50 Shooter
member
Barrett was using the Bushnell Elite series on their M99 package deal a couple of years back, don't know if they still do that. I think it was the 3200 model but you might have to search around to be sure.
Let's talk .50 BMG rifles
- Thread starter savetheclaypigeons
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Strongbad
Member
+1 for State Arms. That's what we have. A "Lightweight" model [no longer made]. Very well built and very accurate.
<SLV>
Member
Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm going to try out the $80 Barska Varmint 6-24x50 AO when my BOHICA upper comes in. They have a "limited lifetime warranty" -- I've e-mailed them to ask for a copy of that warranty to read over.
On the BOHICA forum a lot of people like the following "entry-level" options ($300-$500 range):
1. Barska SWAT 6-24x60
2. SuperSniper 20x42
3. Burris Fulfield II 6.5-20x50
On the BOHICA forum a lot of people like the following "entry-level" options ($300-$500 range):
1. Barska SWAT 6-24x60
2. SuperSniper 20x42
3. Burris Fulfield II 6.5-20x50
Zak Smith
Member
I did a review of some "budget" 50 BMG choices last year:
article | Battle of the Budget .50 BMG Rifles
article | Battle of the Budget .50 BMG Rifles
50 Shooter
member
Zak,
Did you try to get a BOHICA upper for the test? I know you called it budget .50 review but I didn't see the Ferret50 or the ALS. I know both of these aren't cheap as far as the rest but they are still on the budget side.
As far as the ALS & Ferret50 go, both have been proven at matches and if I was going to buy one for competition it would be one of those two.
I have shot all of the .50 uppers in your test as the guys that I shoot with have or have had one of these type of uppers. If I had to choose one it would be the SHF/R50 due to it being a repeater.
Here's two reviews my friend did on his.
http://www.daplane.com/50bmg/ul50rpt.htm
http://www.daplane.com/50bmg/um50rpt.htm
Did you try to get a BOHICA upper for the test? I know you called it budget .50 review but I didn't see the Ferret50 or the ALS. I know both of these aren't cheap as far as the rest but they are still on the budget side.
As far as the ALS & Ferret50 go, both have been proven at matches and if I was going to buy one for competition it would be one of those two.
I have shot all of the .50 uppers in your test as the guys that I shoot with have or have had one of these type of uppers. If I had to choose one it would be the SHF/R50 due to it being a repeater.
Here's two reviews my friend did on his.
http://www.daplane.com/50bmg/ul50rpt.htm
http://www.daplane.com/50bmg/um50rpt.htm
Zak Smith
Member
Hi,
I only had time and print space for the three rifles. It was a huge hassle to coordinate the rifles, ammo, and scopes; the review process was spread over almost 6 months due to availability, snafus, and let's say "misinformation"; I wouldn't be surprised if I lost money on the review. In retrospect, I wouldn't attempt to do it again.
That said, I do agree with your conclusion about the SHF rifle. Of the three, it was the clear preference. Nobody liked the super-short UL50 (dumb barrel length choice), and the screw-bolt WW was too inconvenient. I think the UL50 would be comparable to the SHF/R50 (ignoring the magazine on the R50) with a longer barrel.
After having shot about a dozen different 50 designs in the last ten years, I strongly prefer a well-designed purpose-built rifle system-- not just something that happens to shoot .50BMG cartridges. Ergonomics are also extremely important on the 50BMG.
Here's a sample of photos of some different rifles.
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............... Larger ersion of above photo.
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I don't have a picture of the AR-50, but you can see an AR-30 in the background in one of those pics.
I only had time and print space for the three rifles. It was a huge hassle to coordinate the rifles, ammo, and scopes; the review process was spread over almost 6 months due to availability, snafus, and let's say "misinformation"; I wouldn't be surprised if I lost money on the review. In retrospect, I wouldn't attempt to do it again.
That said, I do agree with your conclusion about the SHF rifle. Of the three, it was the clear preference. Nobody liked the super-short UL50 (dumb barrel length choice), and the screw-bolt WW was too inconvenient. I think the UL50 would be comparable to the SHF/R50 (ignoring the magazine on the R50) with a longer barrel.
After having shot about a dozen different 50 designs in the last ten years, I strongly prefer a well-designed purpose-built rifle system-- not just something that happens to shoot .50BMG cartridges. Ergonomics are also extremely important on the 50BMG.
Here's a sample of photos of some different rifles.
............... Larger version of above photo.
............... Larger version of above photo.
............... Larger ersion of above photo.
............... Larger version of above photo.
............... Larger version of above photo.
............... Larger version of above photo.
............... Larger version of above photo.
............... Larger version of above photo.
