What do you think, too big??

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barneyfife.357

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Recently I have ventured into the market for a large bore rifle. I have played with varmint calibers and I have a 25-06 for deer and a 308 for a plinker on the "range" but I want something big. what is your take on the .416 barrett, 50 BMG, 338 lapua, etc

what are the major advantages/disadvantages that I may be overlooking while trying to decide on a caliber? I have pretty much ruled out the 50, but it is always nice to have the largest.

What are the plans for such a rifle you ask? well lets put some holes in paper at say 800, 1000, 1500 meters? Maybe, I will start hunting the broken down cars in the back forty from oh say the back porch.
 
I don't know how much it costs to shoot 338 or 416 but the 50bmg is around $3 for regular ball ammo. Cost is a definite disadvantage but the fun you have while shooting and the smile on your face is priceless.
 
338

Just finished a 338 lapua, CZ550 action, lothar/walther barrel, protype stock and a sure fire brake.
At $50.00 something a box (10 rounds) for the 338 lapua, i hope the customer has a good supply of money.
Price for the parts is also a consideration, $500.00 an item covers most of the major parts for the build, barrel, action,stock,bottom metal, fitting all of it together. it adds up quickly.
The next project is a shorter barrel 416 rigby, now i need to figure out how short is too short for water buffalo in heavy cover.
 
yeah I figured price and finding a range that will let me shoot, I want to start reloading, but should I reload other calibers before jumping to such a large caliber? kinda like practice... not that I want to blow any gun up but the less expensive would be better for a mistake
 
From experience where I am, it seems most don't allow .50 BMG but anything else. Guess they don't know that there are a few other calibers that can fly around the same distance as a .50.

After looking up some ammo, it seems .338 Lapua, .416 Barrett, and .50 BMG are roughly the same price. You might get lucky and find some milsurp .50 BMG a bit cheaper than anything else, but they're all still around $5.00 a shot. I got a .50 because I wanted the biggest and it's the caliber all the gun grabbers seem to want to ban outright. Got it just in case I wouldn't get another chance. Otherwise I would have done a bit more research into the
.408 Cheytac and .338 Lapua.
 
Realistic market price for .50 BMG in decent quantities (>100 rds) is hovering between $3 to $4, depending on source. Barrett is a bit pricier, if you can find it, while Prvi Partisan is just at $3, as I recall.
 
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