My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG!

billt · Post by **billt** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:12 am

I picked it up last week Friday. I love the quality of this rifle. The bolt rides on roller bearings, and is smooth as silk! I'm still debating scope choices, and am most likely going to go with a S.S. 20X. They have glass etched reticles which is a must for .50 BMG shooting. Bill T.

Post by **Bullseye** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 5:50 am

That's a nice looking .50 rifle, someone likes the long line. What does it weigh? Even with that muzzle break that one looks like it's going to rattle some fillings when it goes off.

It's good to see someone's stimulating the economy.

R,
Bullseye

billt · Post by **billt** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:17 am

As it sits it weighs a tad over 30 pounds. After I get it scoped and ready to go probably right around 36+. A full magazine alone weighs 4 pounds! Bill T.

blue68f100 · Post by **blue68f100** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 3:11 pm

And to days ammo cost ~$20/round? Reloads less?

I could afford about 1 round a month at those prices....

billt · Post by **billt** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 5:27 pm

blue68f100 wrote:And to days ammo cost ~$20/round? Reloads less?

I could afford about 1 round a month at those prices....

Not even close. I just purchased a 10 round box of Federal XM-33 Ball in .50 BMG for $44.00. That's $4.40 a round. If you shop on line you can buy in bulk for as little as $3.10 a round. That's cheaper than a few of my Weatherby Magnums, and way cheaper than my .416 Rigby. Especially when you consider how much brass, lead, and powder is contained in one round of .50 BMG. This place has really good prices on .50 BMG ammunition. Bill T.

http://www.50bmgsupply.com/ammo.shtml

Bud33 · Post by **Bud33** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:16 pm

I have to ask...
What do you intend to do with that rifle????
It appears to be a beautiful piece of machinery and I am sure and self respecting sniper would love to have it.

Hakaman · Post by **Hakaman** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:55 pm

I have to ask...
What do you intend to do with that rifle????

I 2nd that question. Although, I do get quite a rush when I shoot my .357, magnum style.
H

billt · Post by **billt** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:10 pm

It is the same as any other rifle. Just capable at much longer ranges. It is simply the biggest caliber allowed without a Destructive License by the ATF. These guns are accurate, fun, and not all that expensive to shoot with much of the surplus ammunition that is out there. They can be handloaded accurately as well. Nothing more than a .30-06 on steroids. In fact John Browning used the .30-06 as a model when he designed the .50 BMG cartridge. Bill T.

blue68f100 · Post by **blue68f100** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:10 pm

billt wrote:
blue68f100 wrote:And to days ammo cost ~$20/round? Reloads less?

I could afford about 1 round a month at those prices....
Not even close. I just purchased a 10 round box of Federal XM-33 Ball in .50 BMG for $44.00. That's $4.40 a round. If you shop on line you can buy in bulk for as little as $3.10 a round. That's cheaper than a few of my Weatherby Magnums, and way cheaper than my .416 Rigby. Especially when you consider how much brass, lead, and powder is contained in one round of .50 BMG. This place has really good prices on .50 BMG ammunition. Bill T.

http://www.50bmgsupply.com/ammo.shtml

That's a lot cheaper than I thought it would be.

I hope you have a range near by where you can shoot over 500yrds with it to make it challenging.

billt · Post by **billt** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:33 pm

This is what I plan to go with on my .50 BMG Gentleman. It's been ordered, and is on the way from Brownell's and Midway.

Smith Enterprises Rings. (Wire EDM Cut 4130 steel.)

Smith Enterprises Delrin Reducer Rings, (30 MM To 1")

Smith Enteprises Base, (Also wire cut 4130 steel).

Bushnell 3200 Elite Tactical 5-15X 40MM

Post by **Bullseye** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 6:59 am

That's going to be nice when you get it all done. I used to tell folks, "Five bucks, five bucks, five bucks," that was what I said after each shot downrange with the 50BMG.

R,
Bullseye

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 8:29 am

Bullseye wrote:That's going to be nice when you get it all done. I used to tell folks, "Five bucks, five bucks, five bucks," that was what I said after each shot downrange with the 50BMG.

R,
Bullseye

Can you say five bucks, fivebucks, five bucks as fast as Ma Deuce?????

billt · Post by **billt** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 8:59 am

The rings and base were more than the scope. The main thing when scoping a fifty is rigidity. I figure the stronger you make everything in the mounting set up, the less things will flex. That's what really damages scopes on .50's. With these rings I have the option to go to a 30 MM scope by just removing the inserts. The fact Bushmaster mills the top rail right into the receiver also helps a lot in keeping everything nice and stiff. Bill T.

billt · Post by **billt** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 10:31 am

Here she is with everything mounted up. As soon as the Rosin comes I'll pull the ring caps and apply it, and she'll be ready for the range! Bill T.

Post by **Bullseye** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 3:53 pm

It won't be long till that puppy is barking!

Looks good!

R,
Bullseye