I've been looking through all the 50 bmg options and am down to the desert tech hti and the barrett m82a1. Pros of the desert tech for me are multiple calibers if I wish, more accurate, much more portable and easier to store, better trigger, and lower cost. Intended use is to see what it will do to stuff in the desert with surplus ammo so I really don't need match grade accuracy. I've heard some complaints on the magazines on the hti, anybody have issues with them? I'd hate to spend the money and have feeding problems. The other thing I'm wondering about is recoil on the bolt gun. It's a 50 bmg, obviously it's going to have some recoil. The hti is only 20 lbs compared to 32 lbs of the barrett and there's no action cycling to soak up some recoil. I'm not recoil shy but I don't want to be beat after 3 rounds either. How would you describe the hti recoil, especially those of you who have shot other 50s? So what's everyone's overall experience with the hti? Any regrets or a solid rifle all around?
- Thread starter Mauser48
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Have you shot an M82? If you don't need match grade accuracy, are concerned about recoil, wanting to use mil type ammo, and concerns about reliable feeding then it sounds like the M82 is the obvious choice. Ive never had a malfunction and I load AP, API, Incindiary, and match grade solids. Never a hiccup. The match grade solids are definitely not sub MOA, but with a better shooter behind them I'm pretty confident they are sub 2 MOA. The M82 is an amazing system for its intended purpose. Id never part with mine. For accuracy/interchangeable calibers the MRAD is an amazing system especiallygiven the folding stock and return to zero. Ive got one coming.
I haven't shot either, but...
I imagine Barrett is much more pleasant to shoot. Between the weight and the bore being much further from your face, it's not going to be as jarring.
I've heard that the DTI is very unpleasant to shoot in the larger cartridges, but I'll let others who have experience confirm that. Having the bore (and muzzle brake), that close to your face is going to produce a lot of concussion.
That said, I believe the HTI is a more precise platform. I don't think the M82 is designed to be a very precise rifle.
The DTI may be a sweet rig with that new TBAC suppressor though
If it was me, I would look at a custom, AI or Cadex before those two options.
I imagine Barrett is much more pleasant to shoot. Between the weight and the bore being much further from your face, it's not going to be as jarring.
I've heard that the DTI is very unpleasant to shoot in the larger cartridges, but I'll let others who have experience confirm that. Having the bore (and muzzle brake), that close to your face is going to produce a lot of concussion.
That said, I believe the HTI is a more precise platform. I don't think the M82 is designed to be a very precise rifle.
The DTI may be a sweet rig with that new TBAC suppressor though
If it was me, I would look at a custom, AI or Cadex before those two options.
That was kind of my thoughts on the desert tech. I think the bullpup really starts to show its advantages in a big rifle like that but you still have the disadvantages of a bullpup. The AI looks sweet, just a lot of money.
@wooferocau you help the OP out?
The HTI platform is an awesome piece of gear..
I have both 375CT and 50bmg conversions for mine.
The HTI with the factory 50Bmg barrel is a genuine 3/8 moa rifle !!! if your after accuracy then it really does perform . Recoil with the factory brake is not to bad...no way near some of the BS posted on the good old internet.
The bullpup design actually helps mitigate a lot of the recoil. I replaced the factory brake with the Terminator T^ and it was a huge reduction in recoil.
The T6 also does a great job of diverting the muzzle blast from the shooter.
I have had many shooters who have never shot a 50bmg try my HTI and all have been very surprised just haw manageable it is...and all were quite shocked just how accurate it is!!!
I have both 375CT and 50bmg conversions for mine.
The HTI with the factory 50Bmg barrel is a genuine 3/8 moa rifle !!! if your after accuracy then it really does perform . Recoil with the factory brake is not to bad...no way near some of the BS posted on the good old internet.
The bullpup design actually helps mitigate a lot of the recoil. I replaced the factory brake with the Terminator T^ and it was a huge reduction in recoil.
The T6 also does a great job of diverting the muzzle blast from the shooter.
I have had many shooters who have never shot a 50bmg try my HTI and all have been very surprised just haw manageable it is...and all were quite shocked just how accurate it is!!!
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Some random pics...a friend with his HTI who shoots factory Amax...and a friend who had never fired anything other than a 22rf...shooting the DT 50bmg..
Oh.....and the T6 Brake..
Oh.....and the T6 Brake..
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Thanks for the input! That gives me a lot more confidence in the platform. It really does have a lot of advantages over a barrett. How would you compare the recoil of the hti with stock brake to say a remington 870 with a slug?
Stock brake on the 50 HTI is no worse than 12guage 3" Magnum.....
Muzzle blast obviously far greater though.....still.....nothing like 90% of the exaggerated BS on the net!!
Muzzle blast obviously far greater though.....still.....nothing like 90% of the exaggerated BS on the net!!
