A bolt action AR rifle can be prepared using a standard AR lower assembly and coupling it to a bolt action upper assembly. The bolt action upper assembly has a bolt action receiver containing a bolt. The method of forming a bolt action AR rifle can include: providing the bolt action upper receiver assembly; providing the standard AR lower AR receiver assembly having a pivot pin and takedown pin; inserting the pivot pin into the pivot pin receiver hole; pivoting the bolt action upper receiver assembly at the pivot pin until the takedown pin is aligned with the takedown pin receiver hole; and inserting the takedown pin into the takedown pin receiver hole.