hunting with 50 bmg

Why would you want to carry around a 30lb rifle?

I guess you could use it for large game from a distance, but there are much better rifles for HUNTING.

In my mind the 50 is a target/range only gun, but I am open to other opinions.

actually there is IIRC there is a group of people who hunt moose or elk or some other large game like that but they shoot at great distances and shoot with spotters to watch the shots. they say that it takes a couple of seconds for the round to reach the target so if it looks like its going to miss or the animal moves the shooter can readjust an fire a second shot before the first hits. I believe this was in Guns and ammo or American rifleman or maybe feild and stream a few years ago.

Considering that the 50BMG completely blows away the 460 Wby Mag or anything else, I guess it could work if you're just riding around in a Land Rover and have somebody hand you the rifle when it's time to shoot the elephant, it could work. Or if you got a Grizzly tag and want to take all the fun out of it and lay on top of a hill waiting for one to come within 500 yards.

I know people do it where legal and they have the right to. I've also heard of people fishing with dynamite.

The biggest legal issue is the size/weight/caliber restrictions of different states. In Montana, there is no such restrictions. The only restrictions placed on the firearm you can use are pretty much limited to prohibiting poisonous, explosive, or non-expanding ammunition. But I recall some hunters in Wyoming shoot game at pretty long ranges with some heavy target rifles chambered for some hot .33 caliber wildcats, and the resulting limitations that state placed on weight limits for rifles the next season. I'd check local laws to be safe.

If there is no state laws prohibiting the use of such rifles, then the determining factor is whether you want to pack around a 30+ pound rifle, or put forth the time to learn how to estimate range, read wind, adjust your optics, and shoot at long range, so you can take advantage of the capabilities of the system.

The lack of appropriate ammunition should be considered in advance as well. Right now my brother is loading 750 gr Barnes Long Range Solids in his AR-50. This projectile would be illegal because it is non-expanding, and the law makes pays no regard to caliber or energy. The 750 gr Hornady Amax might work, but might also expand too fast, and there is no way to know for sure until you drop the hammer on a living creature. Whether you are okay taking the risk of wounding or maiming the animal you pursue is up to you, but most of us at least pretend to care about giving our quarry as respectful and humane a death as possible.

I am not saying I wouldn't hunt with a .50 BMG. I would just have to find what I deemed suitable ammunition first. That would be something that expands and still leaves something to eat. When I find such a thing, in fact, I will be using it to hunt with a .50. Until then, I'll have to stick to my 7 mm Rem Mag.

here is the story I read it was in field and stream

http://www.fieldandstream.com/photo...here-shooting-and-hunting-50-caliber-browning

It's been done.
It's not the best option for wooded areas and with the rifle weighing in excess of 30 Lbs. You wouldn't want to do much, if any, stalking. It's more of a "sit and wait" type of weapon.
It does however make small game or varmint hunting more...uhh...interesting. Just don't expect to have any left to eat.

Ridiculous question.

Anyone actually hunting with a 50 is nuts.

Doing so at extreme ranges is unsportsmanlike and cruel as it will lead to wounded animals.

There are companies that make bullets for hunting with the .50, Barnes, Hawk and Lehigh are just a few that come to mind. There are some people that custom make their own hunting rounds also.

People think that the .50 BMG will disintagrate any that they hit, read the above story as it might change your mind. Why are they nuts? It's just hunting with a bigger rifle.

There was a article in Field & Stream about people who hunt with 50s. Don't recall much but their hunting writter didnt say it was bad or anything.

Full power BMG - Nothing you would want to hunt for food.

Handloaded .50 BMG to a level of a large elephant gun... I would think you could hunt hippo or something with it.

I'd be more concerned about it passing through the target and hitting something unintended.

I was browsing Gander Mountain one day and an older gentleman came up to the counter and asked the sales guy what this mangled bullet was. It was quite large, but he didn't know so I broke out my Leatherman and measured the base at 1/2".

"50 BMG" I said. He said holy cow, this thing hit my truck out on highway 9.

Go with the .338 lapua, it wouldn't make since to use a 50 BMG to hunt.

Doing so at extreme ranges is unsportsmanlike and cruel as it will lead to wounded animals.

Click to expand...

First let me state that I DO NOT think it is a good (read practical) solution for hunting primarily due to the daunting weight. Other obstacles that are inherent to the caliber (proper bullet construction can minimize tissue damage a little) can be overcome...except for the excessive weight (well over 20lbs)...but I will say that I don't believe that many animals are likely to be left wounded due to the devastating power of the round. It would take a exceptionally bad shot to wound and not kill pretty quickly. Could happen...but not typical (I would say less susceptible than conventional hunting calibers at medium-long range)...but definitely not recommended and not sportsman like. The .338LM (or RUM) is a somewhat practical caliber because it can be chambered in a magnum action greatly lessening the weight (to about 10-12lbs), it is certainly worth considering if you have an urge to splurge on a long range rifle.

lobo9er said:

is there any hunting possible with 50 bmg i am thinking about buying b4 possible ban but if theres no real hunting i can do with it i would go with a
.338 lapua or somthing anyone know anyone who has or heard rumors? would there be to much trauma for meat to be anygood etc any info would be great

Click to expand...

you can hunt from squirrels to T-Rex with a .50bmg, as for trauma....who cares... try a head shot and you be ok ....or you can do the lungs in deer/hogs/mule... and get a great stew meat

remember... there is no sucks thing as Overkill. is either wounded or dead.

remember... there is no sucks thing as Overkill.

Click to expand...

You my friend are wrong...I will direct you here for some clarification. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.600_Overkill

Maverick223 said:

You my friend are wrong...I will direct you here for some clarification. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.600_Overkill

Click to expand...

Nice article

It was intended to be the largest bullet that was able to fit in the CZ-550, and was designed specifically for the purpose of elephant hunting.

Click to expand...

i still stand true! it's not overkill for a elephant

i still stand true! it's not overkill for a elephant

Click to expand...

Hmmm, agreed...but it is "overkill" and for an elephant.

^^^ hehehe

I heard somewhere that it's a good round for T Rex.

I'd be more concerned about it passing through the target and hitting something unintended.

Click to expand...

Those are exactly my thoughts. I have one and it's only shot at steel and paper where there is a sufficient berm/backstop. I do not wish to have any stray 50 cal rounds zipping through my pastures. I have never had thought of mine being a hunting rifle, it's just to large and heavy and isnt easy to move around.

Having one in a Sako TRG 42 and it's quite a performer.
The 338 Lapua can be had in normal size and weights and is a fairly heavy hitter with 16-1700 yard range. The down side is it's a little expensive to shoot. The 250 gr Lapua Scenar is a great bullet for a 1:12 while the 300 gr SMK does good in a faster 1:10.

Contrary to popular belief, a big heavy moving bullet such as 50bmg doesnt cause massive tissue damage. Usually they are to heavily constucted to do so, most animals dont offer enough resistance.

It would take a exceptionally bad shot to wound and not kill pretty quickly.

Click to expand...

Meh. Gut shot is gut shot, unless you're using a mountain howitzer. I don't have any problem with the fellow who wants to hunt with a .50 BMG, but I don't appreciate folks taking 800+ yard shots at game animals. It's nothing more than a stunt, and now matter how good a shooter is (or thinks he is, which is a significant part of the problem) there is too much room for error and the stakes are too high.

I'd be more concerned about it passing through the target and hitting something unintended.

Click to expand...

I agree, especially so when you think about how long of ranges people target shoot with it.

Not to mention the weight of the rifle and the fact that its major overkill for pretty much anything in north america.