That's about what I was expecting. That's totally manageable. I like how with the desert tech you get a 50 bmg but it's not an absolute behemoth of a rifle. I need to find an hti or at least an srs locally so I can get a feel. The bullpup features seem less awkward when they're scaled up to this.
I have had many shooters who backed at the idea of the bull pup......only to handle and shoot the DT to fall in love with it.
My old AWSM 338 is like getting around with a 6ft crowbar in hand!!!
The SRS feels tiny compared to it....nit to mention the DT destroys the AI in the accuracy department!
My mate who used to run a TRG42 338 used the SRS once....2 days latter put his TRG up for sale and purchased both an SRS and HTI..
Try one and make your own decisions..
My old AWSM 338 is like getting around with a 6ft crowbar in hand!!!
The SRS feels tiny compared to it....nit to mention the DT destroys the AI in the accuracy department!
My mate who used to run a TRG42 338 used the SRS once....2 days latter put his TRG up for sale and purchased both an SRS and HTI..
Try one and make your own decisions..
You can also get exceptional aftermarket barrels for the HTI as well
Just to emphasize just how accurate the HTI is...
I have just removed the IVEY adjustable mount i was using and have re installed a SPUHR 13mil fixed IMS mount. This arvo i re zeroed the HTI.
Note... DT factory 375CT barrel has now just over 1300 rounds through it!! and It still shoots like this!! 2x "3 shot" groups and 1 x "5 shot" group at 110yds..
I have just removed the IVEY adjustable mount i was using and have re installed a SPUHR 13mil fixed IMS mount. This arvo i re zeroed the HTI.
Note... DT factory 375CT barrel has now just over 1300 rounds through it!! and It still shoots like this!! 2x "3 shot" groups and 1 x "5 shot" group at 110yds..
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How much recoil reduction do you get with that T6 Brake over the factory one?
The desert tech definitely has the advantage if I want to suppress it eventually. That might be cool with the new technology they're developing.
I use the T5 on the 375ct ...and the T6 on the 50bmg...both offer substantial reductions over the factory brakes!!!
I’d take the HTI over those two any day simply because you can swap the calibers so easily.
Recoil in the HTI 50 is stout. It’s also a 20 lb 50, so that’s to be expected. Aftermarket brakes like mentioned above can make a significant difference.
The 375 CT in the HTI is my favorite, especially when combined with the Elite Iron suppressor.
If you end up going the HTI route, shoot me a PM.
I have had the McMillan, the Barrett 82, and now the HTI.
The McMillan was not on your list, but I will say that, despite being accurate, and having the ability to put in an aftermarket trigger, that is where the advantages end. It kicked like a mule and the parts all rattled loose on it continuously.
The 82 is pretty much a gimmick or a party trick. It’s only good for plinking. I couldn’t hit crap with mine at distance at least not enough to meet my expectations. One day about five or six years ago I realized that I only took it out to let others shoot it and check it off their bucket list. So I sold it and I only miss it on pure plinking days inside of 1000 yards.
The HTI is where it’s at. The ability to change calibers and go down to 375 or even 416 is awesome. The length is phenomenal and allows me to run a 41 inch barrel which puts the blast well in front of me and buys me another 200 ft./s. I put an AR50 break on mine, and it is a very tame shooter. My 41” barrel w brake is same length overall as most 29” rigs. (As an aside, the 50 Browning was designed for a 45” barrel like what is on the Ma-Deuce.) finally, the mag feeds fine. Single stack 5 rounds, would be difficult for it to fail. But TBH I never use it.
I do not think the stock HTI with the factory barrel and break is a tame shooter. Indeed, I find it quite unpleasant to shoot. I can handle it, but I do not like it. If it were for a dedicated mission in Ukraine, great: short and light. But 10 rounds and you don’t wanna shoot it anymore. No fun.
So if you get an HTI you need a T6 brake and/or a longer/heavier barrel. With a longer barrel you can run a clamshell brake like AR50 or K&P bc the blast will be farther away. Those brakes are most effective and they direct blast 45-degrees backwards towards shooter.
My 50 barrel is a Lilja and may be the most accurate gun I’ve ever had.
My $0.02
The McMillan was not on your list, but I will say that, despite being accurate, and having the ability to put in an aftermarket trigger, that is where the advantages end. It kicked like a mule and the parts all rattled loose on it continuously.
The 82 is pretty much a gimmick or a party trick. It’s only good for plinking. I couldn’t hit crap with mine at distance at least not enough to meet my expectations. One day about five or six years ago I realized that I only took it out to let others shoot it and check it off their bucket list. So I sold it and I only miss it on pure plinking days inside of 1000 yards.
