Its not every day that I get to write about a cartridge that I remember coming out, but today is one of those. It was twenty something years ago, I was a much younger fella recently married and a son on the way when I first learned about the 6.5 Grendel. Even back then 6.5’s were hot, so when I heard about the 6.5 Grendel I paid attention.
The little Grendel came from Alexander Arms, and the whole idea was to put higher Ballistic Coefficient (BC) bullets into an AR-15. Bumping up the case size was also necessary in order to get these 6.5 Bullets up to a respectable speed. All this to create a cartridge that would make the AR-15 more lethal at distances beyond 500 yards or more.
The popularity of the Grendel has led to similar cartridges gaining fame as well. The 6 ARC has become extremely popular for similar reasons, and now the 22 ARC is following its footsteps.
22 ARC, 6 ARC, and the 6.5 Grendel
6.5 Grendel Dimensions
The 6.5 Grendel inherited a similar volume from it PPC/220 Russian parent case, the case volume is approximately 35 grains of water. Typical Grendel powder charges run between 20-ish and 30-ish grains of powder, depending of course on the powder and bullet choice. These mild charges are not too different from charges used in the .223 or other comparable cartridges. This allows the 6.5 Grendel to propel 100-140 grain bullets up to velocities like 2300 to 2600. These are some pretty general numbers, that obviously are subject to change.
Left to Right: 308 Winchester, 6.5 Grendel, 223 Remington
The odd size of the Grendel case has some other consequences as well. With its .449 bolt-face it falls between the .223 bolts used in most AR-15 rifles and the very common 308 sized bolt-face in larger rifle platforms. Luckily due to popularity of the Grendel and similar cartridges, this has become less of a problem. 7.62×39, .224 Valkyrie and others have made the midsized bolt-face more mainstream.
Additionally, due to its shape and proportions, the Grendel requires a different magazine to feed from AR rifles. There are a few different options out there including followers and complete mag-housings that have been altered to fit the Grendel and its offspring.
My Test Rifle
The rifle featured in this article for testing purposes is a Bear Creek Arsenal bolt-action upper. A handy and cost effective way to convert from one firearms type to another. It features one of their eighteen-inch heavy barrels and threaded 5/8-24 which fits perfect for my suppressor. The 1:8 twist works great with bullets commonly loaded for the Grendel. I used a Maven RS.3 5-30X50 scope which was probably a little more than necessary, but welcome.
Part of the idea behind the Grendel was improved ballistic performance from the AR-15 rifle. With 5.56/.223 chambered rifles, most were shooting bullets from 55grains up to 75-80 grains. Which can be very useful for a great many things, but at 800 yards they have significantly deteriorated performance. That is where the Grendel comes in, even with a light for caliber bullet like a 123 grain 6.5, the Grendel far exceeds even the heavy .224 bullets. For comparison, a couple loads shown below; an average and heavy 5.56 load compared to an average and heavy Grendel load.
Load Data
Velocity/Energy @400yds
Velocity/Energy @800yds
5.56 55gr FMJ 3250 FPS
1800fps/395lbs
1000fps/120lbs
5.56 75gr BTHP 2910 FPS
2025fps/680lbs
1340fps/300lbs
6.5 Grendel 123gr 2450 FPS
1875fps/965lbs
1380fps/520lbs
6.5 Grendel 140gr 2330 FPS
1880fps/1100lbs
1475fps/680lbs
The Grendel loads can have thirty percent or more energy at further distances, which could be vital when incapacitating a target. While velocities are comparable, the energy of the heavier bullets carries further, and better.
Making brass for the little Grendel has come a long way from forming your own from something else. Whether it be Hornady or Starline, you can get some great brass for the Grendel. You can even get Lapua 6.5 Grendel cases now, so you know its serious.
In our ever changing world there is some solace in knowing that we are spoiled for choice when it comes to sporting arms. Being a part of the firearm industry certainly offers me additional privileges and access, and today I intend to share with you another one the countless rifles I’ve been able to examine. Today we are taking a close look at the Springfield Armory Waypoint 2020 rifle chambered in 308 Winchester.
The Waypoint 2020 is marketed as a lightweight precision rifle with a definite nod towards the hunting crowd. The Waypoint is a bolt-action rifle patterned after the extremely popular Remington 700 footprint. There is a variety of models but all of them feature a carbon fiber stock, and detachable box-magazines. Different color camo patterns can be selected, as well as other features like carbon-wrapped barrels and radial muzzle brakes. Let’s get into it.
