Bear Creek Arsenal, out of Sanford, North Carolina, makes more AR rifles and upper receivers in more calibers and configurations than anyone. Despite that preoccupation, Bear Creek makes room for other designs, like the new Grizzly striker-fired pistol and the BC 200 series of rimfire rifles based on the Ruger 10/22. New for 2024 is the BC 202, a varmint-ready autoloading rifle chambered in the venerable .22 Magnum cartridge.
The BCA 202 is the next size up the food chain from their BCA 201 chambered in .22 Long Rifle. It features a heavy 16-inch stainless steel barrel available in a .920-inch diameter bull profile or a version with fluting. Each has an 11-degree target crown that makes the muzzle impervious to damage when carried in the field. The BCA 202 is also available with a threaded barrel for more discreet shooting.
The heavy barrel is housed in a Hogue over-molded stock with integrated sling studs. The action is based on the 10/22 and makes use of excellent Ruger aftermarket accessories. The T6 aluminum receiver has a fixed Picatinny rail for any conceivable optic. The 202 feeds from factory 9-round Ruger .22 magnum rotary magazines. BCA has also included a Ruger BX trigger, which has an adjustable trigger weight and overtravel compensation. In addition, the bolt of this blowback-operated rifle features dual extractors, which aid in its reliability. It also has BCA’s enhanced charging handle for ready manipulation in all weather.
In a sea of lever actions and bolt guns, the BCA 202 is one of a growing number of semi-automatic rifles chambered in the flat-shooting .22 Magnum cartridge. This new offering is now available for purchase and has an MSRP of $395.00.
