BMG 50 Upper

[docsleepy]

Thinking about getting a 50 caliber BMG upper to go on AR15 lower. Any advice for people on inexpensive brands, good or bad points?

 

[Hunterdad]

I've shot a few. After shooting a Barrett, the uppers really don't stack up.

 

[50 Shooter]

ALS, Ferret50, Ligimec and Safety Harbor are the ones I would recommend if you plan on buying one. STAY AWAY from BOHICA now Valley Ordinance Works, they have a horrible track record in safety and customer service.

As for the lower, don't worry about any issues as all it does is provide the fire control, no stress is put on it at all. It will not wear it out, break it...

If you have any questions about how they shoot, the ALS and Ferret 50 hold world records for 1000 yard accuracy. They will put a Barrett to shame all day and twice on Sunday, best part is they can be bought with NO FFL middle man as all they are is a part.

What you need to decide is what you want to do with it, plink or competition. If you want to shoot all ammo types get a standard chamber, if you want to shoot competition then get a match chamber. If you get a match chamber you'll need to prep all you brass as the tight chamber usually won't allow standard brass neck sizes to chamber.

 

[docsleepy]

Thanks for all the information! I will be looking into each one of those.

 

[blueskyjaunte]

I have had good experiences with a Zel Custom single-shot upper. Haven't tried their repeater.

 

[Comrade Mike]

Keep us updated! I can't wait to see how this turns out. What are you planning on using it for?

 

[docsleepy]

Well, sorta just another caliber and sorta "prepper" planning / preparation. I like reloading and this is one INTERESTING reload project!

 

[50 Shooter]

Lee makes a cheap reloader for 50 BMG, it will reload decent ammo but the dies are smaller then the industry standard. Presses that use standard dies for the .50 allow you more choices from neck sizing to match. The prices for these dies will make your heart skip a beat as some are hundreds of dollars for just one die.

Check M2 Precision and CH4D for their line of 50 BMG reloading dies and accessories. TEN-X has high quality brass and bullets but they are at the top end of reloading supplies and they ain't cheap. K&M makes some really good case prep tools that will last a lifetime if not abused.

So do your homework and if have any more questions ask and we'll work with you.

 

[centurion20000]

I will second that Safety Harbor choice. I have one. A second set of questions to ask yourself. Do you want this as a long range precision shooter or just as an anti-material rifle. I chose the second option and got the upper with the 22 inch barrel. MUCH more portable. For under $2500 you can get their magazinr fed bolt action upper. All together it weighs about 18 pounds.

 

[BobTheTomato]

As for the lower, don't worry about any issues as all it does is provide the fire control, no stress is put on it at all.

I am now curious as to how it would do on 3D printed lower.

 

[docsleepy]

looks like it is down to the safety harbor, the ferret50 or the Zell.

Managed to order the Lee press kit, found some primers and some brass.

No bullets or powder yet.

Would be nice to have a collet sizer, but I've learned how to adjust full length sizers in other calibers so they JUST push the shoulder back a tiny bit.

 

[docsleepy]

Hey gang, got another question:

How's the resale value on these uppers? Do they sell at all?

 

[50 Shooter]

Yes, as long as it ain't abused, just like any other rifle.

 

[Comrade Mike]

Hey gang, got another question:

How's the resale value on these uppers? Do they sell at all?

I imagine if its kept in good shape standard depreciation applies same with any other rifle.

 

[mulh222]

I just purchased a new/old stock Bohica MkIII that is unfired. I need to build a lower for it and will post here how it turns out. By the way, is there a specific reason to not to shoot military surp rounds since my local gun shop advice was not to but to reload instead. I understand the many reasons for reloading including long distance accuracy, but I only plan to plink 300 yrds or less.

 

[50 Shooter]

First piece of advice, DON'T call Valley Ordinance Works and ask any questions about your BOHICA! They will flip out on you and then hang up, there's no support.

Surplus rounds are loaded hotter but any bolt gun can handle them and then some. Can't speak for the BOHICA. A word of caution, keep an eye on your firing pin as your upper has been known to have them mushroom. That in turn caused them to fire out of battery and caused more then one KB.

A safe load to use is 215 grs. of any of the 50 BMG powders, it will give good accuracy and won't beat you up. As usual, take it with a grain of sand as the load advice is free and you get what you pay for. Be safe and be vigilant with your safety checks with it.

 

[docsleepy]

Can you load 500 Jeffreys bullets for 50 BMG?

 

[mulh222]

I understand earlier Bohica's had firing pin failures but this is an MkIII model so those issues in previous versions should have been fixed by then.

 

[mulh222]

By the way, what basic scopes will best hold up to the 50 cartridge impact? I don't care about illumination or ultra-high power zoom options. A basic black, 3 x 9 power or so would work fine I'm sure for my basic needs and capabilities.

 

[blueskyjaunte]

SWFA Super Sniper is pretty much the only think I would trust in a "low end" scope.

 

[50 Shooter]

If the 500 Jeffreys is .510 in diameter then it technically should, length would be the next issue. As for low end scopes, the Super Sniper would be it until you can afford a high end scope.

Again with the firing pin, keep an eye on it, better safe then pulling a bolt out of your face.

 

[backbencher]

I am now curious as to how it would do on 3D printed lower.

Given a 15 lb upper is recoiling against the lower from the firing of a .50" BMG round, perhaps 50 Shooter meant that a standard aluminum lower would not be unduly stressed or wear out from wearing one of these uppers. I'm not sure how well a printed lower would hold up - but if it was showing signs of wear, you'd just need to swap your parts to the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th lower you had printed for that day's shooting session. In the last video of Defense Distributed's lower I've watched, they ran 600+ rounds of .223" before they ran out of ammo.

 

[Fleetman]

I've had a cheap Tasco scope on my LAR for several years now and a round count of 600 with zero issues.

 

[docsleepy]

Fleetman -- THANKS for that tip!

Dies & press arrived today. OOPS. TWO sets arrived! Their web server hiccupped when I hit the "submit" button and never sent me an email..... two big boxes arrived....... uh huh!

Brass arrived.

Waiting on primers

Ordered bullets.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

If you can afford a stand alone, I would go that route. The 50 BMG uppers will beat a lower to death.. I have seen them putting real stress on the takedown pins and such. Even with a great muzzle brake, they still put some force on the lower even if your shoulder doesn't feel it as much.

I bought a Bushmaster BA50 and love it. A Barrett M99 or Armalite AR50 can be had at a decent price..etc.

If you go the route of an upper, just keep an eye on it.