Hello Everyone, Great site by the way. I am interested in a .50 cal single shot rifle and was wondering what I may be able to get used or affordably enough at an upcoming gun show? Anything to look for or avoid and what price range? Thanks
.50 Bmg
- Thread starter quick68
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50 Shooter
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It all depends on how long you want to wait. If you check the other thread that I post for the mag fed .50 upper a.k.a. UltraMag50, the designer posted alot of info on it. They're going into production right now and there's a waiting list, figure the end of the year for delivery if you get on the list now and everything goes as planned.
Now here's the interesting thing, the Advanced Long Range Systems .50 BMG upper WON the bipod class at the fifty caliber championships that were held over the July 4th weekend. Not an easy task when you consider the competition was McMillans, Robars, Windrunners and the like. Here's their website if you want to take a look at them www.50bmgar15conversion.com From what I was told by a friend who was at the championships, certain people had made coments about the upper. By the time the match was done, they were eating their words.
Most of the uppers start at about $1,500 or so and go up from there depending on how you want it set up. The exception being the Watson's Weapon's upper that runs about $1,200. The reason it's cheaper is that it's an older design and you have to "shotgun" the upper and screw in/out the bolt to load/unload it, then reassemble to shoot it.
Now here's the interesting thing, the Advanced Long Range Systems .50 BMG upper WON the bipod class at the fifty caliber championships that were held over the July 4th weekend. Not an easy task when you consider the competition was McMillans, Robars, Windrunners and the like. Here's their website if you want to take a look at them www.50bmgar15conversion.com From what I was told by a friend who was at the championships, certain people had made coments about the upper. By the time the match was done, they were eating their words.
Most of the uppers start at about $1,500 or so and go up from there depending on how you want it set up. The exception being the Watson's Weapon's upper that runs about $1,200. The reason it's cheaper is that it's an older design and you have to "shotgun" the upper and screw in/out the bolt to load/unload it, then reassemble to shoot it.
Preacherman
Member
Welcome to THR! We're a happy family here (usually... 
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I don't know about used single-shot .50 rifles. Every one that I've seen has been priced into the stratosphere! I suspect you might do just as well saving up for a new one.
)I don't know about used single-shot .50 rifles. Every one that I've seen has been priced into the stratosphere! I suspect you might do just as well saving up for a new one.
cracked butt
Member
What about homemade rifles? I saw a guy at the range a month ago with a .50 that had a single shot receiver made in some local machine shop that you actually had to remove the entire bolt to load/unload, fitted to a surplus .50 aircraft machinegun barrel topped off with an enormous homemade (machined) muzzle brake. The setup was very heavy, very loud, and incredibly cool
chicago jerry
Member
I have a Armalite AR50 its a great rifle very well made. The one thing you have to remember are the other cost of shootin a 50bmg. The cos t of ammo is high and that goes with out saying. You will also need a good scope. I put a cheap scope on mine and it didn't last 50 rounds. The recoil of a 50 will tare a scope up. You can look to spend $600.00 to $1200.00 on a good scope suitable to put on a 50. Then again the trill of pulling the trigger on a 50 is very cool!
quick68,
I usually see Armalite's AR-50 a the shows around here, both new and used and nicely priced. The only negative thing I've ever heard about them is their weight. Otherwise, they're all good. I decided on the Barrett M99 and am very happy with it. It was a little more expensive than the AR-50, but its also shorter due the bull-pup design and lighter as well.
Check out AR15.com's Armory / 50 BMG board. Lots of good information over there. Also, Biggerhammer.net - except over there you've got to wade through a lot of garbage to find the nuggets of good info.
I usually see Armalite's AR-50 a the shows around here, both new and used and nicely priced. The only negative thing I've ever heard about them is their weight. Otherwise, they're all good.
I decided on the Barrett M99 and am very happy with it. It was a little more expensive than the AR-50, but its also shorter due the bull-pup design and lighter as well.Check out AR15.com's Armory / 50 BMG board. Lots of good information over there. Also, Biggerhammer.net - except over there you've got to wade through a lot of garbage to find the nuggets of good info.
Look at
http://www.largrizzly.com/
Its a single shot 50 that is a shell holder design. Its a take off of the Maddi-Griffen design with a few refinements.
The rifle, due to its single shot design is extremely accurate and they cost around 2100 bucks.
They are a "bullpup" design, so you can have a longer barrel in a shorter gun. You can get just about any lenth you want, my barrel is 40 inches long.
If you are so inclined, you can buy a kit from Maddi-Griffen and use their parts are build your own or buy the plans. I know of several rifles that have been built for personal use, all are very well done and shoot even better. You must have a background in machining though.
