Anybody got a Barrett 50 BMG?

[madmikeb]

I'm seriously thinking about buying a Barrett M99 .50 BMG. I've been wanting one for a couple years, just found a pretty good deal, and am curious if any of you folks have one and what you think of it. I'm moving to Arizona in a couple years and I want a long range rifle and this seems to be the thing! Being a dyed-in-the-wool handgunner, I don't know much about these rifles. I've been looking over the internet the last couple days and can't find much in the way of no nonsense info. I can't really find comparisons with the .338 Lapua and other cartridges, I just figure that the .50 BMG is the biggest and baddest!
Opinions anyone?

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, I don't own one, but I did shoot one once. Recoil and muzzle blast both were quite impressive--the blast from the muzzle brake blew everything, including a full 1-quart canteen, off the shooting bench.

Neat gun, but not the thing for a novice IMHO.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[scooter123]

IMO it's a gun you'll shoot perhaps just 5 or 10 times. The ammo is very expensive, it's loud, and the recoil is said to be quite an experience. In addition you'll find that it's been banned from most shooting ranges, so finding a range you can shoot with it at will present a challenge. IMO a 338 Lapua is a much saner and more reasonable choice.

However, it's your money and if you find that it's not a good fit, you'll probably be able to resell at a price near what you paid for it. It's also without a doubt the biggest and baddest rifle you can put to your shoulder in this country.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

The Barrett is made in the county that I live in. I have not shot one but have seen others shoot them. As others have said the guns are expensive to buy and shoot. I have heard ammo is $5 or $6 a round. This gun is not for me but maybe you will want one. That is what makes the world go around. Don

 

[SWMod10]

It's big, heavy and expensive to shoot. It does induce a grin when you touch off a round, but for me it was just something to try, not to own.

Get a 300Winmag, 7mmRM, or a .338.

Cheaper to shoot and the guns are lighter.

 

[m1gunner]

Why not just step up to a grown up 50bmg? Look at the SSK 14.5 (.585")

They also have reduced 50s.

 

[Wyo]

I don't have a Barrett but I do have a 50 BMG from Bluegrass Armory that is very similar to the Barrett - some argue it's a better rifle. Check out their website: Bluegrass Armory. Anyway, I've shot big rifles for years, but stepping up to the 50 was like stepping into a whole 'nother world! That is one impressive round! I got mine last summer and have shot it out to 1200 yds. - will go further when I can. Best group so far has been 2 3/8" at 600 yds. It isn't for everyone, but if you want something that compares to no other and are willing to pay for it, I say go for it. I've had more fun with mine than any I can remember in a long time.

 

[Steave]

I don't have a .50 BMG rifle, for whatever reason they've just never turned my crank, I suppose I should get one at some point in time just have one. Presently, the only .50 BMG I have is the *real* .50, the M2 Browning Machine Gun, and I haven't even shot that in a couple of years.

If you are seriously considering a .50 rifle, you might want to take a look at the Serbu BFG-50, Serbu Firearms From my understanding they are excellent rifles at a very attractive price. That said, there are folks that know a lot more about these things than I do and I would defer to their knowledge and expertise, but it's probably worth checking out.

Best of luck and have fun!

 

[Pop's2]

or 20mm bolt action magazine feed

MAG-FED 20MM RIFLE - Anzio Ironworks

 

[Nygma]

Mine gets used very rarely. None of the ranges near my house will allow a big 50. A day at the range will usually cost upwards of $200, and handloading doesn't appreciably reduce the ammo cost.
That said it's still great fun. Bring one to the range and all your buddies will show up with all their buddies too. Mine is pretty much a safe queen now. I keep it mainly because my sons may not be able to buy one when they are my age.

 

[pilgrim6a]

The story goes like this: Terry wants to shoot his new .50 BMG rifle. So he and Eddie drag it out to the boonies. Terry doesn't want to get down in the mud to shoot this thing, so he lays it across the hood of his truck.He touches it off, and the muzzle blast blows in the windshield.
"My God Terry",says Eddie,"you broke your widershield"
"Ah",says Terry,"they make'em every day in Detriot. Hand me another round will ya."
Great story, and it's true.

 

[Beaver]

Do it.

Go for it. If you want it, buy the gun and shoot till your hair falls out. If for no other reason than to REALLY urinate the anti's. I got to shot one once, and I wouldn't mind having one. But, I'm addicted to Smith's, not 50's. You'll never live twice, buy the gun.

 

[george minze]

Go for it. collar bones are fragile. Broken collar bones are painful but easily fixed. I hear the new ones have some buffering built into the stocks. I am a ONE shot experienced .50 cal. shooter....

