Build or Buy a 50 BMG rifle.

[the long shot]

I shoot club benchrest 100/200 and dabbled a little at 600 yd stuff but an itch I have always had was to own and shoot a big fifty accurately.

The cost of the off the shelf units have always kept me out of the game and finding a place to let the gun shine has been an issue but I might take the plunge in the next year.

Is it better/cheaper to buy an off the rack 50 cal or is better to build. I am looking for something bolt action (preferred) with a box mag though a single shot is not out of the question. Any recommendation builds or buys would be welcomed.

I expect to start off with factory ammo and go from there. My Rock Chucker press isn't big enough for the BMG at the moment.

I don't want those "remove bolt to add round" rifles.

Budget for the rifle is at most 8500 and that is my top end.

 

[ELR Researcher]

Virtually everything 50 BMG is expensive. But "expensive" is relative. And "off-the-shelf" includes a very wide range of products and costs. What is your budget for the rifle, less scope and scope mounts? Do you plan on reloading or buying "off the shelf" ammo?

 

[jonbearman]

I believe Bat is making a 50bmg reciever and all you need is a stock,trigger,and barrel.

 

[PaulJ]

Barnard also make an action and also a complete rifle.
Cheers
Paul

PS
My F Class rifles are built on Barnard actions

 

[its only light]

I don't own own but if cost was an issue which it always is I'd go with the Noreen ULR I believe its called. It's a single shot and it has a really cool bolt head. I shot one in .416 Barrett and was super impressed. The muzzle break was awesome I'm sure the weight (seemed like it was pushing 40 pounds) helped too but it was pleasant to shoot although loud as hell. Anyways I think they are the cheapest 50 you can touch. It was still very accurate! I think a guy is selling an action for one of these in the classifieds, not sure if its the right lot face for a 50 or not though.

 

[Blaster-37]

Randy Dierks, Action Gun Works.

 

[Travelor]

Buy a 50 BMG rifle.

Buying and feeding a 50BMG is expensive no matter how you go about it.
I consider this book to be the best on the whole 50BMG subject and a must read BEFORE buying a gun. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Complete-50-Calibre-Sniper-Course/Dean-Michaelis/e/9781581600681 Don't let the "sniper" word turn you off, this book is a wonderful source of 50BMG information.

BUT I think you would be best served buying a complete gun. I personally hate the ones that you have to put the cartridge onto the bolt and then insert the bolt back into the gun. Called a shell holder bolt. Also be aware that EVERYTHING for a 50BMG costs more - cases, bullets, primes, dies, presses, etc.

There are some really cheesy guns out there just trying to make a buck of someone wanting a 50BMG so be careful.

I got the itch a few years ago and ended up with an Armalite AR-50 and love it. It is a conventional style single shot rifle that shoots VERY well with Hornady A-Max and Hodgdon 50BMG powder. and is tough as nails I am very pleased with this rifle and recommend it. Recoil is not bad at all and my 120 pound wife shot it with no complaints at all.

Here are some references for you to red up on the 50BMG before buying:

http://www.fcsa.org/wwwroot/index.php
http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=50A1B
http://www.fiftycal.org/
http://biggerhammer.net/barrett/wwwboard/
http://www.survivalblog.com/noncorrosive.html

Also remember a 50BMG is one big big gun and a real kick to shot.

George

 

[cmillard]

i sat down recently and thought it over for a while. i couldn't decide on if i wanted a .50 bmg, .408 cheytac, or .338 lapua. as much as i wanted a .50, i went with the .408. why?? for one, a mcmillan tac-50 single shot is double the price of the stiller tac .408 1.6" single shot that i ordered. plus the added cost of reloading for the .50. since i have a lee classic cast that can hold the .50 bmg, i would still need the case prep tools. and why not a .338? for one, that round is expensive compared to the performance you get compared to the .408. i do not regret my decision one bit on going with the .408CT. mike rock is making me a barrel 1-13" 7R 1.4" cylinder that will finish at 33.5", plus the .408 will do just as much damage and shoot just as far as a .50BMG. this is worth considering in your project

 

[Travelor]

I beg to differ - the 50 BMG surplus bullets and ammo can be had in Ball, AP, API, APIT, Incendiary, Tracer, and the now special Mark 211, Mod O, API. this is in addition to the commercially available bullets.

Before the current President, surplus bullets were really pretty cheap. The incendiary bullets were the most interesting.

I have had best accuracy with the Hornady A-Max.

 

[cmillard]

130 grains of powder vs 230 grains, plus recoil. yeah, i would love to have a .50, but it is just not worth it right now. i do have a .500 jrh revolver though, so that will have to be my .50 for now

 

[Glenn Powell]

Here is one for ya, one of the regulars at the range has a 50 Improved! Talk about a beast,he is nice enough to worn ya when he is gonna touch it off. I go sit in my truck when he dose. He also has a 50 improved Short. He says be gets the same amount of powder in it as he dose a normal 50. The breaks he uses are the big nasty triangular looking ones, and he has gone through a few to get to those, and said they are the only ones he will use from now on. His only complaint, powder, he keeps running out.

 

[mr45man]

The long shot
check out FCSA on the web. there are guns for sale there from time to time.

John H.