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Author Topic: .50 BMG - anyone?  (Read 1830 times)

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Offline HuntingGuy

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.50 BMG - anyone?
« on: April 22, 2006, 05:03:05 PM »
Hi all,

I am the first to admit the biggest rifle I own is a .375, but I was at Cabela's today and those .50 BMG's looked pretty impressive.  For those of you who shoot them on a regular or not-so-regular basis, what sort of accuracy can a guy expect at long ranges (and what sort of scope would you use to account for the long ranges - something with different yardage adjustments I would assume).. Also, what rifle models and manufacturers out there would you consider a solid gun and one that someone could expect geninly good accuracy from?

Any input would be great  :D
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HuntingGuy
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Offline Redhawk1

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.50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2006, 05:29:01 PM »
I have owned two 50 BMG's. A 36 inch Hesse and a Ferret 18 inch 50 BMG. I had Leupold Mark 4 scopes on them. You need a scope with a lot of adjustment if you plan to shoot them long range. I am talking over 500 yards. The accuracy was great and they were a blast to shoot. My problem was, I could not find a range to shoot them at. My range banned them. I sold them after about 700 rounds fired. Very easy to reload for and get supplies. Just a hassle to find a place to shoot them.
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Offline HuntingGuy

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.50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2006, 06:56:45 PM »
Red, thanks for the input - I will probably end up shooting it on my own land, might be the best bet..  Might be a good time to get into RL'ing.  Anyways, in regard to the Leupy MIV, how does adjusting those go?  Is it pretty much a "at 500, i want the knob here.. at 600, i want the knob here.." - Also, how far did you usually shoot it?  And when you said great accuracy, how good?  :D
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Offline msorenso

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.50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #3 on: April 23, 2006, 02:16:33 AM »
Hunting guy,

A 50 cal.  That would be sweet!!! And you haven't even pm me about it. :D
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Offline Redhawk1

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.50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #4 on: April 23, 2006, 02:57:19 AM »
Quote from: HuntingGuy
Red, thanks for the input - I will probably end up shooting it on my own land, might be the best bet..  Might be a good time to get into RL'ing.  Anyways, in regard to the Leupy MIV, how does adjusting those go?  Is it pretty much a "at 500, i want the knob here.. at 600, i want the knob here.." - Also, how far did you usually shoot it?  And when you said great accuracy, how good?  :D


 I was never able to get any place but a 200 yard range.  When I say great accuracy I mean like almost a one hole at 200 yards. I did not get to experiment with long range shooting like I wanted to. One thing that I noticed after shooting the 50 BMG, I would get head aches and my body felt funny from the concussion. I sat down a fired 100 rounds, never again.  :-D  Yes reloading is the way to go. You can get a lot of good information on the 50 BMG from the Fifty Caliber Shooting Society, Watson's Weapons and Biggerhammer.net
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Offline HuntingGuy

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.50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2006, 07:11:35 AM »
Red,

I am looking at the Barrett M99 right now, any experience with them or any word on them?  I guess they run about 3500 bucks, and are the most accurate in the Barrett line.
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Offline K.K

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.50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2006, 01:27:34 PM »
I, too sold my Barrett after only 500 rounds.  I didn't have place to really wring out the long range accuracy.  I mean, I am always careful of my backstop and range with any rifle, but with these things, you must be doubly sure.  I do miss it.  It was a blast to shoot (in every sense of the word).  And accuracy was great.  Good luck with yours!
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Offline HuntingGuy

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.50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2006, 01:56:34 PM »
What did you guys use for scopes??  There are so many damn Leupold long range tactical models.  Would probably end up with the Leupold.  Right now I am tied between the 99 which is a single load bolt action, and the 95 which is a semi auto.  The couple grand different between them might make a difference in my opinion, and to be honest with you, I've always been a bolt guy.
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Offline Redhawk1

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.50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2006, 02:21:40 PM »
I like the single shot myself. I think just about any of the Leupold Mark4 scopes will work fine. You just have to decide what works best for your needs.
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Offline HuntingGuy

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.50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2006, 04:14:59 PM »
Red,

Think i'll go with the Leupold Mark 4 Long Range Tactical M1 Scope 30mm Tube 8.5-25x 50mm Side Focus Illuminated Mil-Dot Reticle Matte   :D

Will let you know how everything turns out.
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Offline corbanzo

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.50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #10 on: April 24, 2006, 06:21:06 AM »
What would be some of your experienced fellows guess that the wind drift would be with a 10-15 mph wind at 1000 yards with the BMG??
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Offline K.K

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.50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #11 on: April 27, 2006, 01:39:22 PM »
I have never fired one at that range, but I am guessing that it wouldn't be much. The .50 BMG fires heavy bullets and have  lot of propellant behind them, and those are two important factors when bucking wind.
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Offline Lone Star

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.50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #12 on: April 27, 2006, 02:56:24 PM »
Facts anyone?  The 750 Hornady launched at 2600 fps will drift 44" at 1000 yards in a 15 mph crosswind.  The important factors in wind drift are ballistic coefficient, and velocity.  Not much else matters bullet-wise.
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Offline Redstick