The Springfield Armory Waypoint 2020
2020 Action
The foundation of the Waypoint rifle is the 2020 action, a two-lug ninety-degree bolt action much like the Remington 700 it closely resembles. I say closely because it greatly improves over it’s predecessor. The 2020 action uses a one-piece fluted bolt-body with a removable bolt-handle. At the front of the bolt you’ll find the sliding extractor and spring-plunger ejector. The sear is tripped by a Trigger Tech Field trigger, which in my experience is fantastic.
At the back of the action you’ll find the bolt-stop/release. This is the stronger and superior design, making the bolt quick to remove and firmly stopped when it reaches the aft stroke. The Waypoint 2020 action comes with a scope base-rail installed, using both screws and dowel pins for security.
Carbon Fiber Stock
Rigid and lightweight are the first things that come to mind when feeling the Waypoint stock. At the back there is a soft rubber recoil pad as well as some flush mounted QD-cups for attaching a sling. The vertical grip is very modern and comfortable, allowing easy placement of your thumb at the proper angle. The Aluminum trigger-guard is also very well done, and features the mag-release in the front of the trigger area. And using AICS pattern magazines is a sure way to gain points with most shooters.
The front of the stock also features a QD-cup for sling attachment, as well as M-Lok slots on the bottom to attach a bipod. I found the stock to be very comfortable and very serviceable.
Carbon Wrapped Barrel
The twenty-inch barrel is carbon fiber wrapped, for weight reduction. At the muzzle it was threaded 5/8-24 with a radial muzzle brake installed to tame the rifle. Chambered in 308 Winchester the barrel features a 1:10 twist which allows for a great deal of bullet compatibility.
Specifications
Springfield Armory Waypoint 2020 308 Winchester
Weight
6 Pounds 9 Ounces
Length
41.5 Inches
Barrel
20-inch 1:10 twist Carbon Fiber
Trigger Adjustment
2.5-5 Lbs
Muzzle Device
Radial Blast Brake ⅝-24 threads
Magazine
AICS compatible 5-round
Optics Mounting
Picatinny Rail 6-48 Screws
Receiver
Stainless Steel 2020
Color
Evergreen Camo/Green Cerakote
MSRP
$2599
Range Preparations
In order to properly test the Waypoint, I would add a few things and bring along others. First off was a good scope, for that I decided to go with one of my favorites. The US Optics TXH 3-18 is a perfect scope for a precision hunting rifle, with a set of 34mm rings it dropped perfectly into place on the Waypoint. I’d also add a Harris bipod for supported shooting, using the M-Lok slots I attached a pic-rail section to make my bipod easy to install and remove.
For ammunition I brought a nice spread as well. First off were a couple selections from Hornady, the American Whitetail 150 grain ammo, and the Precision Hunter 178 ELDX. I also brought along some Barnes Vor-TX 130 grain ammunition as well as a box of DTM 308 Match 175 grain.
And just for good measure I also threw in my Silencer Central Banish Backcountry suppressor, which would make a perfect lightweight companion to this rifle.
My first foray with the Waypoint was at a public range, not something I enjoy but worth the time. It took no time to zero the rifle with just a couple shots after I boresighted it. After which I shot a few different groups to see if the rifle preferred one ammo type over another. It came as no surprise that the DTM 175 match seemed to shoot the best, with a Barnes 130 grain in a very close second place. Velocities from those two were 2560fps and 3020fps respectively. After some accuracy testing, I continued shooting to see how the rifle functioned and fed.
We live in an interesting time, never before has there been so many options for firearms enthusiasts. And at the very same time there is a breathtaking assault against the right to obtain and bear all these arms. Todays subject might appear up front to be a step backwards in firearm design, but it for sure is a step towards countering the assault against second amendment rights for some. Today I present to you the Bear Creek Arsenal BC-15 Bolt-Action rifle. Your eyes aren’t fooling you, this is indeed a bolt-action AR-15 essentially.
That is why I said it might seem like a step backwards in firearm development, but you will soon see what makes this product a good idea.
The Bear Creek Arsenal BC-15 bolt-action rifle
Its appearance as an AR-15 rifle is by design, lets look at the rifle’s features to get started. The lower receiver is in fact a completely normal BCA complete lower, just like every other BCA lower it uses all the same parts interchangeably. (That will come in handy later) Where it differs is the upper receiver, though it also uses a great deal of the same parts there as well.