I don't have a picture of the AR-50, but you can see an AR-30 in the background in one of those pics.
servantofinari
Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2009
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- 93
I have never heard of a AR-15 .50 BMG upper, i have heard of the .50 Beowulf upper. If i was going for one i would get the Barrett M99 in a .416 cal, more acuracy.
gvnwst
Member
Zak--what is that wood stocked pistol grip .50? Looks kinda funny...
Zak Smith
Member
Mauser M1918
Acera
Member
Zak, a couple more questions. On that Mauser M1918, it does not appear to have a muzzle brake. am I correct? How does it's recoil compare to the others? I feel it will kick significantly more, but is it manageable.
servantofinari wrote:
There are plenty of models out there in that configuration. You should check out the availability and price of the .416 ammo, then compare it to .50 BMG. At least you can buy the .50BMG ammo easily, where it is problematic to get the .416. The price for the uppers come in a lot cheaper than the purpose built guns. and don't require you purchase it through a FFL. Most of the upper manufacturers offer the .416 option also. Check these sites if you are interested:
http://www.bohicaarms.com/
http://www.50bmg.net/pilot.asp?pg=default
http://ferret50.com/index.html
http://www.safetyharborfirearms.com/UltraMag_50/ultramag_50.html
http://www.ultralite50.com/index.html
I am sure there are others........
servantofinari wrote:
There are plenty of models out there in that configuration. You should check out the availability and price of the .416 ammo, then compare it to .50 BMG. At least you can buy the .50BMG ammo easily, where it is problematic to get the .416. The price for the uppers come in a lot cheaper than the purpose built guns. and don't require you purchase it through a FFL. Most of the upper manufacturers offer the .416 option also. Check these sites if you are interested:
http://www.bohicaarms.com/
http://www.50bmg.net/pilot.asp?pg=default
http://ferret50.com/index.html
http://www.safetyharborfirearms.com/UltraMag_50/ultramag_50.html
http://www.ultralite50.com/index.html
I am sure there are others........
Zak Smith
Member
Recoil is substantial but not extremely hard-hitting because it weighs about 45-50 lbs as I remember. There's a reason it's on that nice wood tripod: you shoot it sitting and it sort-of shoves you backward.
I owned a M99 for less than a month (it's pictured). It was one of the distinctly most uncomfortable 50's to shoot. Anyway, you should always fact-check claims about "accuracy" of other calibers. 416 has impressive ballistics, however, that's a little different issue than accuracy.
<SLV>
Member
I ordered the scope for my 50 BMG today. I went with the Bushnell Elite 3200 10x40 Mil-Dot Target. I got it for $185 shipped from http://www.libertyoptics.com/. It isn't listed on their site -- just e-mail Scott for info.
I think this is the best 50 option under $200.
I think this is the best 50 option under $200.
<SLV>
Member
Acera
Member
<SLV>
Tell me how you like that scope when you get a chance.
Post it here, or on the other board we both post on if you like.
Nice looking MKII you got there.
Tell me how you like that scope when you get a chance.
Post it here, or on the other board we both post on if you like.
Nice looking MKII you got there.
Wingnut13
Member
I bought a ferret 50 with a 29" barrel. When I lived in NM I shot a bunch but since my move to NE I haven't shot at all.....
Anyways, The ferret has been a fine rifle. Good accuracy, I have a Super Sniper scope on it and it has held up just fine. A "cheap setup" if there is one. I sold my 5.0 convertible for it. I also stopped by their shop in FL while I was TDY close by. Nice people and a nice shop. I wouldn't hesitate to buy the same setup again if I had too. -wingnut13
Anyways, The ferret has been a fine rifle. Good accuracy, I have a Super Sniper scope on it and it has held up just fine. A "cheap setup" if there is one. I sold my 5.0 convertible for it. I also stopped by their shop in FL while I was TDY close by. Nice people and a nice shop. I wouldn't hesitate to buy the same setup again if I had too. -wingnut13
<SLV>
Member
Acera,
The scope is surprisingly bright and the turrets are really tight. It is very well built. I did have to clean a little bit of glue off the outside bell of the ocular left over from the manufacturing process -- I thought that was a little sloppy on the part of Bushnell.
The Burris Extreme rings are top notch. I'm very impressed with the quality and heft of these alluminum rings.
BTW... It is an MK-II, but it has the MK-III muzzle brake.
The scope is surprisingly bright and the turrets are really tight. It is very well built. I did have to clean a little bit of glue off the outside bell of the ocular left over from the manufacturing process -- I thought that was a little sloppy on the part of Bushnell.
The Burris Extreme rings are top notch. I'm very impressed with the quality and heft of these alluminum rings.
BTW... It is an MK-II, but it has the MK-III muzzle brake.
Acera
Member
Yeah I noticed that. It seems a lot of MK-II owners have had the opportunity to purchase the newer brake and replace them. The MK-III brake is by far a better looking product than the older versions.
Let us know how it groups for you.
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