Any reviews of the BCL Bison out in the wild??

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KanadianShooter

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Looking into to a BCL Bison in either 556 or 7.62, but can't find any actual reviews. Anyone who has one cares to comment on function, smoothness of action, handling, accuracy etc? Thanks.

BTW: BCL has announced they designed a 20 round proprietary mag that will work in the Bison but not in an AR-15!
 
We have been shooting one for a few weeks now

Posted this on Facebook
Well managed to get out and shoot the new BCL Bison bolt action rifle
We only managed to get out to 50m.
Groupings were bit inconsistent. But likly the cheap federal 223 ammo
It did much better with handloads. .
Zero issues feeding from the magpul PMAG.
The muzzle device was way to loud, very off-putting.
Very Sharpe edges on the mag well, not quite sure why they took this direction.
Fit and finish is very good.
Weight is quite heavy for its size but still quite manageable.
Over all things are looking good wirh this.
For its price point I think it will be a winner
50 rounds so far will see how it runs at 500 round down the pipe.
 
badboybeeson said:
We have been shooting one for a few weeks now

Posted this on Facebook
Well managed to get out and shoot the new BCL Bison bolt action rifle
We only managed to get out to 50m.
Groupings were bit inconsistent. But likly the cheap federal 223 ammo
It did much better with handloads. .
Zero issues feeding from the magpul PMAG.
The muzzle device was way to loud, very off-putting.
Very Sharpe edges on the mag well, not quite sure why they took this direction.
Fit and finish is very good.
Weight is quite heavy for its size but still quite manageable.
Over all things are looking good wirh this.
For its price point I think it will be a winner
50 rounds so far will see how it runs at 500 round down the pipe.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the mini review! Any idea on barrel retention and the feasibility of swapping them easily?
 
Shazam said:
Great to hear. This platform seems a great deal for the price.

Question: is it a Remington style bolt system?
Click to expand...

What is a Remington-style bolt system?

It uses a full-diameter bolt with (I believe) 3 lugs and an AR15 style extractor. So no, I don't think it's anything like a Remington 700 bolt.

sawzall said:
Thanks for the mini review! Any idea on barrel retention and the feasibility of swapping them easily?
Click to expand...

The graphic on the BCL site shows the barrel threading into the action. Pretty standard stuff.
 
I'm interested in seeing how it does. Gonna be habdloading since ammo prices are absolutely insane. Should make a fun rifle to go take my dual sport motorcycle into the bush and set up a temporary range.
 
driller212 said:
I'm interested in seeing how it does. Gonna be habdloading since ammo prices are absolutely insane. Should make a fun rifle to go take my dual sport motorcycle into the bush and set up a temporary range.
Click to expand...

This is exactly why I picked up the Remington 700 12.5" .308. Motorcycle range trips.
 
I just ordered one from Wanstalls in BC. Good price, $899, less another 15%. Out the door with taxes and shipping (BC to Ontario), $927. Once I get it to the range, I'll post results.
 
I have one chambered in .223 with a 16.5" barrel.
I've been meaning to do a full review, but I've not had sufficient range time to give it a proper shake out.
So far I've had it out 3 times and have around 200 rounds down the pipe.
While the build quality appears pretty good overall, I've had some teething issues with the bolt guide shearing off, failures to feed, failures to extract and light primer strikes.
I have reached out to BCL and they have been great with warranty and some parts replacement (extractor and the bolt guide).
AR mags can vary in dimensional tolerances so this can be a factor in the hit and miss feed and functionality of the rifle. I'm really hoping that BCL follows through with the proprietary mags for these things.

I've used around half a dozen factory loadings from 55 gr FMJ to 77 gr OTM and around 8 previously made, well proven hand loads.
I haven't found a factory load that it likes, and the only hand load it likes was the 75 gr. SMK hand loads it printed 10 rounds into 1.5" at 100 yards (photo below).
The accuracy has gone from respectable (below group) to downright brutal, and not at all consistent, even with the same ammo from group to group.
Having scoped the bore, it is definitely a budget barrel. Given the choice, I would have gladly paid whatever extra needed to cover the cost of a truly match-quality barrel right from the off.
BCL sent me specs on the barrel thread which I have sent off to IBI to inquire on a replacement, but a couple of emails and several weeks have passed with no reply from them.


IMG_5689 by M J, on Flickr

IMG_5702 by M J, on Flickr
 
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Have had my 12.5" for 5 months now and have learned lots.

It is loud, heavy, and had ejector issues.

Bought a forward blast diverter replaced the factory brake, yes it is heavy but the stock is rigid and absolutely built like a tank, I will take extra weight over tupperware any day, emailed BCL about the ejector they sent out bolt replacement parts right away, 10 minute fix and now it flings the brass!

Trigger is super smooth, bolt is smooth as well not loose or cheap feeling, all my AR magazines work well in it. The short barrel makes it super balanced and handy. As I intend to use it for plinking off a bench and gophers with shooting sticks I added a bunch of pieces I had.

Also found it likes 55 grain FMJ best, only tested on paper to 48 yards and have plinked to 100 yards, but the rifle is my fav now, and with BCL being so fast to respond to calls or emails I have real confidence on the platform. No way you could build this rifle for the price, as the stock alone would be a fair amount of money.

So yeah, if you spend some time with it, you can really get some great results.

48 yards off bipod, scope is only 6 power but I am sure bettter glas and a better shooter using a sled could tighten up my groups.


Mine did not like 75 and 77 grain ammo, but I am still breaking her in.


Took the brake off for group tests.
 
So my 16" Bison finally arrived and I had a chance to take it to the range yesterday. I shot 50 rounds of Agula 62gr 5.56 FMJ-BT. Not a great outing, it was -12C with about 30km/H winds. The bolt in this thing is very smooth and I made it even better with some polishing. But it's very difficult to close. I basically have to hammer it down with my hand to close it. The plastic adjustable stock and carbine tube is cheap and flimsy. I found a seller online who had a brand new MDT carbine skeleton butt stock for sale so I went and picked it up today and installed it when I got home. It feels and looks much better now. Also picked up a soft feel grip from MDT on the way home as well. The results below are on a 10" diam. target with 1" spacing. Five groups of five (centre, and #3 point at 12, 3, 6, 9 o'clock positions). Hope to get out with again and try a few different brands of ammo.

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I just can't get excited about these things and the scope height looks nasty. Waiting for something designed more like the Uintah upper. would be nice and sell well so guys have a flat top to mount their elcan and acogs. hopefully bcl reads this..
 
I have an adjustable comb on the B5 stock, but honestly it isn't needed as the scope height is just right with a regular AR height stock with the right rings.
As far as re-using an Elcan, ACOG, or other ~1.5" over bore height optic ideally suited for an AR...Either resolve it with a proper butt stock (less ideal in my opinion) or better yet get another auto-loader like a WC/WK/180 clone, or a Maverick receiver set to utilize your left overs.

While I like the fact these things use some common AR furniture and add-on bits due to cost, availability and variety, they really are a stand alone rifle - albeit a bit of a chameleon.
 
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You have much better grouping, I removed the brake, touched up the barrel crown and found my Bison liked 55 grain ammo better, but my Savage preferred 75 grain ammo, strange as they are both 1 in 9 twists?

Outdoor shooting with some buddy's, slight wind 119 yards lasered, off bipod, 4 shots, Hornady 75 grain Match BTHP, 20" Savage HH, dime for comparison.
 
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