 

[ldausmc1369]

50 Barrett

Guy was shooting on the line at Knob Creek on Friday. Seemed to be a lot of felt recoil and was louder than He**! Could hear it over and above the Ma Deuce's and other assorted MGs. I stood at least 15 - 20 ft behind him at the fence when he touched off a round and the muzzle blast was uncomfortable at that distance. Having said all of this, I'd like to shoot one a couple times that someone else owns just to satisfy my curiosity. 50
BMG rounds were going for about $1.50 - $2.00 per each at the gun show.

 

[buckeyeshooter1]

I don't have a .50 BMG rifle, for whatever reason they've just never turned my crank, I suppose I should get one at some point in time just have one. Presently, the only .50 BMG I have is the *real* .50, the M2 Browning Machine Gun, and I haven't even shot that in a couple of years.

If you are seriously considering a .50 rifle, you might want to take a look at the Serbu BFG-50, Serbu Firearms From my understanding they are excellent rifles at a very attractive price. That said, there are folks that know a lot more about these things than I do and I would defer to their knowledge and expertise, but it's probably worth checking out.

Best of luck and have fun!

Big difference between a single shot and a semiauto Barrett. Not looking at apples to apples there.

 

[Bat Guano]

I've shot the single shot bolt variety at the annual machine gun shoot in Casper, first time about three years ago. At the time my gun side shoulder shoulder was acting up (and made me get rotator cuff surgery a few months later). My daughter shot one of the rental .50s three shots and the muzzle blast and apparent recoil were horrendous. I asked her how it was, and she said it was about like her .243. When I realized that she wasn't putting me on I tried it and found out that was the case. My wife also tried it and liked the fireworks.

This year I went for Ma Deuce to give my shoulder a bit more time to heal, but the ladies went right for the .50 BMG rifles again.

I really wouldn't mind having one, and I have places to shoot it, but it's a pricey business and once a year scratches my itch pretty well. But there are days when I wonder if I need one to have a happy childhood.

If you can find one to play with you probably would like it. And thereafter if you can't live without it, I'd go for it. A good used pickup will cost you more and be a lot less fun.

 

[Steave]

Big difference between a single shot and a semiauto Barrett. Not looking at apples to apples there.

Nope, we're apples to apples, the M99 *IS* a single shot as well. You're thinking of the M82A1, which is a semi-auto.

 

[R. G. Amos]

I have a Barrett M82A1 with a Barrett installed Leupold scope. Ammo is about 5$/round. Since one tends not to shoot one of these all day, the total ammo cost for a single outing is not outrageous.

Finding a place to shoot is a problem. If you shoot one on private land, be aware of the potential liabilities associated with such.

The actual mechanical recoil is not really all that bad - to me somewhat like a non-magnum 12 gauge. The problem is the blow back through the compensator and the noise. This thing can actually give the shooter a headache.

Another problem for me is the weight and physical size of the rifle. It is a real pain to lug around.

I am glad I bought it but will probably never shoot it again.

 

[Wyo]

The actual mechanical recoil is not really all that bad - to me somewhat like a non-magnum 12 gauge. The problem is the blow back through the compensator and the noise. This thing can actually give the shooter a headache.

Another problem for me is the weight and physical size of the rifle. It is a real pain to lug around.

What he said. Even on a bolt gun recoil isn't that bad. I would agree it's about like a 12 ga. shotgun on mine. Noise and concussion are another matter, and I always use both ear plugs and muffs. Concussion isn't bad if you're behind the gun but it feels like you've been slapped in the face if you're alongside it when it goes off. Mine weighs about 27 lbs. with a 29 inch barrel, so it's considerably lighter than the Barrett - still a bit of a pain to lug around. And I would also agree that the toughest thing about owning one of these monsters is finding a place to shoot it. I'm lucky as there is plenty of open space in my area, but that sure isn't true everywhere. I shoot mine about once a month and sometimes more during the summer. Nothin' like it!

 

[jkc]

A friend has owned several .50BMG bolt and single shot rifles, I've helped him on a couple hunts when he set up a stout shooting table to support the gun in a spot where we could observe/command vast swaths of country with powerful optics and rangefinders. Lazy man's hunting method (at least, until you kill something across three chaparral infested ridges and canyons...). I've fired some of these rifles in the field and at the range --- recoil isn't intolerable off the bench (the gun's are heavy, about 30 lbs., and they all have howitzer style muzzle brakes). (They are also fearsomely LOUD!) The guns are not very portable --- if you can't transport them with a vehicle, pack animal, or porter, forget it. Accurate ammunition is about $5.00 or more a round. Accouterments such as optics, mounts &tc. are similarly very pricey.

It's quite satisfying to smack a big, heavy projectile into a far away target, after a long time of flight... All that said, my friend just recruited my help in acquiring an Armalite AR30 in .338 Lapua, a rig which weighs in at about half that of most .50s, and has much of the same capabilities. I'd take a hard look at the .338 Lapua before committing to the .50BMG