I have never had much interest in the 50 BMG and have always seen it as the 22 Hornet of the big stuff as opposed to being the next rung on the ladder up from the 600 OK, 460 Wby, 600 Nitro, 505 Gibbs etc. and etc.

What are your views on the 50 BMG.

Mike

Well- Lets see whats wrong with a cartridge that can shoot 2.6 inch 5 shot groups at 1000 yrds?-Rob

I was told of a hunter with a disability who got his elk last year. They put him in a good spot since he couldn't move around. He got his elk at 600 yds with a 50 BMG. I'll bet he doesn't think there's anything wrong with the 50.

By big stuff do you mean the stuff from 20mm to 16 inch? In that case I'd agree that the 50 BMG is at the bottom end.

It is possible to open the .50 BMG case to caliber .700
Then you have a .700 BMG IMPROVED ( 1000 grainer at 3000 FPS or a 1200 grainer at 2600 FPS!!!
That is my views on the .50 BMG

Overkill has got that idea right.It is a huge supply of brass to build my belted straight
wildcats and Rob his 700 BMG Imp.
I have 4 wildcats based on BMG brass on hand...The 3 inch long 700DKT
that Chuck Richardson built...A 2.9 inch .670 cal I made as a project based on a discussion on a previous thread...My 3.85 inch 700 HE.. And a surprise one.Ed.

Mike375,
I would agree with the other posts here..But.
The need for a supersize press,super expensive dies,oversize trimmers.ect.ect turned me off the BMG.
I wanted a 50 though...I was out a couple of years back with a friend that had a Iver Johnson Single Shot and we were drilling bowling pins @ 600 yards,pulverizing them actually...<GGGGGG>
But the rifle and scope and various accoutrements padded the bill for one out of my range....my solution was found here in the form of the .500 A-Square. 88% of the energy with 1/2 the powder and I still use all my current reloading gear except for my deburring tool. I can also carry it by myself,,,not the 35lb monster that most fifty's are set up to be.
I am sold on my 50....barely over 2 grand...still not cheap,but much more attainable for most.
45nut

Well, they're typically out of my price range, (even the cheaper-end ones ) but I have shot a few and I find they're fun pop around with (especially if someone else is paying for the ammo ). In the end, it's just something else to play with...and generate attention at the range.

I like mine, even though it is an LAR that is giving me accuracy problems ( 2 moa so far). It costs me between 75 cents to $2 a round depending how I load it. I spent about $500 on all new press, dies, and measure to get started. The rifle was $2500, cheap scope $300, good scope $1400 after the Tasco SS broke.

It does generate attention and the range and I always bring extra ammo for spectators and their kids to shoot. It does bring anti-gun people out of the woodwork though. I was suprised to hear gun toking individuals asking me why I needed such a large gun. "To make big rocks into little rocks of course!!"

Mike375

My only experience with the .50BMG was with the Ma-Deuce. I LIKE IT!!!

[ 06-11-2003, 00:52: Message edited by: BigBob ]

I love it. It is easily the most accurate rifle I own, and the only rifle I would even try to shoot at 1000 yards, targets of course. When a rifle/cartridge combo can make shooting at 500 yards a snap for a shooter like me, then it's got to be the gun/round.

I think the 50 BMG is a superb cartridge design. Rifles are a bit big to hump around, so would opt for a smaller caliber for a trek.

BUT ... the 2nd Amendment is NOT about hunting rifles. It establishes an important balance of power between the ruled and the ruler.

I whole heartedly support private ownership of this caliber weapon.

Never fired one and know little about these types of rifles but I do admire the case design.

Outside of the competition shooting, and military, i'd say it's pretty much useless.
Trigger

I would like the experience of trying one on for fun.. Got to love your toys, and care for your tools...

If we do not watch these gun grabbers, they will take them all..

I did shoot one about two months ago, 3 shots. It was a blast! If I had the money I would probably have one around. I was only shooting 100yds and it was at bags of flour. quite a lot of fun. If I owned one I would buy carparts at the junkyard and take them out to shoot at. I don't think I would care about trying on paper, I just want one to blow things up! :-)

I saw a demonstration one time in Nevada at the soldier of fortune convention, they had a quad fifty (the big turret that a guy sits in and shoots 4 50's at once). He turned a car into swiss cheese. :-)

Red

I don't own one, and haven't fired one. I'm mostly a varmint hunter, so I see no personal need for anything larger than the 45-70. :-)

A retired friend from a nearby agency is a MASTER of 50 caliber long range shooting, and I would hate to see his sport get eliminated by the current legislation now pending in the People's Republic of California.

Professionally or personally--what manner of firearm you own is none of my business until that arm is used to commit unjustified aggression or violence upon another. If further prohibitionist gun legislation is believed capable of stemming the tide of violence perceived in our society, I suggest we look at the effectiveness of the Volstead Act and narcotics control statutes as a clue to their worth.

Gun control stops crime like disc brakes stop aircraft carriers.

Gentlemen,

My post was not aimed at whether people should be able to own a 50 BMG or whether they were accurate, effective etc.

I was mainly interested in seeing if you thought of the 50 BMG as the next power level up from the 585 Nyati, 577 T rex, 600 OK etc or rather as the first rung on the power ladder of the real big stuff. That is how I see it and why i think of it as the 22 Hornet or 223 of the big stuff.

Mike

A think a lot of tyros uncover it and 'discover' the best 'elephant gun' in their own eyes. But they don't usually last long on a thread full of hunters.

Most see it as replies above indicate-
Serious target.
Harmless fun.
And of course a military weapon system.

Karl.

[ 06-12-2003, 13:52: Message edited by: Karl ]