Bushmaster/Cobb BA50--why not?

[stiletto raggio]

I am in the market for a .50 and I think I have settled on the BA50. I know it is not as accurate as a heavy single shot, but if I want a benchrest rifle, I will get one. Until then, I can be happy shooting standard-length ammo form the magazine and single loading long, match-grade rounds.

Does anyone have a good reason not to get this rifle? Or any reason I should consider another one? I know $4k is a lot of money for my first .50, but it seems like it is better than paying $3k for a rifle that isn't really the one I want.

 

[GearHead_1]

I think you've answered your own question. Get the gun that suits your fancy. I would love to have one. I would probably still keep my AR50 but I would like to have an BA50 also. Most of the available .50's on todays market are more capable than me as a shooter and I'm not exactly a wet towel. I think you'll have plenty of room to grow with the rifle you are looking at.

 

[stiletto raggio]

Awesome. Coming from an FCSA guy, that means a lot. I don't think I will outgrow the BA50, either. Heck, I really can't think of another .50 I would rather have at any price point. Well, maybe an AI... but but for 12k the thing better reload ammo for me.

 

[GearHead_1]

They are a nice looking rifle and it's also nice to have a company as large as BushMaster standing behind the product. I'm not knocking the cottage industry with this comment either. I have a couple of BushMaster's products. I've never had a need to have them back anything up but there is a piece of mind that comes with owning their products. The BA 50 is no light weight, I believe it's only a couple of pounds lighter than the AR50. I sure would like to have the chance to shoot one. 10 years from now the extra thousand dollars that you are talking about spending on this rifle will be a long forgotten issue. I believe that there is a lot to be said about the way a gun looks to you. I've never liked the appearance of Barrett's 95, I've shot them and they shoot great, better than the 82A1's. I think the BA50 has much more eye appeal than the 95. Even if a rifle is a straight shooter, if it doesn't look good or feel right in your hands, you'll never be completely happy with the gun. I hope you get it.

 

[Wes Janson]

Take a careful look at this Arfcom list:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=3&t=195940&page=1

There are lots and lots of alternatives to a BA50. Many cost less, and have arguably better aesthetics. If you want magazine-fed, either an Anzio or a Safety Harbor would cost less, weigh less, and quite potentially shoot better.

 

[Magnuumpwr]

Here is a picture of my Cobb BA-50 with extra mags. It has a 22" barrel with an IOR 6-24x50 scope with the 35mm tube. Gun weighs less than 30#'s.


This photo shows my long range 50 custom made by the late Klaus @ state arms. Empty the gun weighs 42 #'s and has a 36" extra heavy SS barrel and extra heavy duty shark gill muzzlebreak.

 

[stiletto raggio]

Wes,

I checked out that page. The Anzio and SHF rifles have fine reputations, but there is one more benefit to buying a product made by a big company: their MSRP is always higher than street price. I think I will be able to pick up a NIB BA50 for $4k. That puts it right at the cost of an Anzio, though still much more than a SHF. Figure in increased capacity, greater modularity (stocks and grips are all AR) and the fact that the gun comes with 2 mags, a fitted hard case and a bipod, and I think it is a pretty good deal.

Also, of all the .50 makers out there, I would bet that Barrett, Bushmaster and Steyr will be around in 50 years. The smaller companies are personality driven; when the man behind the business retires, the business often goes, too. And spare parts should be readily available, too.

The only .50 bolt gun that I think is better looking is the McBros/Christensen rifle. Beautiful... and $3K more, bone stock.

 

[GearHead_1]

Also, of all the .50 makers out there, I would bet that Barrett, Bushmaster and Steyr will be around in 50 years. The smaller companies are personality driven; when the man behind the business retires, the business often goes, too. And spare parts should be readily available, too.

and Armalite. I know, it doesn't have a magazine.

 

[stiletto raggio]

No offense, Gearhead, but Armalite is far more likely to be out of business in fifty years than any of the aforementioned companies. Steyr is a massive corporation. Barrett is the acknowledged king of military .50s and Bushmaster is the largest maker of civilian ARs in the country.

Armalite, on the other hand, has been out of business (or nearly out) on multiple occasions. I am glad they are back, I love their products, and I don't think they are going anywhere, but they aren't really in the same class as the three I listed.

 

[GearHead_1]

No offense taken.

Armalite, on the other hand, has been out of business (or nearly out) on multiple occasions. I am glad they are back, I love their products, and I don't think they are going anywhere, but they aren't really in the same class as the three I listed.

My point exactly, the name has been owned by 3 different companies of which I'm aware, it's a survivor. I've followed them for 25 years, I have one of the old Sterling manufactured AR180's. Even if today's company has no tie to the original the name lingers on. Lots of BIG companies disappear in a short periods of time, at the end of the day the company that makes money is the one that will be here in the future.

By the way, I'm not really pushing Armalite here. As I mentioned previously I really like Bushy's product and think you are making a fine choice. My AR15 (XM15's) have been very satisfying rifles. That said, I've really liked my AR50 too. Once you get it, come to Utah, we'll shoot it. Since you're making the trip I'll provide the cartridges.

 

[stiletto raggio]

Sounds like a deal. Part of my rationale in finally deciding to take the plunge is that fact that I discovered a fifty-friendly range only 1.5 hours away. Utah would be a pilgrimage (as a John Browning fan, not a Mormon) but I will see what I can do.

 

[IMtheNRA]

Does anyone have a range report they'd like to post?

 

[WoofersInc]

That was the gun I used to own. Finances and other things led me to sell it. At my level of skill the gun far outshot me. At the distances I was shooting at: 300-400 yards the gun was not even breaking a sweat to keep nice tight groups, and that was using standard ammo. I imagine that with match handloads it would be truly immpressive. I truly regret having to part with mine and hope that politics don't prevent me from re-aquiring one when money permits.

 

[gigabit]

Cobb BA50C

Guys, this is the most fantastic .50 out there. I have the carbine version, and let me tell you, I've had it on a mile range, and it is extremely accurate! I have a stock BA50C with a Leupold Mark 4 16x. Un-frickin-believable. Barrett can keep their over-priced weapons! At $4K for a bolt on the left side (where it should be!) and 10-round mags, I'm set for zombies. Bring 'em on!

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

I would love one too... Just don't have that kind of money to spend on a rifle right now unfortunately...

I'm set for zombies.

That is one expensive zombie killer. A .22lr will do just fine, didn't you know? Headshots only of course.

Then again... imagine the heads of those zombies exploding like watermelons with the .50cal!! You can never be too sure I guess...