My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG!

[billt]

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/3931/bushmasterba50001.jpg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/9786/bushmasterba50003.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/8232/bushmasterba50010.jpg

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/2300/bushmasterba50012.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/9886/bushmasterba50004.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/4305/bushmasterba50008.jpg

This is my new Bushmaster .50 BMG Rifle. I just picked it up yesterday after months of struggling with inner demons trying to justify such an expensive purchase. I can't wait to get it out and light it up! I still need to scope it out, and acquire an extensive enough amount of ammo to keep it supplied. So far she is all what they say! Bill T.

[Sidekick]

Cool!!! She be an expensive beast to feed though.

[billt]

Cool!!! She be an expensive beast to feed though.

Actually they aren't too bad. The .50 BMG cartridge is a military round, so that helps keep costs down. For example, factory ammo for my big Weatherby calibers runs over $100.00 a box of twenty. .416 Rigby can run higher than that. I just bought 4 boxes of Federal XM-33, .50 BMG for $44.99 a box of ten. It was really cheaper than that because I had a "$30.00 off" coupon from Cabela's. That works out to about $90.00 per 20, or about $4.50 @ shot. Not cheap by any means, but cheaper than many of the larger African hunting rounds. Especially when you look at how much more copper, brass, and powder is in a .50 BMG round. If you search the Internet you can find .50 BMG ammo for as little as $3.50 a round, but you must buy in quantity.

After I accumulate enough fired brass, I'll start reloading. Lee makes a nice reloading package that includes press, dies, shell holder, and a ram priming tool for under $180.00. About the only other items needed for reloading is a trimmer, and a powder measure. Because of it's size .50 BMG requires larger tooling to reload. You can also buy milsurp components that get the costs down even more. I'm learning a lot from the guys on these .50 forums. If there is a way to cut costs, these guys know about it. It going to be a blast shooting this thing! I can't wait for the cooler weather to set in. Bill T.

[billt]

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.)


http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/4884/smithenterprises50bmgri.jpg

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/1924/delrin30mmto1inchreduce.jpg

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

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/3930/smithenterprisesmount.jpg

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

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/5552/bushnell3200elitetactic.jpg

Bushnell 3200 Elite Tactical 5-15X 40MM

[billt]

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.

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/2531/bushnellmountedonba5000q.jpg

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/4900/bushnellmountedonba5000.jpg

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/4900/bushnellmountedonba5000.jpg

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/4900/bushnellmountedonba5000.jpg

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/7027/bushnellmountedonba5000p.jpg

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/4900/bushnellmountedonba5000.jpg

[billt]

http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/1663/aceextralarge50bmgcase0.jpg

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/1663/aceextralarge50bmgcase0.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/1663/aceextralarge50bmgcase0.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3641/aceextralarge50bmgcase0l.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/1663/aceextralarge50bmgcase0.jpg

These photos give you some idea of the sheer size of the new case I purchased, as well as it's construction. These were taken on my California King Brass Bed. The other case in the photos is a really nice Bucheimer that I use to transport my 30" barreled Browning Citori, and BT-99 Trap Guns in. Overall I'm pleased with it's construction, as well as it's size. Bill T.

[Bill Gunn]

Bill,
If your shooting range faces to the North East, let me know when your gonna let 'er rip, so I have a chance to duck :D :D

That's the Mama of all rifles !! :p

[Bill Gunn]

Bill, while reading the F&S internet site I think I found your next gun.
Not much on long range, but it packs a wallop :p :p

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/hunting/2009/10/chad-love-own-your-own-whale-gun?cmpid=102209

[LampLighter]

BillT

I can think of a good task for that new toy. Know what I mean ? ;)

[Bushman]

Billt, "Going to be a blast shooting this thing" is an understatement! The blast suppressor on the end of that barrel is guaranteed to clear off the benches to the left and right of you! And here I am complaining about a little .300 WM with a boss at the bench next to me. I can't wait for a testimonial. You could probably charge admission for people to watch you shoot that thing.

[Hi Ball]

Bill T. .............Congrats on your new PLAY TOY!!! :eek: :cool: :D :D

I had the misfortune of driving into our shooting range and almost got out of our vehicle when this guy at the bench pull the trigger on his new BMG-50.
My LORD, it rattled the windows on our jeep and I was 40 feet behind the shooter.

Now when the 2nd shot went off, I had already put my ear muffs on thank the LORD again and I saw the dirt fly (like a stick of dynamite when off in the ground) behind the backstop of the rifle range. I had forgotten just how powerful those .50cal rounds were back in the days of the mid 60's.