Edited to add: I enjoyed this rifle so much, that I ordered a second upper. This time an eighteen-inch heavy-barreled 6.5 Grendel. I wanted to have options, as well as another capable rifle for larger purposes. The Grendel upper shares much of the same features, but obviously runs on different magazines.
The Curious Bolt Design
The semi-auto bolt-carrier has been replaced by a different carrier, similar to the semi except missing the rear-most part. This results in the carrier having a fork-like back end. The bolt itself appears to be a standard AR bolt, with no gas rings installed. It rides in the bolt carrier secured by a regular cam-pin, but there is no cam-path cut into the carrier. The resulting motion looks like this; as the bolt handle is pushed forward, the bolt engages the barrel extension the same way it would in a semi-auto, but it rotates and goes into battery when the bolt-handle is pushed down.
Bolt Operation
The operation feels weird for several reasons, first off; the buffer in the stock applies spring tension on the bolt when pulled fully to the rear. This spring pressure is only felt about halfway forward from the extreme rear of the bolt stroke. Secondly; there is another spring behind the bolt inside the carrier. It keeps the bolt all the way forward when pushing into battery, but it also causes some back pressure when chambering a round. And a springs the bolt handle back when it is lifted out of battery.
one down side to the design is that you can’t field-strip the rifle without tools
At first it is quite awkward, and not what you are expecting. However, once you get the hang of it, it is actually quite fast. The opposing forces from the bolt-spring and the buffer spring actually seem to help you run the bolt faster. Once you get over it, its no bother at all.
The Barrel
From the barrel extension forward, as best as I can tell it is 100% the same barrel used in other comparable rifles. Which makes sense from a manufacturers perspective. Since no gas-block is needed, they simply installed a ring over the gas-block perch to prevent gas from blowing out the gas hole. The barrel is truly free-floated in that nothing touches it forward of the barrel nut.
The muzzle is threaded 1/2-28 like most 5.56 barrels, and it came with BCA’s typical muzzle device. I would be changing it out for my Yankee Hill Machine Turbo T3 suppressor almost immediately.
When shooting the 6.5 Grendel upper, I used my Banish Meateater suppressor. It was very pleasant shooting the Grendel with this suppressor.
The Rest
Everything else seemed pretty typical Bear Creek parts, the handguard used on all their AR’s, the lower parts and buttstock all look and function just like you’d expect them to. I’ll give them points on their pistol grip, I do like it much better than most typical grips. They also put one of those accuracy wedge pieces of polymer in it to keep the upper and lower from wobbling.
Other Models and Calibers
Bear Creek also makes these options in other calibers, and you guessed it they also make it in a large frame configuration as well. The options are actually pretty impressive, you can get either Parkerized barrels or 416 Stainless. There are also a great variety of barrel lengths you can choose from, as short as 7-inches and up to 22-inches. And perhaps too many chamberings to mention but I’ll try:
BC-15 Bolt-Action Calibers
BC-10 Bolt-Action Calibers
5.56 Nato
.243 Winchester
.223 Wylde
6.5 Creedmoor
.224 Valkyrie
.308 Winchester
.300 Blackout
8.6 Blackout
6mm ARC
6.5 Grendel
7.62×39 Soviet
350 legend
450 Bushmaster
458 SOCOM
12.7×42 (50 Beowulf)
Shooting the BCA BC-15 Bolt Action
To properly give this rifle a test, I took it across the state to ensure it got to see some country. Initial testing was done in the desert south west, coyote and jack rabbit country. Unfortunately neither of them showed up for the test, but the rifle worked great.
Ergonomics
I will say for sure that it took a little bit to get used to the bolt-throw on this rifle. It is unlike any other bolt-action I’ve ever operated, the lift is very short and the stroke has various degrees of resistance. It took me a minute to figure out what I was doing wrong, but once I got a feel for the operation it became second nature and particularly fast. The buffer spring pressure almost helps you transition from rearward motion to forward by adding spring pressure.
I did notice with the second upper in 6.5 Grendel the bolt was a little more finicky. I am not sure that this had anything to do with the cartridge difference or bolt-face change. Or if it was simply a side effect of mass-produced parts and tolerances.
The rest of this rifle is 100% pure AR, so you already know what that feels like. The trigger that came in the rifle was nothing to write home about but it did not keep the rifle from shooting well. I like the rubberized BCA pistol grip, it gives great purchase and is quite comfortable. The butt stock on the other hand could have come from a CAR-15 airsoft clone, or perhaps even a Nerf gun, but it worked just fine.
the BC-15 Bolt-Action would serve well as a hunting rifle
Reliability
As is typical with bolt-action rifles this one was 100% reliable. The only issues I had were part of the learning process with operation the bolt properly, as well as some ammunition that was a touch long for the chamber.
