I am looking at 50 bmg options for a future build but I’m kind of confused on barrel length. I’m looking at an 18 inch barrel vs. a 29 inch, and while I initially focused on the 29 I ran across a chart that showed only about a 300 foot per second difference in muzzle velocity between 18 and 29 inches, is that correct? If so how much of a difference does that 300 feet per second make? Is it worth it to use the 18 for the weight savings and transportation?
50 bmg barrel length question
- Thread starter Small_Arms_Collector
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“Is it worth is” is entirely up to you. 300 fps is a lot. But these targets aren’t shooting back, atleast mine haven’t yet. Hell my prs rifles are all 28” plus a can on the end. Never had a single issue on a prop, or transporting.
The barrel I’ll be getting done for my ax ELR is 38”..
The barrel I’ll be getting done for my ax ELR is 38”..
If you are shooting it "for fun" primarily at targets 1200 and less, and are shooting it suppressed with the Ultra50, the 18" barrel is more manageable and "fun". Otherwise a stock-like barrel length of 26-28" with a brake seems about right. I would not choose to shoot a 18" with only a muzzle brake. For dedicated/purpose ELR, longer barrel is better obviously.
I had the 29 inch barrel on my Barrett 99, and it was more than capable for what I ever did with it. Granted that wasn’t much. It still had a rough grumble to it with the brake, so anything shorter would probably be almost uncomfortable after a while
Id give it a nice long barrel. Rifle optic ammo bipod etc is going to be a chonk no matter what lol.
18inch braked muzzle blast on 220g of powder suuucks. I really dislike it and would end up having that rifle as a safe queen probably. Velocity loss will vary based on your powder and projectile choice. Loss of 300fps is noticeable way out there for sure.
I guess it depends on what you want to do with it. I dont think ive ever wanted a shorter barrel on any 50 cal ive ever shot.... then again im not trying to fit it into a subaru impreza or something.
Any shooting i do with 50 is at long range, from a relatively nice shooting position... no 3 gun antics. The longer barrel tames the blast down ( big one for me), adds speed and downrange energy. Win win from a typical 50 cal shooting scenario.
18inch braked muzzle blast on 220g of powder suuucks. I really dislike it and would end up having that rifle as a safe queen probably. Velocity loss will vary based on your powder and projectile choice. Loss of 300fps is noticeable way out there for sure.
I guess it depends on what you want to do with it. I dont think ive ever wanted a shorter barrel on any 50 cal ive ever shot.... then again im not trying to fit it into a subaru impreza or something.
Any shooting i do with 50 is at long range, from a relatively nice shooting position... no 3 gun antics. The longer barrel tames the blast down ( big one for me), adds speed and downrange energy. Win win from a typical 50 cal shooting scenario.
Besides velocity loss with shorter barrel, noise also increases. How much are you willing to accept.
No experience with 50 BMG but I had a short barrel 308 that others on the range thought was a magnum because of the muzzle blast. Just putting it out there since no one else has mentioned it.
No experience with 50 BMG but I had a short barrel 308 that others on the range thought was a magnum because of the muzzle blast. Just putting it out there since no one else has mentioned it.
1. Determine your use case distance.
2. Plug ballpark velocity numbers into a ballistic calc.
3. Compare the drop/wind calls at your use case distance
18" vs 29" have wildly different use cases in my mind so the results should be obvious.
2. Plug ballpark velocity numbers into a ballistic calc.
3. Compare the drop/wind calls at your use case distance
18" vs 29" have wildly different use cases in my mind so the results should be obvious.
18 or 29"?
It would be much better to buy and feed 3 or 4 other rifles for the appetite that thing has.
They're impressive.
They're fun.
Ten rounds later the shine wears off. Now you have a high dollar safe queen.
It would be much better to buy and feed 3 or 4 other rifles for the appetite that thing has.
They're impressive.
They're fun.
