450 Bushmaster upper-can someone tell me what I would be getting

NorthBorder

NorthBorder

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On Gunbroker I am looking at a Aero XL complete upper in 450 Bushmaster. So the upper receiver is made by Aero Precision but the rest of the build I am not sure of. No information on the barrel or BCG. Aero Precision doesn't list a 450 Bushmaster upper in their inventory so I am wondering what kind of build it is. Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with these complete uppers? Are they good to go? There are several complete uppers for sale; the one listed below is an example.
Thanks in advance

Complete 16” Aero XL 450 bushmaster Upper - Stainless Steel Barrel - 450
450 bushmaster
Verified Member FFL
tlh_tactical A+(620)
Factory New Condition
 
I would ping them with your questions. Good to know who made the barrel, BCG, etc, etc. If you don't have a warm/fuzzy after they reply I would buy from someone you prefer. They could make great stuff, I don't know. I think I found one of their listings and would want more info before I bought also. Who is putting them together? I've known some local shops who were using very unskilled labor (to put it mildly) for something which you would think a gunsmith would be doing, or at least someone with some training.

Not saying the seller is doing anything questionable. But, I would do your due diligence.

I have seen a lot of questionable stuff in the AR market in the last few years though so I tend to stick with the companies I know/trust now. Plus, I know they'll make it right if there is an issue.
 
Based on your post it seems like the seller is trying to capitalize on the Aero Precision name when it could simply be just their stripped XL upper receiver and the rest of the parts a mix match.

As was said above best to ask what brand the barrel, BCG, charging handle, etc is from.

Just for your information the XL receiver is slightly enlarged for big bore cartridges such as the 450BM.
 
Or just buy a complete upper directly from a manufacturer. At least you would know what you are getting. If they are only listing the name brand of the upper receiver, that seams misleading to me.
 
My advice is to not bother with the “Aero Precision” 450 BM uppers on GB. There are a metric ton of them on there. Aero is a big name that happens to also make one of the more easily attainable big bore specific uppers for 450BM/458 Socom/50 Beowulf builds you will find on GB.

These are mixmaster upper builds that give vague information about details. They are not scammers but they purposely omit key details to hide the fact they are very inexpensive builds at a significant markup.
 
I received a response from the seller:

We assemble all of our uppers in house. Most of the ones listed are built with BCA barrels and BCGs. We also have some Wilson combat and Shaw barrels, as well as, wilson combat and fail zero BCGs in stock. While we have a lot of pre configured uppers, we specialize in custom builds and we’re happy to put together exactly what you want. Feel free to call me on the number below if you have any other questions or want to discuss further.

So, Bear Creek seems to be the goto for inexpensive builds. I'll contact them to check out their price for a build with Wilson Combat barrel. Not sure what BCG to ask about (don't know much about Bear Creek Arsenal BCGs). Several members of THR have used and seemed happy with BCA for an inexpensive build.
 
NorthBorder said:
I received a response from the seller:

We assemble all of our uppers in house. Most of the ones listed are built with BCA barrels and BCGs. We also have some Wilson combat and Shaw barrels, as well as, wilson combat and fail zero BCGs in stock. While we have a lot of pre configured uppers, we specialize in custom builds and we’re happy to put together exactly what you want. Feel free to call me on the number below if you have any other questions or want to discuss further.

So, Bear Creek seems to be the goto for inexpensive builds. I'll contact them to check out their price for a build with Wilson Combat barrel. Not sure what BCG to ask about (don't know much about Bear Creek Arsenal BCGs). Several members of THR have used and seemed happy with BCA for an inexpensive build.
Click to expand...

I have a bca 450 upper on a psa lower and it's served me welll. If your getting bca, you should just get it straight from them. I paid $400 for the complete upper and a spare bcg.
 
CraigC said:
I think I'd rather build my own than buy one slapped together by unknown persons, using unknown components.
Click to expand...

Yup.

Or if one is not inclined to build there own Ruger makes a nice 450BM with a good twist rate for heavy subsonic use if one desires but will still shoot supers well.
 
JB111 said:
I have a bca 450 upper on a psa lower and it's served me welll. If your getting bca, you should just get it straight from them. I paid $400 for the complete upper and a spare bcg.
Click to expand...
I have a PSA lower also and have been those BCA uppers at half or a third the cost of the others. There just aren't a lot of choices available at this time. At the price BCA might option to introduce me to the caliber.
 
The BCA assembled uppers in 450 BM are good for the price.

I bought one when they were on sale several years ago for a too good to pass up price. It was heavy though and left me wanting. I used a friend’s 450 BM which was a purpose built hunting AR and cost well north of $2000 and I was hooked on the idea of a light weight 450 designed specifically for my hunting wants.

