Why do 50 BMG rifles cost so much?

[Tommie]

I understand how a precision semi-custom like a Barrett has a high price tag. But all BMG's are silly expensive. Is it a matter of low production numbers for a niche market or is there something extra difficult/expensive in producing a 50 BMG rifle?

For that matter, 338 Laupua rifles aren't much cheaper and that makes even less sense to me.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

I understand how a precision semi-custom like a Barrett has a high price tag. But all BMG's are silly expensive. Is it a matter of low production numbers for a niche market or is there something extra difficult/expensive in producing a 50 BMG rifle?

For that matter, 338 Laupua rifles aren't much cheaper and that makes even less sense to me.

The 50 BMG is a niche market, and apparently people who want one badly enough will pay. Other than the military, who needs one?

The Savage 110 BA can be had in .338 Lapua for around $2000 which is at the high end of mass produced factory rifles, but at the low end for custom builds. Most good smiths can turn a magnum action into a .338 Lapua, so it's more a matter of paying for the custom barrel and the gunsmithing.

The 50 BMG is harder to make, because a custom action is required. It cannot be built on any mass produced action.

 

[jonbearman]

I have an acquaintance who machined(cnc) 8 receivers from 4340 steel and he told me because the receiver is so much bigger it was easier to bore the raceways and the abutments had tons of room to machine them and threading was a breeze. The barrels are made out of the same stock(416) and the size makes the price go up alittle but in the end it is price gouging in my opinion along with liability. The barrels should be roughly the same price but because they make smaller runs they have to charge more. There are plans all over to make them and if you could get a shop to machine one up and send it out for heat treat, maybe it would be cheaper for the receiver only. In the end the companys can charge whatever they want, but the higher price's stunt the market leaving people with disposable income in line to buy them up. Bat make's a really nice receiver for only 2000.oo bucks and if you could get a barrel and have it chambered and fitted you could get away cheaper than buying a complete rifle for 6-10 thousand which an average guy unable to own one or even afford the components to reload for it. The 338 lapua is cheaper all the way around if you want a hard hitter. They are really accurate with a decent barrel. I may be off on bats price, it may be 3000.00 but you can look it up.

 

[Macropod]

50 cal is frowned upon in Australia and 338 Lapua is regarded as evil by our keepers.

The 338-378 Why is ok though! The tacticool factor adds to the price...

 

[Changeling]

GREED !

 

[Charliemac]

Because it's worth it.

 

[hogpatrol]

Make ten thousand and profitably sell them for $1000. Make ten and you need to sell them for $5000 to make a profit. Economies of scale.

 

[matthias]

Your answer lies in how many are built . I would like to see the numbers on " normal rifles " vs big boys.

Hog patrol - you got it in before me

 

[mr45man]

Savage 223 about 350.00?
Savage 338 Lap about 2000?
So what should a 50 BMG cost?
Having witnessed an "affordable Upper" in 50 cal fail ,
5,000.00 + sounds reasonable to me.
John H.

 

[ebb]

Buy a 338 RUM and get 338 LAP MAG performance for less than $1000.

 

[smoooth]

The shell holder bolt action rifles are pretty reasonable, at least by BMG standards. Obviously, you will pay big $$$$ for a full bolt action, and even more yet for a repeater. Lots of options out there if you have the money to feed it and space to shoot it.

Personally, I would stay far away from the 50 BMG AR uppers; you could not pay me to shoot one.

What brand / style are looking at purchasing and will it be for competition or just fun?

 

[StevenDzupin]

Ya wana play, you gotta pay. :

Like most things in life. :'(

Regards,

Steve

 

[shortgrass]

I have an acquaintance who machined(cnc) 8 receivers from 4340 steel and he told me because the receiver is so much bigger it was easier to bore the raceways and the abutments had tons of room to machine them and threading was a breeze. The barrels are made out of the same stock(416) and the size makes the price go up alittle but in the end it is price gouging in my opinion along with liability. The barrels should be roughly the same price but because they make smaller runs they have to charge more. There are plans all over to make them and if you could get a shop to machine one up and send it out for heat treat, maybe it would be cheaper for the receiver only. In the end the companys can charge whatever they want, but the higher price's stunt the market leaving people with disposable income in line to buy them up. Bat make's a really nice receiver for only 2000.oo bucks and if you could get a barrel and have it chambered and fitted you could get away cheaper than buying a complete rifle for 6-10 thousand which an average guy unable to own one or even afford the components to reload for it. The 338 lapua is cheaper all the way around if you want a hard hitter. They are really accurate with a decent barrel. I may be off on bats price, it may be 3000.00 but you can look it up.

Jon, you can make all th receivers you want for yourself, but anyone/any machine shop that'll make one for a customer will need a FFManufacturesL (07). That topic has been discussed here and many other places. It just wouldn't be worth it for 1 or 2 receivers.

 

[Erud]

If you think they are expensive up front, just wait until you realize the mistake you made and end up selling it at a loss!

 

[Toolbreaker]

50's are like having kids. You think to yourself that they're expensive just getting them home, and then you start feeding them...

Nah, the rifles aren't that much.

 

[M14AMU]

The price will be whatever the traffic will bear!!

 

[cuznguido]

If you think they are expensive up front, just wait until you realize the mistake you made and end up selling it at a loss!

And then there is always the possibility that some folks like Haagen Daz ice cream, and some folks like Kroger. All things are a matter of personal preference and thank goodness everybody does think alike.