Ten rounds later the shine wears off. Now you have a high dollar safe queen.
Aren’t you the guy looking for budget spotters and LRF from BCA? Dude you do not need a .50. Stop looking at it as it will cost you more for 20 rounds just to shoot it than it would for a BCA spotter. They seem cool but aren’t at all. Pass on it.
Not looking to do it for quite awhile, I was just looking at the numbers and thought it was interesting that 18-29 only nets 300 feet per second so I asked. But I was also only looking at one of those bolt on AR uppers, not a purpose built rifle, pre tax, shipping, and transfer it’s only $2,000, practically free by .50 standards. But like I said, this is 1-2 years away, minimum, lots of saving before I can even consider it.
Dude you won’t be able to feed it. Go look at .50 ammo cost. And why do you want one? Do you have 2000+ yards to shoot on regularly? You would be better off with a more standard short action you can feed and learn to shoot long range with.
Absolute nonsense
Dudes round here regularly spend as much as a 650 ball round (3.55per round currently) on their regular guns I’d bet. Using alpha or Peterson brass that is over a buck a piece with some high dollar Berger bullets, match powder and primers
Dude doesn’t have the money and he is thinking he is buying into some super cool round which it’s not. Fuck it let him learn that lesson himself. His time and money to waste. lol
50 is not the greatest LR round so I look at it as barrier penetration. Pure muzzle energy for punching fuck you holes in things. Think stopping a SUV or Truck. Shorter barrel makes it much more manageable and easier to come to bear on moving targets.
If you want to shoot elr, go with something other than the 50. If you want to fuck shit up, that's what the 50 is for.
Short barrel m82 with a can would be a riot.
If you want to shoot elr, go with something other than the 50. If you want to fuck shit up, that's what the 50 is for.
Short barrel m82 with a can would be a riot.
Not cool to you, guess he better not put a fixed 10 scope on it either.
Plenty of people think the 50 is cool. Not like he’s spending your money homey.
Window shopping is always fun. At least this dude didn’t come in here looking for justification or approval on something he already bought.
One thing I might agree with you on.
I gotta go throw up now that I said that
lol yeah no pussies running this site like AR15. You are right and he can learn his own lessons and pay for them himself. Not even sure why I chime in to try and help new guys from making mistakes with my 38 years of experience. Just going to let them do it from now on and learn hard lessons. As you said it’s not my time or money.
So OP go buy that .50!
I don’t know, 50 is the best eva, mine is a hoot at 4k yards while on the move
Yeah that is the way to go! OP listen to this man! If it ain’t belted it ain’t shit!
I would truly love to have one of those and would in a second should I ever win the powerball. Same goes for an M134D, and only slightly less ridiculously expensive. Perhaps one day should we get rid of the NFA the prices will crash back down to Earth.
If I start saving now perhaps my Great Grandchildren could afford to buy one before they retire.
Ya 50 cal accuracy wise with a short barrel 30" and less and factory ammo probably isn't going to be the greatest.
I'm going to load CEB in this one i have coming, and we will see. That is, until the Cheytac bolt is released. Then the 50 will probably be shelved until buddies come over and just wanna shoot a 50...but i would imagine with good brass and bullets you can get a 50 to run right up there with the 416s and 375s...
I'm going to load CEB in this one i have coming, and we will see. That is, until the Cheytac bolt is released. Then the 50 will probably be shelved until buddies come over and just wanna shoot a 50...but i would imagine with good brass and bullets you can get a 50 to run right up there with the 416s and 375s...
In all seriousness I hear you. I don’t know how old you are but I’ve been buyin and tradin guns for 25 years or so, add a new purchase here, combine two or three to trade into one there, always increasing value. A semi m2 nowadays is in the 16k range, I traded 4 guns for this one, 3x 3,500 guns, and one 4,500 dollar gun. In cash that’s a lot of money, in trade fodder accumulated over time, not that bad, food for thought