So far I have $1000 into it which includes a McGowan barrel (still in process) Aero upper and Atlas handguard and Faxon BCG and CMC trigger to name the highlights. It should scale about 6.5 lbs bare.

An Aero upper, Faxon Big gunner barrel and BCG and a LaRue trigger would be a great start to any 450 build.
 
Bca may not be the best but they will fix it if it doesn't work. They make some nice side charging uppers just bought a 300 blk left hand pistol upper. And the price is great.
 
hk45shootist said:
I have a side charging handle 450 BM BCA upper...nothing wrong with it.
Shoots!
Click to expand...

I have the same with an 18" barrel. Its quite accurate at 100 yards with factory Hornady Black ammo. It was less than $300 and I use it on my Ruger lower. For what I have into it and the way it shoots I have no complaints. If I want to hunt deer in a straight walled legal area I am all set now :)

-Jeff
 
Well, thanks for the responses. I had been looking at the BCAs quite a bit and thanks to you guys who have given an endorsement to them I ordered one. A 16" side charging upper with a total price (shipped) of $260. It seems from watching gun blogs that I can expect anywhere from 1"-3" MOA, which IMHO is good to poor. But for that price it is worth a gamble. If it gets 1.5" MOA I will be good with that as it is primarily intended for a hunting rifle.
 
NorthBorder said:
Well, thanks for the responses. I had been looking at the BCAs quite a bit and thanks to you guys who have given an endorsement to them I ordered one. A 16" side charging upper with a total price (shipped) of $260. It seems from watching gun blogs that I can expect anywhere from 1"-3" MOA, which IMHO is good to poor. But for that price it is worth a gamble. If it gets 1.5" MOA I will be good with that as it is primarily intended for a hunting rifle.
Click to expand...

Make sure you do a good cleaning of the bolt and the barrel extension lugs. May be a little rough from the factory.
 
Forgive me if somebody already pointed this out, but I'm pretty sure "Wilson" and "Wilson Combat" are two distinct different manufacturers and its my understanding that "wilson" makes alot of barrels for alot of manufacturers and is not to be confused with "Wilson Combat".
 
DustyGmt said:
Forgive me if somebody already pointed this out, but I'm pretty sure "Wilson" and "Wilson Combat" are two distinct different manufacturers and its my understanding that "wilson" makes alot of barrels for alot of manufacturers and is not to be confused with "Wilson Combat".
Click to expand...

Yes. Wilson Arms and Wilson Combat are different companies.
 
[QUOTE
So, Bear Creek seems to be the goto for inexpensive builds. I'll contact them to check out their price for a build with Wilson Combat barrel. Not sure what BCG to ask about (don't know much about Bear Creek Arsenal BCGs). Several members of THR have used and seemed happy with BCA for an inexpensive build.[/QUOTE]
Bear Creek makes their own BCGs and barrels in house. You might just look at buying from Bear Creek directly. They offer a good warranty on their uppers and if you have a problem it might be a lot easier dealing with them than some dude slapping them together in his basement. Bear Creek barrels are not bad as barrels go and if you do get a questionable one they are usually pretty good about fixing or replacing it.

Or spend more money and get a higher tier build from a company with a better reputation for more peace of mind.
 
Last edited:
hk45shootist said:
Yes. Wilson Arms and Wilson Combat are different companies.
Click to expand...
This was in response to:
DustyGmt said:
Forgive me if somebody already pointed this out, but I'm pretty sure "Wilson" and "Wilson Combat" are two distinct different manufacturers and its my understanding that "wilson" makes alot of barrels for alot of manufacturers and is not to be confused with "Wilson Combat".
Click to expand...
This:
NorthBorder said:
I received a response from the seller:

So, Bear Creek seems to be the goto for inexpensive builds. I'll contact them to check out their price for a build with Wilson Combat barrel.
Click to expand...

Just wanted to make sure he knew he wasn't getting a Wilson Combat anything from BCA
 
DustyGmt said:
This was in response to:

This:


Just wanted to make sure he knew he wasn't getting a Wilson Combat anything from BCA
Click to expand...

Thanks for that info, I didn't know the difference. However, the rep from BCA described the barrel as a Wilson Combat.
ETA; it was the seller on Gun Broker, not a rep from BCA. My fopah.
 
Last edited:
CraigC said:
I think I'd rather build my own than buy one slapped together by unknown persons, using unknown components.
Click to expand...

I'm at the point where I'll take a completed upper and disassemble it... to make sure it was assembled correctly. :) I had a DPMS 5.56mm upper... where the barrel nut was hand tight from the factory.
 
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