Why aren't there more .50 BMG big game rifles?

[50 Shooter]

It's funny to read a thread on 50 BMG and see a picture of myself, thanks Acera. I find it interesting that many of you think shooting the 50 is so dangerous. I've let little kids shoot mine and all they get is a big smile like this.

There are 50's that can be shot offhand, most being AR's with short barreled uppers. You can see in the pics posted that it can be done and in fact the felt recoil was less standing then shooting from the bench.

As far as AR lowers being damaged by the upper, that issue has been put to rest years ago. All the lower does is provide the fire control group, no pressure is put on it from the upper. If lowers were being ruined from 50 uppers they wouldn't have become as popular as they are now.

For those of you that don't think the 50 can't be used for hunting, go to youtube and look it up. There are plenty of hunting rounds made for the 50 and they don't blast the meat to bits. All the OP was asking for was opinions on using one, one poster had it correct, most foreign countries have a ban on Military cartridges being used by civilians. Other then that the 50 will kill any animal dead and that's the goal right?

 

[Ranb]

I certainly agree that the body absorbs the recoil better while standing than sitting at the bench or prone. I have found that eye relief was more of an issue though.

It is rather sad that some of the jerks on this forum use the same "it wrecks the meat" claims as politicians do when trying to ban 50 caliber rifles. When gun owners are working to ban guns, it makes it harder for the rest of us to keep them legal. Thanks a lot.

Ranb

 

[oneounceload]

The 50 BMG is a military round and is generally not allowed in most countries by non-military personnel. You'd need two gun bearers for that thing anyway. One of the 416's or 458's will do the job - larger NE cartridges are also up to the job.

 

[ArmedBear]

When gun owners are working to ban guns, it makes it harder for the rest of us to keep them legal.

How, exactly, does the discussion of why a cartridge is not commonly used for hunting, equate to "working to ban guns"? "Why don't you use .300 Wby Mag for X? Why not .22-250 for Y?" These aren't anti-gun questions, and there are answers that many hunters can give.

When gun owners are stupid and emotional, and attack other gun owners without any reason whatsoever, THAT makes things a bit more difficult for us.

How much hunting have you done with a .50 BMG?

It is counterproductive, anyway, for those of us who care about gun rights to hide behind hunting. 9mm isn't a good hunting round, either.

 

[gunnie]

...".50BMG "AR" uppers have been around for quite some time and I haven't heard of it being a problem."...

thanks, will pass it on.

gunnie

 

[General Geoff]

The 50 BMG is a military round and is generally not allowed in most countries by non-military personnel.

This statement just reminded me that freedom is not dead in this country, not by a long shot.

 

[Ranb]

How, exactly, does the discussion of why a cartridge is not commonly used for hunting, equate to "working to ban guns"?

When that discussion involves the bogus and unfounded claim that it ruins the meat. All ammo can potentially ruin some of the meat, and the 50 bmg can ruin more if shot placement is poor. But claiming as you did does nothing to support our rights at all. I have read the same crap from those who want to ban all guns period.

Ranb

Edited to add; I have not done any hunting with my 50 bmg, I have other more practical rifles to use. But the fact remains that I can use the 50 bmg standard loads or load them to anything less down to about 1000 fps, making it less powerful than a 308. By implying that any certain firearm is unsuitable for hunting (which some gun control freaks mean as unsuitable for civilian use), you are playing into the hands of those who want another reason to ban them. While I may have been overly harsh in my criticism of you, your remark about wrecking meat was unfounded and helps no one who owns a gun

 

[saturno_v]

There are 50's that can be shot offhand, most being AR's with short barreled uppers.

A single shot 18" barrel rifle weighting 17-18 pounds with basically the same short range (all you need for DG hunting) ballistic performances of a 3 shot 10 lbs dedicated DG hunting rifle??? (a Mark V in 460 Wby Mag for example)

No I do not think so.....

You can shoot it standing maybe couple of times...try lugging it along for couple of hours....

Nobody here is implying to ban a 50 cal rifle (it must be a terrific long range bench toy, I'm sure of that, lots of fun) but, please, do not cover yourself of ridicule trying to suggest even remotely that it can be a practical DG hunting cartridge.....it is not.

 

[gunnie]

many feel the 458WM more than required in africa, doesn't mean they want to completely ban its use.

gunnie