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WHAT SCOPE?
« Reply #13 on: May 08, 2006, 07:14:09 PM »
I asked "THE SCOPE GURU", a guy at a local gun show, what would be the best scope for the .50 BMG... The best buy for the money, one that would hold up, etc... He suggested a Tasco 6-24 X 42 Varmit Tactical with a milldot reticle, built-in range finder, and adjustable objective lens.
          Shore glad I asked, 'cause it's been an excellent scope! Some of the Leupolds and Nightforce scopes haven't even lasted through 12 rounds of .50 BMG recoil! This one's far past that now. It was also far less expensive.
           I figured to get the Tasco to get to shootin' and then possibly up-grade later. At this point, I think I'll stick with the Tasco, 'cause anything else wouldn't seem to be much of an up-grade to me.
                                          Redstick
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Offline Redhawk1

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Re: WHAT SCOPE?
« Reply #14 on: May 09, 2006, 12:09:27 AM »
Quote from: Redstick

          Shore glad I asked, 'cause it's been an excellent scope! Some of the Leupolds and Nightforce scopes haven't even lasted through 12 rounds of .50 BMG recoil! This one's far past that now. It was also far less expensive.     Redstick


I find that hard to believe. I was heavy into the 50 BMG's and if you go to the Biggerhammer and 50 Cal Institution sites you will see that  Leupold's and Nightforce scopes are the recommended scopes. Go ahead and blow out your Tasco and see if it gets replaced . On one of my 50 BMG's I had a Leupold VaraX III 3.5X10X50 and shot well over 500 rounds and the scope held up fine. I now have that scope on my Tikka 300 Win Mag.
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Offline conrad101st

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.50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #15 on: May 11, 2006, 08:54:01 AM »
I have a serbu and use a Leupold Mark 4, 6.5 x 20 mildot and it is very good.  The gun will hold a cloverleaf at 100 yards.
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Offline wahunterinrok

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.50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #16 on: May 11, 2006, 05:31:46 PM »
I had some experience shooting a M82 with our snipers in Iraq.  We had a 1000 meter range( it wasnt all inside our compound, but no real range laws there LOL, and it was definitly a experience to shoot, and quite a blast too!!
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Offline dscp

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Re: .50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #17 on: October 18, 2006, 11:15:50 AM »
:oHOWDY! INDEAD THEY ARE A BLAST...THE LOW END TO GO IN AT IS SOMETHING LIKE WATSONSWEAPONS.COM. YOU USE THE LOWER FROM YOUR AR-15 AND PUT THIS MONSTER ON TOP. NOT REALLY BAD AT ALL .
I HAVE ONE TO SELL (NOW USING BOLT ACTION) FOR $1,000.00 FTF AND ADD WHAT EVER ACCESORIES YOU WANT. MY FAVORITE IS THE BLUE TIPS BUT THAY ARE ALSO THE MOST EXPENSIVE .     ANY OF YOU FIFTY FELLOWS LIVE AROUND THE GULF COAST ?
keep your powder dry,
dscp
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Offline S.S.

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Re: .50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #18 on: October 23, 2006, 08:02:04 AM »
Why Buy Something that the Democrats are going to BAN ownership of in a couple of months !
  >:( ......Those Sorry Democraps! Politics, I hate em' ...Here we go again!!!
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Offline HuntingGuy

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Re: .50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #19 on: October 27, 2006, 09:45:51 AM »
Quote
Why Buy Something that the Democrats are going to BAN ownership of in a couple of months !
  Because I have a passion for pissing off democrats...  ;D
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HuntingGuy
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Offline jro45

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Re: .50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #20 on: October 27, 2006, 11:44:18 AM »
The biggest rifle I own is the 416 Rem. So good luck with the 50BMG. Like Redhawk1 said we have no place to shoot them where we live.  Him and I live about 18 miles apart.
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Offline dscp

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Re: .50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #21 on: October 27, 2006, 02:50:05 PM »
HOWDY AGAIN! I DO NOT HAVE PERSONAL EXPERANCE IN ALL THINGS,...BUT ONCE I HAD A SCOPE GO BAD . I CONTACTED THE FACTORY AND THEY SAID TO SHIP IT TO THEM . I DID . YOU KNOW, TASCO NEVER ASKED WHAT IT WAS MOUNTED ON , HOW HOT THE LOADS WERE...JUST HERE IS A NEW ONE. I HAD NO SALES RECEIPT , NO NOTHING.......WHEN IT WAS OVER I HAD A NEW SCOPE.
THIS IS NOT SECOND HAND INFO. IT HAPPENED TO ME.
dscp
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Offline HuntingGuy

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Re: .50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #22 on: October 27, 2006, 05:42:39 PM »
dscp, that's customer service!!
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HuntingGuy
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Offline kyote

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Re: .50 BMG - anyone?
« Reply #23 on: October 27, 2006, 06:38:31 PM »
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