Wanting to try long range

[Litshoot]

I'm looking to buy a 50 and try my Hand at long range. So in a few months I was looking at a anzio takedown or used edm. I just saw a good deal on an early build serbu bf50 that sounds good. Is that a good rifle or a starter and I should just wait to get a good used off this site or an anzio. Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[Grizzdude]

I have the Serbu BFG 50A and love the thing. I had problems at first with it not cycling but found out it was the cheap ass CBC ammo I was feeding it. Any other ammo rocks with no problem. But for my ELR work I like the 338 Lapua over the 50 BMG. For that I have a Savage 110BA, there are nicer rifles out there but this one is a little easier on the wallet.

 

[justwoody1]

How far out are you trying to shoot?

 

[Litshoot]

Without sounding like an idiot as far as I can. There is a 1000 yard range opening soon near me. I've previously shot 22lr at 200yds and 223 matches out to 1000, I ultimately want to take some "accurate" shots past 2000 yards and I know a serbu probably isn't up to that. I want a sub minute gun in the future and know the it will have to be something much more to keep that accuracy past 1500 yards. (Along with a lot of load development)

 

[hollowoutadime]

Make sure you try a 50bmg out if you haven't. I've owned a few (Barrett's and Robar) and they rattle your body quite a bit. Consider a .338 Lapua - great long range round and easy to shoot and reload.

 

[wadebrown]

Check to see if the new range is going to allow 50's as many (or most) private ranges do not allow 50's. To learn the long range game you are far better off starting out with something like a 6.5 x 47 L, creedmore or any of the 6 mm's with more capacity than the Dasher. These calibers are easy to load for so will be assured your loads are accurate you really want to drive all of the uncertainties down before you step to the line. Learning the long range on a KD range is the same thing as saying I want to learn the wind, it does not mater what you shoot if you can't understand the wind.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

You probably don't want to hear this but all things considered 50 cal sucks. Unless you're regularly shooting beyond 2000 yards having one is pointless. The accurate ones are very expensive ($5k+), they're expensive to shoot, and have a lot of recoil.

Your post says you want to try long range but if you've shot 223's out to 1000 yards so I'd say you already have. What will 95% of your shooting entail? If it's usually inside of 1200 yards I'd go with one of the common LR short action rounds that will afford you a lot of shooting like 308, 260, 6.5 creedmoor, 243, etc. To get the most out of all of those to 1200 yards loading is a must, factory 175's and such aren't going to cut it for consistent performance.

You'll likely want to end up with two rifles if you are serious about shooting at 2000 yards and beyond but if you don't already I would wait until you have a place to regularly do it before you throw down the coin to buy and feed a rifle for that. When it comes to that I'd recommend a 300 running 230 Bergers or a 338 running 300's over a 50.

 

[Archangel01]

I had what i considered the most accurate budget 50BMG that was the Armalite AR50. it held .7moa with the 750gn A-MAX. The key word is HAD. it was fun while it lasted but really the 50bmg is a novelty gun in my opinion. A 36lb rifle that is expensive to shoot, any way you cut it. reloading is expensive factory ammo is expensive. A lot of ranges don't like them, not to mention the other people around you shooting will hate you with every pull of the trigger. My long range rig now is a 300wm great capabilities. If i was going to do anything extreme long range i would go right past a 50BMG and look into a 375 CT. It will out you shooting past the 50 and for less money.

 

[kmose73]

Do or do not, there is no try

 

[Litshoot]

Mostly I believe the reason for a 50 is a toy. I've played or competed at various different styles of shooting from small bore 50ft to 200 yards, 100 bench rest, high power service rifle matches, long range peep sights with ar at space gun, I've dabbled in reloading and load development, extended long range sounds like a fun path to take. I have a rem700 bld with the heavy barrel in 308 I've thought of getting tuned, I've got 223, 22-250, 243, 270, 308,30-06. I know some of those can be very accurate to a good distance but the mile marker is something I want to hit and the sooner the better. On a side note does anyone know of a place to shoot in Florida that can give that or further.

 

[HodgdonExtreme]

Spend some time reading through the ELR forum here, and see what rifles, optics and equipment the guys are using for that discipline.

...if it were only so easy as to buy a nice $5-10k rifle and let it rip...

Anyone can take some pot shots at 2k+ with a 300wm+ caliber rifle, but you'll end up spending $25k+(+++) on gear and equipment to get to the point where you've got even a reasonably fair chance of scoring good hits at ELR (and seeing those hits with some degree of convenience).

Having dabbled at it a little myself with a 338, my opinion is it's a whole lot of money and time for a lot of "No Call! Try again!!" calls from the spotter. Personally (and this is obviously only my opinion) I think it's a lot more amusing to shoot the standard 243 and 260 type rifles out to 1200 yards in some gusty conditions.

If you want to play at 2k+ yards with a 50, nothing wrong with that provided you've got a good place to do it that allows the 50. Just don't underestimate the gear, time and money commitment successful ELR shooting requires.

Good Shooting.

 

[Litshoot]

I succumbed to the market and reason I'm getting a savage 110 fcp in 338 lapua, a great deal on a friends nf that I stumbled Crossa and an atlas bipod. Hopefully I can get it all together and hit a range soon.

 

[ridein4life]

I'd take a .338 any day over a 50

 

[sib1948]

You made the right choice and should be very happy. 50 cals are not practical and have crappy, very heavy triggers IMHO.