[TimH]

So what is the range of a 50 cal cartridge? Distance and still have stopping power. Do snipers use this cartridge? If so out to what range?

ETA: The reason I ask is that my cousin was telling me tonight that someone was telling him it can go about 2 miles. I find this a bit hard to believe. And actually hit what you're aiming at :scrutiny:

[TimH]

So you're saying it not a very "accurate" cartridge? At any range? I realize its expensive to shot...thats not the question.

[MachIVshooter]

In Afghanistan in 2001, A Canadian sniper made a confirmed kill at 7,982 feet with a Barrett M82. It was the second shot.

[04SilverSCFX4]

I believe the text book answer is 1800+ meters, but that's based on the 750gr projectile exiting an M2 barrel.

[artherd]

2miles is close to 4000yards. Now the .50BMG will still have plenty of energy left at that range to kill a person. However it will be subsonic and a 1MOA rifle will be shooting FOUR FOOT groups.

The longest recorded kill with a .50BMG was about 2600yds, over a mile. Can't do that witha .300WM. But as above, it's a SWAG shot at best :)

.50BMG's main use is in an anti-material role (LAVs, engine blocks, turbines on stationary aircraft, electric boxes, etc.)

In an anti-personal role, a .338Lapua Magnum is capable of kills out past 1500meters. (through kevlar vests no lest.) at ~1/3rd the rifle weight.

[artherd]

In Afghanistan in 2001, A Canadian sniper made a confirmed kill at 7,982 feet with a Barrett M82. It was the second shot.

Not to nitpick, but I have one and I doubt it was an M82A1. Frankly the M82 is a 2MOA gun.

I belive the shot was made with a McMillan TAC-50 bolt-action, which is signifigantly more accurate than my Barrett. (however it won't put a pound of lead on target at range in less than 10 seconds!)

[Tony Williams]

The maximum ballistic range of the .50 BMG cartridge is around 7,000m. The maximum effective range depends on the target - its size and whether or not it's moving.

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website (http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk) and discussion forum (http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/)

[RecoilRob]

Regarding the Canadian shot in Afganistan....IIRC the fellow hit was part of a mortar crew that had been firing on our troops from a fortified position.

The 50 round hit him behind the protective wall as it was coming down at a considerable angle. And, from what I read, the fellow who made the shot said that he was actually aiming at the guy beside the one who was hit.

Shooting things over 1000 yds is an iffy proposition with any caliber in the real world.

[TimH]

Thanks for the replies

BTW Just so yall don't think I was talking to myself :p . There was a post in between my first 2 posts on this thread. The author must deleted it. This is what it said:

since nobody can reliably hit a man with it at any range at which the same thing can't be done with the far more realistic 300 win mag, or some similar rd. Its best use is against propane tanks, fuel dumps, etc, as its power is wasted on a man. The match .50 ammo is $5 a shot, so just how much of the (very much needed) practice (beyond the 1200 yds that a "normal rifle" rd can be made to hit men) do you think anyone GETS, hmm? How many dangerous enemies are going to be so stupid as to hold still (in the open) for the many minutes needed to range them, feed the info into a computer, and set up an adquately-braced shot, hmm? The answer, of course, is almost none. There's only a score or less ranges in the lower 48 states where you can practice at 1200+ yds. It's all a big sucker play, to get guys to waste their time and money on a .50. The only worthy target for a (sound suppressed .50) is a huge, liquid fueled rocket, as it launches. Then you'd be laying a $50 billion $ hit on the enemy.

[KC&97TA]

The 50 cal Barret, commonly in jar head lingo as the SASR, was pushed in by the Navy and the USMC doesn't fancy it, altho we use it. It can engage targets to 2,000 meters. It weighs 28.5 pounds. Not much of a battle rifle, I fancy the SMAW rocket myself. (The SMAW is an 83mm man-portable weapon system)

It's easy to forget, all some of us do is shoot, patrol, hump, swim and shoot more. The Combat Arms side of the military is highly trained and prepared.

It's common to hear of 1000-1100 meter confirmed kills, with the M40 rifle. There was an article before I left were a Reservist Sgt got a confirmed kill on the second shot, if I remember right the distance was slightly over 1260 yards

[50 Shooter]

The Canadians were using a McBros TAC-50 when they made the shot.

Sucker play to use a .50 for it? Let's see if you can do it or better yet, let's see you do it with a .300 Win. Mag. :scrutiny:

[Zak Smith]

The problem at 2000+ yards with any cartridge is that you need to accurately estimate total average wind over the path, and it can change after you pull the trigger (or the target can move).

On the other hand, at a machinegun shoot, I can take a "decent" rifle shooter and get them hitting a junker car at 1760 yards (1 mile) in a few shots.

-z

[nyresq]

On the other hand, at a machinegun shoot, I can take a "decent" rifle shooter and get them hitting a junker car at 1760 yards (1 mile) in a few shots.

well if you're going to go to extremes, use an AC-130 specter and just make the junker disappear in a few seconds :D

[Dr.Rob]

I've fired a Barret semi-auto that was sighted in for 2500 yards... shooting at a target at 800 (if I recall) yards... I asked the hold over/under... the owner replied "about four feet under" I held the crosshairs at the bottom of the 5 foot high propane cylinder with a big smiley face painted on it and fired three rounds. The first skipped off its cheek, the next two were right between the eyes. (or close enough the spotter couldn't tell)

Now I have to say that's the LONGEST shot I've ever made... and a 26 pound rifle with gee-whiz optics and a rear adjustable elevator made it possible--but the basic mechanics of breath control, trigger squeeze etc... they still help a lot.

Recoil wasn't bad at all.

You can certainly shoot a Barret a long way.