I see rifles larger than .50 caliber on safari guns, I always thought that they couldn't be above .50?


thanks
I am idiot

Legal WHERE?

in the U.S.

well, good question -
there are historic carts that are allowed, including the 50bmg, and many nitro express rounds.

the laws states something like barrel of .500 or less, which has lead to the 50 caliber ~ 510 or so and 500 caliber ~ .500 GROOVE diameter ...

anything above .500 is considered to be a destructive device - though it's not Explicitly stated as either bore or groove. which is why the 500 linebaugh is a .510 groove, and the 500 SW (50 ae as well) use .500 groove ...

and YES people have been arrested, etc, for larger than .500, including a .512 barrel as that's legally larger than either.

there is a process for a "sporting exception" as well as a destructive device permit. I've done this myself from the 550 express and 550 flanged.

and this is why I invented the 49 or 490 caliber. .498 grove, there's no "50" about it -

Don't forget the muzzleloaders.

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by nopride2:
Don't forget the muzzleloaders.

Dave

generally exempt as "non-firearms" ..

Mostly defined by the state, and for reasons only contrived by the board..seldom to they make since as they are generally firearm ig..

Oh yeah, and the gov such as the fBI, local police depts. etc, some still require 38 specials..

Basically is a cluster %#&!

It is actually a Federal law, and as stated, some sporting cartridges are exempt. So the big double rifles are ok. 50 BMG is exempt too.
Muzzle loaders are not firearms unless you live in Illinois and certain other socialist countries.
Jeff knows the drill.

It is pretty convoluted. There are cartridges that have sporting exemptions and others that are considered "obsolete.

It isn't even really based on actual dimensions. The test is if the ATF's magic"1/2 inch" gauge can pass through the bore, it fails. .510" conventionally rifles barrels pass, but, as an example, polygonal barrels .51 groove to groove fail, hence the 50 AE and to be made with .500"grooves and the S&W copied.

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
...the laws states something like barrel of .500 or less, which has lead to the 50 caliber ~ 510 or so and 500 caliber ~ .500 GROOVE diameter ...

anything above .500 is considered to be a destructive device - though it's not Explicitly stated as either bore or groove.

The law states precisely that it is the BORE of .5"
However, section B & C of Chapter 44 - Firearms definitions also states that antique firearms are exempt (made in 1898 or before) as are rifles if the owner's intent is to use it solely for sporting purposes.

https://www.govinfo.gov/conten...e18-partI-chap44.pdf

"(4) The term ‘‘destructive device’’ means—
(A) any explosive, incendiary, or poison
gas—
(i) bomb,
(ii) grenade,
(iii) rocket having a propellant charge of
more than four ounces,
(iv) missile having an explosive or incendiary
charge of more than one-quarter ounce,
(v) mine, or
(vi) device similar to any of the devices described
in the preceding clauses;

(B) any type of weapon (other than a shotgun
or a shotgun shell which the Attorney
General finds is generally recognized as particularly
suitable for sporting purposes) by
whatever name known which will, or which
may be readily converted to, expel a projectile
by the action of an explosive or other propellant,
and which has any barrel with a bore of
more than one-half inch in diameter; and

(C) any combination of parts either designed
or intended for use in converting any device
into any destructive device described in subparagraph
(A) or (B) and from which a destructive
device may be readily assembled.
The term ‘‘destructive device’’ shall not include
any device which is neither designed nor redesigned
for use as a weapon; any device, although
originally designed for use as a weapon, which is
redesigned for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic,
line throwing, safety, or similar device; surplus
ordnance sold, loaned, or given by the Secretary
of the Army pursuant to the provisions of section
4684(2), 4685, or 4686 of title 10; or any other
device which the Attorney General finds is not
likely to be used as a weapon, is an antique, or
is a rifle which the owner intends to use solely
for sporting, recreational or cultural purposes."

Idaho has a law prohibiting the 50 BMG round for hunting big game..Came about by some hunters using them on elk from the Hiways at 2000 plud yards and not retrieving them and the number of dead elk found in the area blown up pretty bad, and elk with legs blown off etc...Its a good law..Idaho also doesn't allow modern muzzle loaders by selling "primitive hunts" no scopes, no breeh loading, peep sights allowed, that's about it..another good law..

So what about .585 Nyati, .577 Tyrannosaur. 585 Hubel Express for example?

550 magnum, flanged, and express AMMO have sporting round designations. same for 600 OK -

the 577 trex DOES have one or the other, sporting or DD, i am not certain that ed did the paperwork, but i BELIEVE he did, on his big rounds.

the 585 nyati was unclear 12-15 years ago, last time i looked into that one.

there was at least one 550 super magnum (not done by Neal or i) that DID NOT complete the process, as of 3 years ago

People ARE arrested and all of the legal process that happens, for DDs if they are over bore and don't have the work done.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
\.Idaho also doesn't allow modern muzzle loaders by selling "primitive hunts" no scopes, no breeh loading, peep sights allowed, that's about it..another good law..

this one i don't agree with, though, as there are period pieces with at least some of these "features", as well as excluding some people from hunting .. heck, ye olde sharps rifles ALL had peep tang sights for buffalo hunting .. PEEP sights outlawed? omg why, SMH?

Idaho allows peep sights - that is what Ray meant.
Modern inlines are allowed but must have open ignition with percussion caps and open sights. No closed ignition with 209 primers or scopes.

I do like that they allow muzzle loading double rifles unlike Colorado.