The HTI is where it’s at. The ability to change calibers and go down to 375 or even 416 is awesome. The length is phenomenal and allows me to run a 41 inch barrel which puts the blast well in front of me and buys me another 200 ft./s. I put an AR50 break on mine, and it is a very tame shooter. My 41” barrel w brake is same length overall as most 29” rigs. (As an aside, the 50 Browning was designed for a 45” barrel like what is on the Ma-Deuce.) finally, the mag feeds fine. Single stack 5 rounds, would be difficult for it to fail. But TBH I never use it.
I do not think the stock HTI with the factory barrel and break is a tame shooter. Indeed, I find it quite unpleasant to shoot. I can handle it, but I do not like it. If it were for a dedicated mission in Ukraine, great: short and light. But 10 rounds and you don’t wanna shoot it anymore. No fun.
So if you get an HTI you need a T6 brake and/or a longer/heavier barrel. With a longer barrel you can run a clamshell brake like AR50 or K&P bc the blast will be farther away. Those brakes are most effective and they direct blast 45-degrees backwards towards shooter.
My 50 barrel is a Lilja and may be the most accurate gun I’ve ever had.
My $0.02
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50 BMG brake
Got an AI AX-ELR in 50 BMG. Recoil is broo-tuhl. Anybody make a better performing brake I could acquire?
www.snipershide.com 
I agree with everybody the HTI 50 BMG is accurate. Its just the magazine is problematic. I sent my mags back to Desert tech last July, its already October so far they are still trying to figure out how to make it reliable. I hope they do it soon. I'm without mags and afraid to purchase another one that might have the same problem.
my 50 BMG mag cycles perfectly with 750 AMAX
Tyler at MKM is working on a single shot sled for the HTI also. He's prototyping with a mag I sent him
Tyler at MKM is working on a single shot sled for the HTI also. He's prototyping with a mag I sent him
I guess you are lucky. I was also using hornady 750 amax. Would load the first two and the third round would stay down, have to detach and bang the base of the mag for the rounds to come up. It'll happen again consistently.
OH. The Mag Dive. I can see that happening. Did you lube the shit out of the magazine insides? And does the mag seat up in the chassis tightly or is there some wiggle?
I have 2 HTI 50BMG Mags...both feed reliably.
When you insert them , push in and tilt back and give it a good thump with your palm to make sure it "Snaps" into the correct position..
When you insert them , push in and tilt back and give it a good thump with your palm to make sure it "Snaps" into the correct position..
Yep fully seated. It just won't go up after firing a round. They are lubed. If I just cycle it it works perfectly but once I fire a round the mag dives. Must be the shock power of 50 bmg rounds
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Nope just the factory muzzle device.
I'm not an expert but changing the muzzle brake would not help. The mags is located way back.
I think the Mags needs more stiffer spring and a good guide railing to insure it won't dive.
I'm not an expert but changing the muzzle brake would not help. The mags is located way back.
I think the Mags needs more stiffer spring and a good guide railing to insure it won't dive.
Lmao, no. Why would i support some weirdo polygamist cult by buying thier mid tier guns? Just buy a barrett, or, if accuracy is your main desire, an accuracy international.
en.m.wikipedia.org
Desert Tech - Wikipedia
What a stupid take. The HTI is a reliable tack driver at half the price of the AI. No question the AI is bad ass and probably king of the mountain, but I'm willing to bet my HTI will shoot equal to or better than most other .50s out there.
To each their own on the religious aspect, and you should do whatever your little heart desires, but to call DT rifles mid-tier is ridiculous.
To each their own on the religious aspect, and you should do whatever your little heart desires, but to call DT rifles mid-tier is ridiculous.
I'd like to see an AI that anybody can shoot better than I can shoot my HTI or Woofercau can shoot his
I have shot the AI....it sucks!!
That’s interesting. I don’t have any experience with the AI .50 and assumed it would be as accurate as the rest of AIs stuff.
My HTI has been pretty damn great with everything I’ve run through it.
Because you can put a 40+ inch barrel on it with either an Armalite or K&P brake and it will still be nearly the same length as the AI you mentioned, and with far less recoil. So you can run 800+ grain bore riders at the speeds listed in various reloading manuals.Lmao, no. Why would i support some weirdo polygamist cult by buying thier mid tier guns? Just buy a barrett, or, if accuracy is your main desire, an accuracy international.
Desert Tech - Wikipedia
What you may get from an AI that you won’t get from an HTI is a rifle that has achieved POR status for multiple different countries.
Damn, how short is that HTI "covert" barrel? Is that in .50bmg?This is my young friends HTI "Covert" 50bmg.. (foreground,)
He spent an afternoon using my DT and fell in love with it.. ..so he then puchsed the above ...
Yep...50bmg 20 inch..
Its surprisingly accurate .
Velocity is obviously doen but its still quite good. there is a HUGE muzzle flash as there is a LOT of unburnt powder exiting the barrel..
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