Bear Creek Arsenal SIDE CHARGING 7.62×39 Rifle, One Handy Rifle!

I’ve hunted deer right here in central Indiana on and off for about 40 years. I’ve had diverse success… some years had been higher than others. I predominantly hunt with handguns, however about three seasons in the past, I took an extended gun to the hunt… Bear Creek Arsenal’s 7.62×39 AR.

I questioned about how environment friendly the “.30 Russian Quick” could be on deer; I needn’t have questioned.  At a measured 149 yards, I took a doe, and he or she fell about 4 steps later. I used to be utilizing surplus steel-cased 123-gr. JSP ammo, nothing fancy.

So… did I be taught something from that? It advised me that this caliber is efficient on deer-size critters out previous 100 yards. A few of my preconceived notions about this cartridge went up in smoke. Plus, the rifle is a good performer. Let’s see the place this cartridge got here from, then we’ll check out the rifle.

Bear Creek Arsenal SIDE CHARGING 7.62×39 Rifle

The 7.62×39

Popularized after WWII by the AK-47, the cartridge had its origin in July 1943 when the Soviets needed to provide you with an intermediate cartridge that might be fired in several types of weapons, together with semi- and totally automated ones. This concept appeared to catch on, as this was across the time that Germany developed the world’s very first assault rifle, the StG 44, with its mid-range 7.92x33mm Kurtz spherical, an identical idea.

The Russians thought-about 314 designs earlier than narrowing it down to eight. An early (December 1943) model had a case size of 41mm and was chosen for additional improvement. Testing continued till, in 1947, the Ulyanovsk Machine Constructing Plant developed a cartridge that used a lead-wrapped steel-core bullet, in contrast to the unique which was pure lead. That improved penetration. Additionally they lengthened the bullet a bit to enhance ballistics. To maintain the cartridge O.A.L. the place it was, the longer bullet required a shorter case. So, that is the place we get the “39” a part of 7.62×39. They shortened the case by two millimeters.

Within the early ’60s, a “lacquered” metal case took the place of the earlier copper-and-steel one. We nonetheless have quite a lot of that Berdan-primed steel-cased ammo within the U.S., the place 7.62×39 sells with regularity for about .50/spherical in bulk. (Technical be aware: The “7.62” a part of the cartridge identify designation isn’t solely correct. 7.62 is technically .308″ in diameter, and the Russian Quick is .312″. It ought to, subsequently, be “7.92×39,” however it isn’t).

That is sufficient of a dive into historical past, however I believe it’s attention-grabbing to see the place cartridges and weapons got here from. You possibly can learn a extra detailed historical past of this spherical right here. 

A Aspect Charging AR Rifle

I’ve contributed to the Bear Creek Arsenal (BCA) weblog now for a couple of years, and having carried out so, I’ve had entry to a number of of their rifles and different gadgets that they promote. So, it was with nice expectations that I awaited the arrival of the 7.62×39 BC-15 AR they needed me to evaluation. When it got here in, I used to be impressed with it. BCA is situated in Sanford, North Carolina, and is among the largest suppliers of AR-pattern uppers and lowers within the trade, based on my sources. 

This AR variation has one main distinction out of your common black rifle — it’s a side-charger. Discover the “plug” the place a charging deal with would usually be and the side-mounted charging deal with.

I personal completely different ARs, and I’ve to confess I like this association. You possibly can mount a scope with out it interfering with charging the gun. This 1-8×24 Vortex Strike Eagle rifle scope suits completely and is good for searching Hoosier woods and fields. It’s considered one of my favorites, and I couldn’t have mounted it if the charging deal with was up high.

Earlier than we get into issues, right here’s a fast run-down of the specs…

Bear Creek Arsenal’s 7.62×39 AR Specs

Platform: AR-15
Mannequin:  BC-15
Weight: 6 lbs.
Barrel Size: 16 inches, heavy barrel; 1:10 twist
End: Parkerized
Materials: 4150 chrome moly vanadium
Thread Pitch: 5/8 x 24
Caliber: 7.62×39 
Rail: 15.25-inch M-LOK
Feed Ramp: M4
Fuel System Size: Carbine
Fuel Block System:  0.750
Fuel Gap Diameter: 0.093
Charging Type: Proper Aspect Charging
Dimpled: Sure
Sights: None Included
Journal Capability: None Included                                                                                           
MSRP: $356.03

Options

One function I like was talked about above. Aspect charging, for me a minimum of, is less complicated to do than normal top-rear AR charging. I got here to the AR occasion a bit late and needed to get used to “pulling the ears again” on my rifles, which I did. However I nonetheless favor aspect charging.

One other factor I like about this rifle is the six-position butt inventory. I do know that this isn’t precisely earth-shaking and that almost all ARs include one thing comparable… it simply makes the rifle straightforward to handle for this older shooter. 

One other factor that helps make this rifle a dependable shooter is the staked fuel key. Many producers are doing this these days, however I keep in mind when that wasn’t the case. Issues are typically held the place they need to be on this rifle. 

Right here’s one thing that I’m going to name a function — the worth. This gun lists for below $400. That’s a steal! If you wish to department out from .223 to an affordable, easy-to-feed .30-cal rifle, right here’s your huckleberry. You should purchase the entire rifle for not far more than an higher by itself. 

