50 BMG

[Deputyhiro]

Give me some warning, so I don't use your vehicle for a reactionary target.

Give me some warning so I can get the hell out of there!

[Stugotz]

Here's a question for the 50 owners... Oldmanfcsa. Go 30, or 36" barrel? Im thinking 30 is plenty for my needs. Hell, I really have no needs, just wants. If I went 30", and really got into it, would I be kicking myself for not going with the 36? What am I loosing in the 6 inches?

You need at least 29" to get maximum velocity with military ammunition. A 36" barrel accommodates more powder types, including 20mm powders, which need a minimum of 34". For competitive shooting a 36" barrel is recommended. On the average you will lose approx. 150 feet per second at the muzzle using a 30" bbl VS a 36".

This may shed a little light on the subject for you: http://www.riflebarrels.com/articles/50calibre/lengths_velocity_50_bmg.htm

[Bearcatrp]

I just got home (13 hour drive) from the FCSA Match in Alliance, Nebraska.
1st Place in Heavy Class Group
2nd Place in Unlimited Class Score
3rd Place in Unlimited Class Group
I used my AR-50 to compete, but it has been modified for my needs.
As a stock rifle it is very good.

Congrats on your wins. Regret not going. Will have to go next time.

[MaryB]

I so want one someday but i think 338 lapua will be more practical and a little cheaper to shoot.

[OldmanFCSA]

Here's a question for the 50 owners... Oldmanfcsa. Go 30, or 36" barrel? Im thinking 30 is plenty for my needs. Hell, I really have no needs, just wants. If I went 30", and really got into it, would I be kicking myself for not going with the 36? What am I loosing in the 6 inches?

30" (stock AR50's are 29.5") makes for a good well balanced rifle. Adding the extra 6" makes it front heavy, especially if left as a bull barrel like mine. Choice of bullet will drive length of barrel more than loss of velocity. Example, Hornady 750 Amax does not like velocities over 2700 fps, even though easily attainable. A load of 218 grains of H50BMG will get you 2650 out of a stock AR barrel.
I use the slowest available canon powder to control pressure needed to drive 815 grain solid brass boreriders to a velocity near 2900 fps, this requires a barrel length of 34" minimum. My purchased barrel blanks were 35.5" long and finished a little over 34" after removing start and stop areas of rifling button, these areas are of imperfect rifling.
If I were to use this loading in a shorter barrel rifle and shoot at night, welding glasses would be desired! NIGHT SHOOTS ARE FUN AND BRIGHT.

[Rodentman]

815g @2900fps

I'm gonna have to think about that for awhile.

My congratulations on your success!

[OldmanFCSA]

The blast shield is highly recommended to control the recoil & blast effect.