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Old November 17, 2015, 11:17 AM   #1
HALL,AUSTIN
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So... 50 on a budget??

I've wanted a 50BMG for a long time. Im thinking about a spartan single shot bolt action, but that leaves the question of glass. I'm usually a huge for of buy once, cry once but I'd like to stay on the cheaper side for this one. Are there any cheaper scopes that will withstand the 50's recoil? I say cheaper but i understand it'll be atleast a few hundred dollars. Please advise.
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Old November 17, 2015, 12:01 PM   #2
wpsdlrg
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50 BMG. Budget. Hilarious.

No offense - but you need to think this one through. Once you have the rifle and scope, etc.......the ammo will cost you anywhere between $3 and $10 PER ROUND, even if you hand load it. Perhaps more.

Will your budget allow for that ?
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Old November 17, 2015, 12:10 PM   #3
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A friend of mine "Wanted" one as well so he spent $$3500 on a AR type converted rifle and shot it a few times then sold it at a pretty good loose. He could afford the gun and ammo but found it not all that fun to shoot (Not a Barett) and even too expensive for his blood.

Funny I told him that this would likely be the outcome before he bought it.

Wpsdlrg is correct. Not such thing as 50BMG on a budget anymore.
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Old November 17, 2015, 12:16 PM   #4
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Bushnell Elite fixed 10X
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Old November 17, 2015, 12:26 PM   #5
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Supersniper.
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Old November 17, 2015, 02:41 PM   #6
HALL,AUSTIN
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Ammo is $2-5 where I'm looking. Which yes is within budget. Ill only shoot it once a month or so, seeing as id have a good drive to go use it, about 2 hours one way.

Last edited by HALL,AUSTIN; November 17, 2015 at 03:00 PM.
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Old November 17, 2015, 03:00 PM   #7
Vt.birdhunter
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Any Burris, life time guarantee.

Consider a Ferret .50 upper from Spyder, mine is silly accurate with WWII surplus. Even tighter with match.
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Old November 17, 2015, 09:50 PM   #8
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SWFA fixed 10x will work on a .50. I'm with the others saying not to buy it though, just for the record.
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Old November 17, 2015, 10:48 PM   #9
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I wanted a 50 cal but then I also want to get a new car so I went with a CVA Optima. Now I can still afford to eat.

As for the Ammo i've only seen it in single packages at Cabelas for $10 a round.
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Old November 18, 2015, 08:09 PM   #10
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I've been very satisfied with my Millett LRS-1 scope on my fifty. It is not a petite scope, though.
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Old November 18, 2015, 08:17 PM   #11
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I wanted a 50 cal but then I also want to get a new car so I went with a CVA Optima. Now I can still afford to eat.

As for the Ammo i've only seen it in single packages at Cabelas for $10 a round.
I don't know what cabellas you go to, but the one here has American Eagle 50BMG, 10 rounds for $40.
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Old November 19, 2015, 02:51 AM   #12
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The Cabela's in Richfield Wisconsin. I was going to buy one just to have the shell and quickly put it back down. It was in a single white box.
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Old November 19, 2015, 04:28 AM   #13
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I agree with the Bushnell Elite 10x fixed. it is said to be the most popular entry level 50BMG scope.

lots of cheap 50BMG uppers now. some very simple
read:
http://demigodllc.com/articles/battl...50-bmg-rifles/
http://surv1vor.tripod.com/watson2.html
http://www.safetyharborfirearms.com/...version-detail ---cheap

the Serbu has good reviews from several major rags
http://serbu.com/bfg50.html


if I was going with Zel Customs, I thnk I would chose the Tacilite in the Lapua. But regardless, Zel may be the best of the 50 uppers excluding Ferret which is more than double the cost. but in the end your probably going to be into this this for close to $3000 in the end. Have you considered going with one of Armalite's offering. great triggers, softer recoiling, and of course, actually MADE for a 50BMG. Nothing against your choice, Ive considered it myself. But check these out while deciding. lots of options now, and used barrets go for a decent price, since it seems lots of people think they want .50's and sell them shortly after
http://www.armslist.com/posts/449413...just--2-920-cp
http://www.getlockednloaded.com/arml...al-31-blk-blk/
http://www.centerfireguns.com/armali...urce=slickguns this one would be great
https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/com....html?Itemid=0
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Old November 19, 2015, 05:43 AM   #14
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I have 2 50BMG in my collection. A Shorty and a Iver Johnson/AMAC type 39lbs and 29"bbl. Scope cost me near as much as the rifle if you want them to hold up. I have an EOTech 552 for my GeoAZ shorty. A 18"bbl, titanium comp, and only 27 pounds. they are fun to set off. Cheap optics only last a few rounds. Sorry about the bic PIC but you can see them well.