The very last thing I’ll point out that I like is the 15-plus-inch rail. That provides you loads of room to mount a scope, crimson dot, or no matter Pic-rail accent you need to placed on it. After I first obtained the rifle, I put a crimson dot on simply to shoot it and that labored, however to benefit from the (longer than I anticipated) vary of the .30 Russian Quick, a scope is indicated. (I admit I used to be impressed once I laser-ranged the 149-yard shot I took after that hunt… the bullet hit nearly precisely the place the reticle was. I used to be actually impressed!). 

Non-Options

I assume I ought to’ve referred to as these final two sections “execs and cons.” The gun isn’t good. There are two primary flaws with it that I see.

First, there isn’t a journal included. BCA does this with a lot of their rifles for some purpose. I’ve by no means requested my BCA contact why they don’t ship a magazine with a rifle. They’ve two manufacturers that they advocate — ASC and DHT — however none are included with the rifle.

Second is one thing else that many producers do this I don’t like, together with BCA. No sights are included. I perceive that sights are like vehicles… each shooter has their favourite. However, even many lower-end ARs embody a minimum of a set of rudimentary irons. I’m undecided why BCA doesn’t do that. In any case, they promote a entrance/rear iron sight set for forty bucks on the positioning. 

Anyway, I’m carried out. General, the rifle works simply high-quality, is reasonably priced, and is satisfying to shoot. It’s simply that it could be good to go proper out of the field if these two points had been addressed with out the shooter having to purchase additional gadgets. 

How Does It Shoot?

I advised you above how I waylaid a deer at about 150 yards with no seen bullet impression deviation from the 100-yard-zeroed reticle placement on the goal. I take into account that, in itself, to be a results of the accuracy of each the ammo and the rifle. However, paper targets are informative, as they show in a short time you probably have an correct rifle or not, with correct ammo. As Col. Townsend Whelen mentioned, “Solely correct rifles are attention-grabbing”. This rifle appears to be attention-grabbing, based on that saying. I made a decision that, as soon as the snow that’s falling as we speak will permit, I’ll arrange a goal or two as near my 100-yard marker as I can. So, lengthy story quick — that’s what I did. 

I shot a couple of targets of what 7.62×39 ammo I had available — the outdated surplus steel-cased FMJ 123-grain. In fact, you should buy “fashionable” brass-cased, Boxer-primed ammo — being an unreformed reloader, I respect that — however I believe it’s enjoyable to see what the older stuff can do since there’s a ton of it on the market for pretty low-cost. (I do know, not as low-cost because it was, however it’s nonetheless not dangerous). Listed here are a few consultant targets, 5-shot teams…

The teams are nearly equivalent. It’s not fairly MOA, however not too far off. This sort of accuracy from outdated, army surplus steel-cased ammo is eye-opening. 

Please perceive… the “.30 Russian Quick” caliber is NOT going to be a tack driver with a lot of the weapons chambered for it. However, as an intermediate midrange cartridge, it will get the job carried out when you’re not anticipating sub-MOA teams at 100 yards. It’s a lot correct for what many shooters name “minute-of-deer”, as I came upon throughout that hunt.  As I mentioned, my eyes had been opened to its potential and these targets reinforce that.

To Sum Up

Are you in search of an AR in one thing greater than .223 however lower than .308? The 7.62×39 compares very favorably with the time-honored .30-30 and the newer .300 BLK. Ballistics are comparable for all three.

The Russian Thirty’s benefit lies within the availability of surplus ammo. You’re taking a look at about 50 – 55 cents per spherical (in bulk) with Russian-made 7.62×39 versus 65 – 70 cents per spherical for .300 BLK or $1.00 per spherical for .30-30.

So… in order for you nice efficiency on deer- or hog-sized critters out to 200 yards or so and need to purchase ammo fairly cheaply, the outdated Russian Thirty works. I as soon as owned an SKS. Fascinating story about it — the native Marine Corps League swapped mine for one they purchased, since mine was period-correct, to make use of of their show. I did plenty of casual taking pictures with it — mud puddles, and many others. –however I by no means as soon as considered searching with it. That rifle most likely wouldn’t have labored very properly for deer, however this contemporary AR from BCA suits very properly in a searching stand or floor blind. It’s correct and dependable, it options AR modularity, and you may mount no matter optic you need simply.

Why not give one a attempt? For round $400 (even shopping for a magazine and sights), you possibly can benefit from some pretty low-cost ammo and have quite a lot of enjoyable!  

About Mike Hardesty

With expertise spanning over 45 years, Mike Hardesty has lengthy loved taking pictures and reloading. An inveterate reloader, he casts bullets and reloads for a various array of firearms, every dealt with with long-practiced precision. Residing in rural Indiana, his homestead boasts a private 100-yard vary the place he shares his love for weapons to his 4 sons, their wives, and eleven grandchildren. As a acknowledged creator, his writings have been featured in notable platforms like Sniper Nation, Bear Creek Arsenal Weblog, Pew Pew Tactical, TTAG, Dillon Precision’s Blue Press, and Gun Made, revealing his ongoing ardour for firearms on the age of 72.

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