Bear Creek Barrells?

baddarryl · March 2, 2020, 09:12 PM

So there is a shop here that custom builds rifles. The guy that seemed quite knowledgeable insisted that yes Bear Creek did have some issues, but that they have been sorted out and are now making barrels on par with the more “name” barrels that cost far more. We are in NC too and I like the idea of having a rifle built from someone I know and using local manufacturers where we can. I am looking at having a tack driving AR built. I have been thinking of getting a rack grade National Match such as a Rock River, but he left me with the idea that he could build one just as good or better for less money. Depending of course. He swears buy Bear Creek. What say you? Only people that have actual experience with them please. Thanks.

reynolds357 · March 2, 2020, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baddarryl

So there is a shop here that custom builds rifles. The guy that seemed quite knowledgeable insisted that yes Bear Creek did have some issues, but that they have been sorted out and are now making barrels on par with the more “name” barrels that cost far more. We are in NC too and I like the idea of having a rifle built from someone I know and using local manufacturers where we can. I am looking at having a tack driving AR built. I have been thinking of getting a rack grade National Match such as a Rock River, but he left me with the idea that he could build one just as good or better for less money. Depending of course. He swears buy Bear Creek. What say you? Only people that have actual experience with them please. Thanks.

All I can tell you is I have a bear creek 450 Bushmaster upper that shoots 3/4"at 100 yards and a Bear Creek 224 Valkyrie that is 5/8 minute. My White oak .223 barrel on the custom upper I built myself (all blueprinted) regularly shoots a ragged hole at 100 and 1 3/4" at 400.
I think Bear Creek is decent middle of the road stuff, but I personally wouldnt build a benchrest rifle using their barrel.

Kreyzhorse · March 2, 2020, 09:22 PM

I have actual experience with them in a custom build. Accuracy was, well, simply, terrible.

From a price stand point, they are affordable, but, you get what you paid for. In my experience, if you want a tack driver, stay away from Bear Creek.

I'm no brand snob either, I've had excellent accuracy out of low end PSA guns. From what I saw from two Bear Creek barrels, there is no reason to to build a gun around them.

Scorch · March 2, 2020, 10:58 PM

"Name barrels" as you call them have developed that "name" by being among the best. Seems like every few years somebody comes along and says they are "as good as" one of the big guys. Sometimes it's true, other times just hot air. If his barrels really are "as good as" one of the big guys he will gain a reputation the hard way, by shooters using his barrels winning trophies. Just realize that until he has a proven record it's just a claim, not a fact. And until he has a reputation for a fine barrel, you are taking a chance on the product.

FrankenMauser · March 2, 2020, 11:22 PM

There are a couple Bear Creek barrels in my family, and I've helped people work through problems with about a dozen more.

My short answer: It's not worth the risk.

As my brother (who currently owns two) likes to put it: "Bear Creek barrels are binary. Either they're pretty decent, or their garbage. But you never know what you'll get until you spend the money..."

baddarryl · March 3, 2020, 09:06 AM

Thanks everyone. After reading everything I think I am just going to try to build one myself.

cornbush · March 3, 2020, 09:24 PM

I have a couple. Look awesome, shoot mediocre. I'll spend the money on a better barrel next time. These are the two Frankenmauser was talking about. Through dealing with a local builder that WAS using their barrels and talking with others I've learned that my experience is pretty common. You either get a good one or its junk.

AgedWarrior · March 4, 2020, 09:20 AM

“Tack driver” and BCA barrels are not synonymous. There are exceptions of course, but the majority of BCA barrels are fair shooters with a percentage that are really pretty bad. I have an 18” BCA barrel on my 6.5 Grendel build that is an exception in my opinion; it will shoot sub MOA with loads I groomed for it, but it is still not a “tack driver” as I see the term; it will not shoot five round groups as one jagged hole like some of my rifles do. If you really want precision accuracy, I would recommend you leave BCA barrels out and go elsewhere...spend a little more money, you will be glad in the end.

armoredman · March 6, 2020, 06:00 AM

My two BCA barrels work just fine for me and my casual shooting...but they will never win any match trophies.

precision_shooter · March 7, 2020, 10:03 AM

In my research, PSA was more often than not regarded as higher grade and better accuracy than bear creek. I went with PSA for my 6.5 Grendel...

