Building an AR 450 Bushmaster

Talk about the AR15 style rifles chambered in 450 Bushmaster.

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Re: Building an AR 450 Bushmaster

Postby Hoot » Tue Apr 10, 2018 8:25 pm

I'd be sorely tempted to get one of those Bear Creek SS barrels but they're out of stock. So the nitrided 18" then and one of those Fail Zero BCA's. You're in for 3 bills and those nitrided BCA's are the cat's pajamas for slickness and ease of cleanup. With a nitrided barrel extension, not much if any break in compared to a phosphated (mil spec) BCA and barrel exrension. Just my opinion. Only detraction is 18" vs 20". I'm no bantam weight, so handling a 20" is not a challenge. The only reason I shoot a 20" is because you can't find off the shelf 450b AR barrels in 22 or 24". I like full size barrels, if you haven't figured that out already. Image

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Re: Building an AR 450 Bushmaster

Postby Smithjdsr » Tue Apr 10, 2018 8:45 pm

It’s a bit far from Dubuque for a casual visit. We used to be right there when we pheasant hunted a couple miles north of Montezuma but I haven’t been that way in a while. Their new showroom must be nice. Good thing I don’t live closer.
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Re: Building an AR 450 Bushmaster

Postby Bmt85 » Tue Apr 10, 2018 9:02 pm

Those Brownell barrels are made by Faxon and have a 1:16 twist. Using factory ammo and low end handloads should be ok. Probably can't push the handloads too much before you end up over pressure.
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Re: Building an AR 450 Bushmaster

Postby Smithjdsr » Tue Apr 10, 2018 9:04 pm

gemoose23 wrote:Also an Iowa resident, I am back on the 450 bushmaster


I think they did us a favor. I’ve been saying for years that they should let us shoot rifles chambered for the already allowed ‘pistol’ cartridges. I’m hoping these centerfire rifles will add an interesting element to our deer hunt!
John

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Re: Building an AR 450 Bushmaster

Postby Smithjdsr » Tue Apr 10, 2018 9:15 pm

Hoot wrote:I'd be sorely tempted to get one of those Bear Creek SS barrels but they're out of stock. So the nitrided 18" then and one of those Fail Zero BCA's. You're in for 3 bills and those nitrided BCA's are the cat's pajamas for slickness and ease of cleanup. With a nitrided barrel extension, not much if any break in compared to a phosphated (mil spec) BCA and barrel exrension.


Ok, so... newbie here. You’re saying the nitride barrel is good? I thought I needed to wait for stainless, but if the nitride is a good one... But what is the Fail Zero you reference? Link? Is the barrel extension a muzzle device? Flash hider?

I’m guessing you would say to go ahead with the BCA barrel. I also thought I wanted 20” but for that price I’ll settle for 18” if it’s likely to be a good barrel.

http://www.primaryarms.com/bca-18in-450 ... mhb18124-m
John

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Re: Building an AR 450 Bushmaster

Postby MOOSE EARS » Wed Apr 11, 2018 4:10 am

BCA barrel has a 5/8-32 thread so be sure of which muzzle device you plan to use is the right thread.
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Re: Building an AR 450 Bushmaster

Postby Hoot » Wed Apr 11, 2018 5:07 am

Smithjdsr wrote:
Hoot wrote:I'd be sorely tempted to get one of those Bear Creek SS barrels but they're out of stock. So the nitrided 18" then and one of those Fail Zero BCA's. You're in for 3 bills and those nitrided BCA's are the cat's pajamas for slickness and ease of cleanup. With a nitrided barrel extension, not much if any break in compared to a phosphated (mil spec) BCA and barrel exrension.


Ok, so... newbie here. You’re saying the nitride barrel is good? I thought I needed to wait for stainless, but if the nitride is a good one... But what is the Fail Zero you reference? Link? Is the barrel extension a muzzle device? Flash hider?