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Old November 19, 2015, 08:38 AM   #15
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Well at least .50 BMG is still far cheaper than .338 Lapua to shoot. Pull down components are pretty readily found and Lee makes an affordable reloading kit for the .50 BMG. As someone else suggested I'd look at the SWFA Super Sniper scopes as a good place to start for optics.
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Old November 19, 2015, 10:06 AM   #16
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I always wanted one too. I built mine using Maddi Griffin plans, the most expensive part was the $350 Lothar Walther chambered barrel blank.

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Old November 19, 2015, 06:02 PM   #17
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^^^ that is really really cool. great job!!!
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Old November 19, 2015, 07:56 PM   #18
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I went with State Arms which also uses a Lothar Walther 36" match barrel.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_0069.JPG (188.3 KB, 25 views)

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Old November 19, 2015, 09:06 PM   #19
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^^^ that is really really cool. great job

Only good use I have found for it so far has been putting holes in 1" plate steel.





It is also the most efficient way to turn money into noise that I know of.
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Old November 21, 2015, 12:19 AM   #20
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I'd like one, and I'd like a 7.62 precision rifle, and I'd like a 5.56 carbine and I'd like to retire someday, not depending on anything from the SSA.

So, really expensive toys are not on my list of things to do until I have a solid million in savings earning money. Not quite there yet.

Anything that's over $0.50 a round is not in the program. Right now, .45-70 is my extreme gun.
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Old September 16, 2016, 12:59 PM   #21
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Avoid Valley Ordnance

I'm using an IJK scope on my Valley Ordnance but I'm not sure how much longer I'll keep it. I think the zero is walking a bit but I'll post more later.

Also, make sure you get a limbsaver or something like that to reduce the bruising in your shoulder. Without it, I couldn't shoot more than a dozen rounds before my shoulder was too tender to shoot the Valley Ordnance anymore. The Barrett and McMillan aren't anywhere near as bad (compensators are much more efficient). Could shoot those all day. Also, Valley Ordnance .50BMG will only cycle the top end Hornady rounds. I've tried 6 other types and I only get 20% to cook off (and this is a bolt action! It should go boom every time). Primer strikes are much more shallow than a Desert Tech, McMillan or a Barrett.
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Old September 19, 2016, 12:10 AM   #22
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SWFA sells the Super sniper for about $300 and is the cheapest scope I would use.

I don't know where people are looking for ammo but there are places selling it for $2 each when on sale and about $3 regular. Match ammo sells for $5-$6 each if you look around for it.

As with any expensive ammo, reload it to keep the price down.
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Old September 19, 2016, 09:26 PM   #23
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I've heard of complete Maadi Griffin builds being finished under $500, the barrel blank obviously being the largest sunk cost. Just gotta make up the cost difference in sweat-equity.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/50Cal-BMG-Gu...item25b1139cc1

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Old September 19, 2016, 10:08 PM   #24
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I have a Barrett with a Steiner scope. Lot's of Nightforce's and Leupold.
Most of these scopes are $2-3K.
There are a couple that use a Bushnell scope because of their "No Questions Asked Lifetime Warranty" (Effective January 1, 2016).

If you buy one of their higher end scopes (Like the Elite Tactical) then they reportedly hold up better than many but not like a Steiner, Nightforce or Leupold. But with the warranty, if you can afford some downtime, it might be a deal for you.
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Old September 21, 2016, 07:32 AM   #25
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SWFA sells the Super sniper for about $300 and is the cheapest scope I would use.
^^ This. I'd sure want more than 10x at any range you'd want to be shooting a .50 (something around 1K and beyond). Go with the SS 16x or 20x fixed.

If mirage is likely to be an issue, might go with the 16x.
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