kymasabe · March 9, 2020, 06:29 AM

Having tried BCA barrels and having been disappointed, I'm a big fan of using "name" barrels in my builds, preferably Ballistic Advantage.
But, I used this barrel in a build for a friend and we were shocked at how accurate it was.
https://andersonmanufacturing.com/ba...k004-an08.html

March 2, 2020, 09:12 PM	#1
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,700	Bear Creek Barrells? So there is a shop here that custom builds rifles. The guy that seemed quite knowledgeable insisted that yes Bear Creek did have some issues, but that they have been sorted out and are now making barrels on par with the more “name” barrels that cost far more. We are in NC too and I like the idea of having a rifle built from someone I know and using local manufacturers where we can. I am looking at having a tack driving AR built. I have been thinking of getting a rack grade National Match such as a Rock River, but he left me with the idea that he could build one just as good or better for less money. Depending of course. He swears buy Bear Creek. What say you? Only people that have actual experience with them please. Thanks.

March 2, 2020, 09:22 PM	#3
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,464	I have actual experience with them in a custom build. Accuracy was, well, simply, terrible. From a price stand point, they are affordable, but, you get what you paid for. In my experience, if you want a tack driver, stay away from Bear Creek. I'm no brand snob either, I've had excellent accuracy out of low end PSA guns. From what I saw from two Bear Creek barrels, there is no reason to to build a gun around them. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

March 2, 2020, 10:58 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,249	"Name barrels" as you call them have developed that "name" by being among the best. Seems like every few years somebody comes along and says they are "as good as" one of the big guys. Sometimes it's true, other times just hot air. If his barrels really are "as good as" one of the big guys he will gain a reputation the hard way, by shooters using his barrels winning trophies. Just realize that until he has a proven record it's just a claim, not a fact. And until he has a reputation for a fine barrel, you are taking a chance on the product. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

March 2, 2020, 11:22 PM	#5
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,776	There are a couple Bear Creek barrels in my family, and I've helped people work through problems with about a dozen more. My short answer: It's not worth the risk. As my brother (who currently owns two) likes to put it: "Bear Creek barrels are binary. Either they're pretty decent, or their garbage. But you never know what you'll get until you spend the money..." __________________ -Unwilling Range Officer -Unwilling Match Designer -NRL22/PRS22/PRO -Something about broccoli and carrots

March 3, 2020, 09:06 AM	#6
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,700	Thanks everyone. After reading everything I think I am just going to try to build one myself. Last edited by baddarryl; March 3, 2020 at 12:50 PM.

March 3, 2020, 09:24 PM	#7
cornbush Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: The retarded place below Idaho Posts: 1,408	I have a couple. Look awesome, shoot mediocre. I'll spend the money on a better barrel next time. These are the two Frankenmauser was talking about. Through dealing with a local builder that WAS using their barrels and talking with others I've learned that my experience is pretty common. You either get a good one or its junk. __________________ The best shot I ever made was an accident

March 4, 2020, 09:20 AM	#8
AgedWarrior Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2019 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 210	“Tack driver” and BCA barrels are not synonymous. There are exceptions of course, but the majority of BCA barrels are fair shooters with a percentage that are really pretty bad. I have an 18” BCA barrel on my 6.5 Grendel build that is an exception in my opinion; it will shoot sub MOA with loads I groomed for it, but it is still not a “tack driver” as I see the term; it will not shoot five round groups as one jagged hole like some of my rifles do. If you really want precision accuracy, I would recommend you leave BCA barrels out and go elsewhere...spend a little more money, you will be glad in the end.

March 6, 2020, 06:00 AM	#9
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,483	My two BCA barrels work just fine for me and my casual shooting...but they will never win any match trophies.

March 7, 2020, 10:03 AM	#10
precision_shooter Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 2,475	In my research, PSA was more often than not regarded as higher grade and better accuracy than bear creek. I went with PSA for my 6.5 Grendel...

March 9, 2020, 06:29 AM	#11
kymasabe Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2,748	Having tried BCA barrels and having been disappointed, I'm a big fan of using "name" barrels in my builds, preferably Ballistic Advantage. But, I used this barrel in a build for a friend and we were shocked at how accurate it was. https://andersonmanufacturing.com/ba...k004-an08.html __________________ God's creatures big and small, eat them one, eat them all.