Pics of it can be seen here. . Homeade 50 rifle pics
PM me if you have any questions,Ill be glad to help.
Once you get used to shooting the .50, everything else just seems "minor".
http://www.largrizzly.com/
Its a single shot 50 that is a shell holder design. Its a take off of the Maddi-Griffen design with a few refinements.
The rifle, due to its single shot design is extremely accurate and they cost around 2100 bucks.
They are a "bullpup" design, so you can have a longer barrel in a shorter gun. You can get just about any lenth you want, my barrel is 40 inches long.
If you are so inclined, you can buy a kit from Maddi-Griffen and use their parts are build your own or buy the plans. I know of several rifles that have been built for personal use, all are very well done and shoot even better. You must have a background in machining though.
Pics of it can be seen here. . Homeade 50 rifle pics
PM me if you have any questions,Ill be glad to help.
Once you get used to shooting the .50, everything else just seems "minor".
Forgot to add - Serbu's are also very well respected, probably in the same price range as the Armalite and Barrett single shots: $2-3k+. Of course you'll need a scope to put on it: ~$1k (or more depending on your needs). Then its just ammo and some place to shoot.
Oh - and as far as the scopes go. If you plan on getting a variable power scope with any type of range-finding capabilities (mil-dot or similar) be sure to get the reticle on the first focal plane rather than the second. This way it will be accurate throughout the power range instead of only being able to utilize the range-finding capabilities at one power setting.
Oh - and as far as the scopes go. If you plan on getting a variable power scope with any type of range-finding capabilities (mil-dot or similar) be sure to get the reticle on the first focal plane rather than the second. This way it will be accurate throughout the power range instead of only being able to utilize the range-finding capabilities at one power setting.
digex
Member
I've recently fallen in love with the 50s too. I don't have one but I've been shopping them seriously. I expect to pay 2-3k$ when I finally get one and that will depend on the exact model and whether its new or used. Good luck and post pics if you get one.
Tommy
Tommy
mpthole got it right...
Serbus are the best value for the buck I think.
If I ever actually buy a .50 it'd be a Serbu. They are light,(as far as a .50 goes anyways) and they are bolt action, which is much easier and quicker than a shell holder design.
Havent shot an Ultramag, but it looks cool.
And a thing about scopes on .50's...
You can put any scope you want on a .50, but if you dont get a high quality scope (Leupold,Nightforce,Swavorski) its just a matter of time till the rifle EATS it. Im currently on number 3 .
It even ate a Leupold 4x14 tatical, but at least Leupold gave me a new one. Right now Ive got a Tasco World Class 8x40 that has about 400 rounds on it. SO far...so good. I dont consider the Tasco to be in the same leagues as the others, but at least it hasnt broke yet.
Serbus are the best value for the buck I think.
If I ever actually buy a .50 it'd be a Serbu. They are light,(as far as a .50 goes anyways) and they are bolt action, which is much easier and quicker than a shell holder design.
Havent shot an Ultramag, but it looks cool.
And a thing about scopes on .50's...
You can put any scope you want on a .50, but if you dont get a high quality scope (Leupold,Nightforce,Swavorski) its just a matter of time till the rifle EATS it. Im currently on number 3 .
It even ate a Leupold 4x14 tatical, but at least Leupold gave me a new one. Right now Ive got a Tasco World Class 8x40 that has about 400 rounds on it. SO far...so good. I dont consider the Tasco to be in the same leagues as the others, but at least it hasnt broke yet.
I'm a lefty and am considering the Serbu bolt gun.
However, the bolt slot down the right side of the stock of the Serbu looks to be rather sharp and would be the same place a lefty would put his soon-to-be-chewed-up cheek.
Anyone know if this would be the problem I imagine it to be?
Some of the prices cited above appear to be high.
Check out this dealer.
http://www.50bmgstore.com/50bmgcurrentprices.htm
Rick
However, the bolt slot down the right side of the stock of the Serbu looks to be rather sharp and would be the same place a lefty would put his soon-to-be-chewed-up cheek.
Anyone know if this would be the problem I imagine it to be?
Some of the prices cited above appear to be high.
Check out this dealer.
http://www.50bmgstore.com/50bmgcurrentprices.htm
Rick
These prices are not very good, one could do better on most of the models listed.
Anyway, I had a 99 and it was great....the Serbu is definitely a nice gun as well. Single shot wise, given the choice I would get a Barrett 99-1.
Its personal preference though, between a Barrett or the Serbu you can't go wrong.
Only one I wouldn't consider is the AR-50, a bit heavy for my tastes......its even heavier than my 82A1.
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