The rifle cycled cartridges flawlessly, and tossed them out in a neat pile. Feeding from P-Mags is one of the appealing features of this rifle, and it worked great. I was a bit irritated with the AR bolt catch that would lock the bolt up when the last round was fired, but I should have anticipated it.
None of the previous aspects really surprised me, but I was a bit impressed when I put the rifle on paper at 100 yards. With cheap ball ammo the rifle would shoot groups averaging slightly over 1 MOA, and when using PMC Match 77 grain it would print five-shot groups around .6 MOA quite reliably. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that modern manufacturing processes can produce 1/2 MOA guns that shoot that well for less than $450. I look forward to trying some additional handload options to see if I can get it to shoot even better.
The Grendel, while still shooting sub-MOA deserves a little more attention. I intend to keep tuning handloads to find one that shoots even better. I expect I should be able to shoot 1/2 MOA groups with it as well.
some of the .223/5.56 accuracy resultsAnother example, this time of the Grendel grouping
Value
I did a quick and simple glance over the 223 bolt-action rifles for sale at Sportsmans Warehouse. And of the fifty plus options available there, only half a dozen of them were in the same price range as this rifle. I’ve shot some of those rifles and they didn’t print groups like this as easily.
The great shooting performance of the BC-15 Bolt-Action rifle means it could serve well as a varmint rifle, target shooting or any other similar activity. And because it is essentially an AR-15 there is no shortage of ways to improve it, which takes me to the next subject.
the push of a couple pins allows you to swap from one upper to another
My working theory is two-fold; this rifle being a bolt-action type, there are far less likely to be laws infringing on the right to keep and bear it. So for folks who live behind enemy lines in shit-hole states like California or Maryland, they can finally join the ranks of AR-15 owners, even if they have to cycle the action by hand. And I suppose they can pick fights with the pump-action Ak guys.
The second part of my theory is that buying this “bolt-action” rifle in restricted states, is a perfectly legitimate reason to have a completely functional and uninhibited AR-15 lower receiver. And with the push of a couple pins you can enjoy the same liberties as free men everywhere.
shooting groups for accuracy analysis at 100 yards
Pros and Cons
The popularity of the AR-15 family of rifles has brought the prices down, and since this rifle borrows so much from the AR family, it too has benefitted. Having a great many parts and accessories interchangeable is a great asset, and allows you to set this rifle up however you see fit.
testing my 6.5 Grendel handloads
While it may take a minute to get used to, the rifle works quite well. And its performance on the range was refreshingly positive. Reliable function paired with the incredible compatibility makes it both fun and versatile. Because the rifle shoots better than I had anticipated, I’m actually considering putting a better trigger in the rifle. The mil-spec trigger it came with isn’t terrible but could be better, and I’d like to see how much accuracy I can squeeze out of it.
the Kahles 318i was an excellent scope to test this rifle’s potential
Based on price alone, I think this rifle is pretty damn reasonable. But there are few things I’d change if I could; First off is the super cheap butt stock. I understand why they use cheap ones, as lots of folks change them out anyways. I for sure will be changing it something different. There is also a little pet peeve of mine about putting company logos all over the place, like, you could just put it on the receiver and call it a day. But that is of course just a subjective complaint. Honestly I don’t know what else I’d change on this rifle after what I’ve mentioned.
Final Thoughts
Some folks might chuckle at the idea of a bolt-action AR, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I did the same. But the more I thought about it, and especially after shooting this little rifle quite a bit, I can say my mind has been swayed. Not saying I would give up my traditional bolt-guns in favor of this one, just that I can absolutely see the reasoning behind this design, and a value in having it.
The Bear Creek Arsenal BC-15 Bolt-Action rifle gives a pretty impressive performance considering the sum of its parts. Aside from that, it offers gun owners in tyrannical states an option to play in the AR-15 world. And it does all this for a pretty reasonable price attainable by average Americans. I look forward to putting this rifle to good use on some varmints this spring.
-CBM
2026 Update:
Last season my son used the BCA bolt-action upper in 6.5 Grendel to shoot this handsome little buck from almost 300 yards. And I continue to use the .223 bolt-action upper for fun plinking and varmint hunting. Still love these things.
