too.
I additionally had issues discovering a constant, stable place taking pictures from a bench with that ridiculous 30-round AK-style journal sticking down a full six inches under the top of the magazine properly. An online search revealed no 10 or 20 spherical journal choices for the rifle and spherical.
Buddies on the manufacturing facet of the business inform me the taper on the brass of the 7.62×39 cartridge made the journal’s curve essential. I used to be additionally knowledgeable that one of many journal producers has found out a technique to construct a straight magazine for the spherical however has hesitated to construct it as a consequence of profitability considerations.
If it helps, I’ll purchase the primary dozen straight mags!
I need to hunt with the BCA 7.62×39, however that foolish banana magazine has to go. (If anybody is aware of of a non-curved possibility, please let me know!)
READ MORE HERE: Actual Avid AR-15 Instruments: DIY Gunsmithing
Strong Alternative
Mags apart, the BCA AR-15 Full 7.62×39 is a really stable rifle, and it operated a lot smoother and all-around higher than any AK-style rifle I’ve tried. AKs have an extended historical past of army performance and proceed to indicate up at conflicts across the globe.
All true. But, the AKs I’ve used all felt clunky, rattled an excellent deal, and had been by no means near 1 MOA rifles. That’s my expertise, at the least.
Energy-wise, the 7.62×39 spherical is greater than enough for near mid-range searching, and the spherical’s army historical past definitely says it’s competent for residence protection.
BCA has finished a nice job making an AR-15 within the AK spherical, and if I can ever discover the appropriate type magazines, I might be taking this rifle afield for a few years to return.
Be taught extra by visiting Bear Creek Arsenal
Specs: BCA AR-15 Full 7.62×39 Rifle
Caliber: 7.62x39mm
Motion: Semi-Auto, Carbine-Size Gasoline System
Barrel: 416R Stainless Metal, Heavy Profile, 16”, 1:10 Twist
Receiver: Billet Aluminum
Decrease: Solid Aluminum
Set off: Mil-Spec
Size: 36” w/inventory totally prolonged
Weight: 7.75 Lbs.
INC: 15” MLOK Rail, BCA Bolt Service Group and Flash Hider, Two (2) 30-Spherical Magazines
MSRP: $478.55
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Brian McCombie (Author)
A full-time author, Brian’s work focuses on searching and firearms, day and thermal optics, and different taking pictures gear. He’s been lucky sufficient to hunt a lot of the USA and Canada. His favourite hunt is chasing Texas hogs at night time utilizing a suppressed rifle outfitted with a thermal scope.
Dream hunt: Alaskan brown bear.
He’s taken handgun self-defense programs and long-range rifle courses for hunters. Brian continues to dive deeply into the brand new applied sciences a lot part of right this moment’s searching and taking pictures experiences.
His prime firearms embody AR-15’s and AR-10’s, double-stack 1911’s, and lever actions.
