Bear Creek Arsenal 7.62x39 question.

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OKRattler

Well-known member
I got a side charging Bear Creek Arsenal chambered in 7.62x39. Yesterday I went to sight it in. I had 3 types of ammo to start out with. Norma FMJ to get on paper,Wolf Polyformace HP's and Nosler Varmageddon. The first shot with the Norma FMJ's locked the gun up. I had to wrap a towel around the charging hammer and tap it with a rubber mallet to open it. The head of the case had a big gouge in it from the extractor. I oiled the bolt really good and it ejected every time after that. Only had 3 total with the gouge marks on the head of the case out of about 25 rounds. I noticed three things that were different about the Norma ammo than the other two. The empties shot over my shoulder and the other two brands shot straight across, directly to my right. And not that it probably matters but it seemed to smoke a lot worse than the other two. Every time I'd shoot the Norma ammo, smoke would pour out of the rifle. Also it was the only ammo that had any feeding issues at all. 3 times it ejected the casing but didn't pick up another round.

What do y'all think? Is it a gas issue,ammo issue or what? The Norma ammunition was for sure the least accurate of the three. It was all over the place. I got 1" groups at 100 yards with the Wolf and Nosler ammunition. Actually I had two holes touching the existing holes from the Wolf ammo using the Nosler. Which I thought was kind of odd.
 
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I stay away from 7.62x39 ARs. Mainly because the AR magazine geometry and case taper create feeding issues. That's been my experience anyway.
One issue I have seen, we see this with Grendels and ARCs also, is the M4 feed ramps are too narrow for the fatter x39 cases. That is the issue if you are getting two deep gouges on your brass. What I have done, I take the barrel off, and open up and polish the ramps to accommodate the extra girth of the x39 cases.
People like to poo poo on BCA, but Bear Creek barrels are really good once you find the load they like. Hope this helps.
 
I have used at least 15 7.62x39 BCA uppers. never a issue, always clean the upper and use a chamber brush to clean and OIL the chamber. 223 chamber brush works, never fire a dry chamber AR, this has been my experience

Regards, Jerry Waddell.
 
I think the Norma ammo is too hot for you rifle!! The fact that you are getting bolt marks on the brass and the sticking in the chamber are all signs of pressure!! The real indicator is the brass exiting over your shoulder!! Might want to stick to the other two brands!! Good luck with your new purchase!!
 


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