I’m guessing you would say to go ahead with the BCA barrel. I also thought I wanted 20” but for that price I’ll settle for 18” if it’s likely to be a good barrel.

http://www.primaryarms.com/bca-18in-450 ... mhb18124-m


I see the confusion now. Bear Creek Arsenal versus Bolt Carrier Assembly. Yes, the Nitrided barrel and the part that the bolt locks into (barrel extension) are slippery and easy to clean up. Fail Zero is a brand of Bolt Carrier Assy that Primary Arms sells. Get that and the barrel. Ross Schuler can thread you one of his excellent muzzle brakes if you are intending to use one on your build. If not, he can make you a thread protector. There is a virtual cornucopia of documentation on the web that explains the terminology and functionality of the parts that comprise an AR 15. It might be helpful to partner up with a local who has built up his own AR 15. I likes the fact that the BCA barrel is a 1:24 twist and a mid-length gas system.

If you really want a 20" barrel, then continue shopping around. Buying the parts to build up an AR should never be a compromise. A good firearm can be a lifetime investment. Any compromises will be lifetime compromises. There are plenty of fish in the sea lately to get components from. That Fail Zero Bolt Carrier Assy is still a great product and the fact that you can get a 450b compliant bolt in the deal makes it doubly so.

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Re: Building an AR 450 Bushmaster

Postby Smithjdsr » Wed Apr 11, 2018 10:22 am

Hoot wrote:...the Nitrided barrel and the part that the bolt locks into (barrel extension) are slippery and easy to clean up. Fail Zero is a brand of Bolt Carrier Assy that Primary Arms sells. Get that and the barrel.


So, it doesn’t look like this barrel

https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/barrel ... hb18124-ss
https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/barrels/b450chb16124-p
http://www.primaryarms.com/bca-18in-450 ... mhb18124-m

comes with a bolt, so I need the entire BCG

http://www.primaryarms.com/fail-zero-.4 ... -450-01-nh

and a muzzle device (not sure if I just want a thread protector or what yet)
John

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Re: Building an AR 450 Bushmaster

Postby Hoot » Thu Apr 12, 2018 4:40 am

Smithjdsr wrote:
Hoot wrote:...the Nitrided barrel and the part that the bolt locks into (barrel extension) are slippery and easy to clean up. Fail Zero is a brand of Bolt Carrier Assy that Primary Arms sells. Get that and the barrel.


So, it doesn’t look like this barrel

https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/barrel ... hb18124-ss
https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/barrels/b450chb16124-p
http://www.primaryarms.com/bca-18in-450 ... mhb18124-m

comes with a bolt, so I need the entire BCG

http://www.primaryarms.com/fail-zero-.4 ... -450-01-nh

and a muzzle device (not sure if I just want a thread protector or what yet)


Were those questions?

So, like the SS version the other day, the Nitrided one is now out of stock as well. There's that "You snooze, you lose" factor again. I'm sure they'll get more in stock eventually if you're set on that brand.
Judging from the pictures, it looks like the Nitrided barrel has a Nitrided barrel extension as well. Harder to tell on the SS barrel picture and the phosphated (Parkerized) one definitely looks like the barrel extension is phosphated as well = more break in needed.

The bolt face dimensions for a 450b are different than one for say a 5.56, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 Rem and 7.62x39. That's why you need a bolt specific to the 450b. That linked Fail Zero BCA has a 450b bolt and as a added advantage, is Nitrided to boot. Trust me, it makes a big difference when cleaning the carbon deposits off.

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Re: Building an AR 450 Bushmaster

Postby Smithjdsr » Thu Apr 12, 2018 6:13 am

Got this one

http://smileysarmory.com/product/18-450 ... ss-barrel/

must have been the last one. I hope stainless is good. A hunting rifle probably won’t be shot as many rounds, so cleaning may be less of an issue, but stainless should be nice for field application. (Unless I decide I love Bushy, get some dies and start shooting it more...) Next step: set up the mill and open up the port on that upper...
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