We don't really have a place to shoot rifles like that around me, got to drive 1.5 hours South for the 300 yd range. However, I know you folks have that desert to shoot guns off in and that is a pluse. A box of ammo going through that rifle and all the rattlesnakes will high tail it for the mountains.:eek:

[billt]

I haven't fired it yet. I'm still getting things ready, as well as accumulating ammo for it, and knowledge of it. At $44.00 a box of 10, you tend to buy a little at a time. I joined the .50 Caliber Shooters Association, and those guys know a lot about this sport. I learned about using powdered Rosin on the inside of your scope rings to keep things from moving. .50's are notorious for scopes moving in the rings. The Rosin stops it cold. Best stuff I've ever used, and a month ago I never heard of it. It is the same as the fine, yellow powder gymnasts use to keep their grip on parallel bars and rings.

http://www.mountsplus.com/miva/merchant.mvc?page=MSP/PROD/all/LLR-SGR-NR1

I had an problem with scope movement in my new Savage .300 Win. Mag. last week. Brought it home, pulled the ring caps, cleaned everything with alcohol, used a model airplane type paint brush to put the Rosin on the inside of the rings. Problem solved! I ran 50 high performance loads through it this morning and that scope ain't going nowhere. Now it's a product I wouldn't do without. Bill T.

[Hi Ball]

Bill-T, now one year I was hunting elk and rang across a couple of guys who set up a portable bench benhind their pickup truck. Then I noticed this giant rifle being set down on the bench. I asked them what was that monster of a rifle! The man replied, "A 50 cal" I nodded my head and asked to take a closer look. It had a humongous muzzle brake on the end of that, what looked like a 30 inch barrel.

Shortly afterward, the 3rd party of their group drove up in his truck. Now some 800 yards in front of them, was a hillside that had been cut of timber some years ago and lots of standing timber above it and on both sides. The guy told me they are waiting for one of those big bulls to walk out, so's they could put a shot on his carcass. I didn't stick around for the action but I know if they ever hit that elk, it was not going to go far. I believe the bullet weighed something like 700 grains going as fast as a 30-06 with a 180 grain bullet...........Wow! Now talk about "kinetic energy" down range......SOB.:eek:

[GF.]

....but I know if they ever hit that elk, it was not going to go far. I believe the bullet weighed something like 700 grains going as fast as a 30-06 with a 180 grain bullet...........Wow! Now talk about "kinetic energy" down range......SOB.:eek:


Now, Hi-Ball....

Surely you know better than that. A bad hit is a bad hit is a bad hit. Not even a freight train will guarantee a quick kill if the hit's bad enough.

800 yards isn't hunting; it's target practice on an animal that's going to suffer the consequences of the shooter's ego gone bad. It's so far removed from anything resembling 'ethical' that I wish there were a way to pass a useful law against it.


:mad:


Funniest thing I ever saw at a range.... There was a guy up here who trotted one out to 'sight it in'. On a range that maxes out at about 60 yards.

:confused:

I don't think there's a formal range anywhere in the state that lets you shoot past 20 yards anymore, and they may have shut it down to 100. I heard that someone found a bullet hole in their house on the other side of the ridge that they use for the back-stop up there. Not that anyone taking an aimed shot at a 300-yard target is going to lob anything over the ridge... More likely some nit-wit with an SK or other POS mil-surp was goin' cowboy at pistol range, and recoil sent the second round of a double-tap sailing. No wonder some places won't allow any shooting other than off of a bagged position on a solid bench.... Makes you wonder how anybody is ever going to learn how to shoot in this country....:(

[billt]

800 yards isn't hunting; it's target practice on an animal that's going to suffer the consequences of the shooter's ego gone bad. It's so far removed from anything resembling 'ethical' that I wish there were a way to pass a useful law against it.

I used to think like you, until I educated myself. Most long range hunters who take shots that long, make them! It's a fact. It requires specialized equipment, along with a lot of practice.

Lee Rassmussen just set the 1,000 yard world record with a .50 BMG rifle, 1.955 inches! Kills have been recorded far beyond that range. learn what you are talking about before you make statements requiring more "laws" against gun owners. That is simply foolish talk. This has nothing to do with "ego". Bill T.

http://www.fcsa.org/wwwroot/index.php

[Hi Ball]

Bill-T, now that is a marvelous weapon no doubt about it sir! I do hope you don't plan on mounting any of those deer your shooting at long range.......FORGETABOUTIT!!!

Yes, indeed I like that rifle for long range butt I don't think I could pack the friggin weight on my back anymore. Expensive to shoot? Sounds like what someone asked me about my Holiday Rambler motorhome..........If I had to worry about the cost of gas prior to filling it up for the long haul down the road, I would "never" have purchased it in the first place.

I guy at our gun club told me you have to have a set of ear plugs in and still cover them with a set of good muffs. The report and muzzle blast seem to be almost like artillery in the field....ha ha ha. I wish you good shooting Bill-T.