Why I will never own a .50 BMG

3616 Views 109 Replies 63 Participants Last post by saylesmichael167, 4 d ago

DavT

Discussion Starter · 15 d ago (Edited)

I like to shoot. I don't "train" for a zombie invasion. I am not particularly afraid of a global disaster and I am not overly concerned about thugs robbing me. I am careful and aware but I like to shoot because, well it's fun and challenging. So, on a boring day with little to do I looked up the price of .50 BMG ammo. If I had a BMG as my primary plinker over the past 15 years or so, looking at how many .22LR, 9mm, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 41 and 44 mag, 30-30 and .308 I have put down range, it would have cost me about $400,000.00. Nearly a half a million dollars. I am glad they don't make an officers model Barrett for CC.

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USARV72

· #61 · 13 d ago

This was “ Tops” jeep, we switched the M-60 for a M-2 to see if he and his driver caught it, lol. Top got in but his driver caught it, all had a good laugh. M-2 might last 20-30 rounds on a M-60 pedistal.

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mkk41

· #62 · 13 d ago

Don't forget the incredible QUAD .50!

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cadillacmike

· #63 · 12 d ago

USARV72 said:
M-48, no M-60s were used in Vietnam.

Those tanks have Vickers L7 105mm cannons, not 90mm cannons. The L7 was NOT used on M48s until the Army started upgrading old M48s starting in 1975 by putting the L7 105mm cannon them and calling them the M48A5, which they then fostered off on the National Guard in a sham where the active components were getting M1 Abrams.

The searchlight is also an M60 feature.

This site notes that there were some M60s in vietnam:

M-60 Main Battle Tank

Tanks are coming! Tanks are coming! On the battlefield to the front line soldier or any combat soldier the shouted phase “tanks are coming, tanks are coming” meant that it was going to be a bad damn day. No individual soldier with him or in his backpack any means of stopping a tank. The fear was...

www.dixongov.com

Reactions: 1

shootz

· #64 · 12 d ago

When it comes to the shooting range there are 3 times I will always remember.

1 - HK MP5 mag dump
2 - My first (and only) 25 straight at Trap
3 - 50 BMG

Nitestalker

· #65 · 12 d ago

marine.0311 said:
I think a lot of us had a Uncle who lets us shoot them. I had my fill of them during my “Stormin Norman” Days during Desert Storm/Iraqi Freedom Era as I’m told. I’m not really sure what Bosnia is considered? During Military Separation Class where they told us what era we were considered, and that our skills in Service as well as “In Country” could be used in civilian world.🤣 The latter was a lie for sure. For all you WWll/Korea and those not mentioned “THANK YOU for your Service”. And my “Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home”. No tinker parades just a boot in the arse from Our Uncle. A lot of Veterans feel this same way. Every Veteran I meet, I pray for and pay for their meal every chance I get. As the same happens to me more than I can remember. Either Veterans or their Widows still grieving over their love one gone home. Some of you maybe even on here. In which I say “Thank You”.

WELCOME HOME BROTHER...VIETNAM 70-71

synchro

· #66 · 12 d ago

If you shoot a 50 seriously, you reload. I bought a 50 on a whim and did not know
what to do with it. Then I found the FCSA and the Whittington Center. When you find
a bunch of people that all like to shoot 50's the whole game changes. We shoot 5 shot
strings at 1000 yards, 6 relays. Below 290 you really aren't competitive and sub 4"
groups are not uncommon. Both from rests on a bench and bipods on the ground. All
bolt action. Semis shoot their own class in the practical match at 600yards. They are
just not competitive against the bolt guns. Shooters in their 60's and 70's are common
with 80's still shooting. One of the most consistent is a woman in her 70's who walks
with two canes. Ironman competition shoots all four classes over two days. If you can
play with these people, 50's are Really Really fun.

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Beano

· #67 · 12 d ago

Sorry- I couldn’t resist.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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macmanjim

· #68 · 12 d ago

It's overkill unless one is hunting dinosaurs. Of course there are times overkill isn't enough.

Reactions: 1

Penmaker

· #69 · 12 d ago (Edited)

Plantar5 said:
A barrett 50 was on one of my buddies bucket list. It’s the semi auto version. I’ve shot it several times and it wasn’t as bad as I thought. But, you do NOT want to be within 10-15 ft of the muzzle brake… As far as ammo goes, 50 BMG is cheaper than .338 lapua.

View attachment 681615 View attachment 681614 View attachment 681613

I agree with the cost of ammunition. My brother-in-law priced a box of 20- 338LM IN Arizona for 75.0 plus tax license and "dealer prep" Since I load my own, the 338LM isn't that expensive to feed, as far as a 50 since the illustrious governor of the once golden state has gotten them prohibited. And most ranges won't allow them; the odds of me purchasing one are about the same as Joe Biden getting invited to join Mensa.

Top Cover

· #70 · 12 d ago

How about 6 Browning 50s? This would be my preferred platform.

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USARV72

· #71 · 12 d ago

cadillacmike said:
Those tanks have Vickers L7 105mm cannons, not 90mm cannons. The L7 was NOT used on M48s until the Army started upgrading old M48s starting in 1975 by putting the L7 105mm cannon them and calling them the M48A5, which they then fostered off on the National Guard in a sham where the active components were getting M1 Abrams.

The searchlight is also an M60 feature.

This site notes that there were some M60s in vietnam:

M-60 Main Battle Tank

Tanks are coming! Tanks are coming! On the battlefield to the front line soldier or any combat soldier the shouted phase “tanks are coming, tanks are coming” meant that it was going to be a bad damn day. No individual soldier with him or in his backpack any means of stopping a tank. The fear was...

www.dixongov.com

Hummm. Stanton’s Order of Battle says no M-60s as did our instructors at APG in 71? My MOS was 63H20.

saylesmichael167

· #72 · 12 d ago

marine.0311 said:
I think a lot of us had a Uncle who lets us shoot them. I had my fill of them during my “Stormin Norman” Days during Desert Storm/Iraqi Freedom Era as I’m told. I’m not really sure what Bosnia is considered? During Military Separation Class where they told us what era we were considered, and that our skills in Service as well as “In Country” could be used in civilian world.🤣 The latter was a lie for sure. For all you WWll/Korea and those not mentioned “THANK YOU for your Service”. And my “Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home”. No tinker parades just a boot in the arse from Our Uncle. A lot of Veterans feel this same way. Every Veteran I meet, I pray for and pay for their meal every chance I get. As the same happens to me more than I can remember. Either Veterans or their Widows still grieving over their love one gone home. Some of you maybe even on here. In which I say “Thank You”.

I feel the same way about full auto, shot my share on a two way range when I wasn't paying for ammo, got it out of my system unless we are in a situation that calls for suppressing fire and fire superiority I'll be happy to never shoot one again.

saylesmichael167

· #73 · 12 d ago

cadillacmike said:
Those tanks have Vickers L7 105mm cannons, not 90mm cannons. The L7 was NOT used on M48s until the Army started upgrading old M48s starting in 1975 by putting the L7 105mm cannon them and calling them the M48A5, which they then fostered off on the National Guard in a sham where the active components were getting M1 Abrams.

The searchlight is also an M60 feature.

This site notes that there were some M60s in vietnam:

M-60 Main Battle Tank

Tanks are coming! Tanks are coming! On the battlefield to the front line soldier or any combat soldier the shouted phase “tanks are coming, tanks are coming” meant that it was going to be a bad damn day. No individual soldier with him or in his backpack any means of stopping a tank. The fear was...

www.dixongov.com

I am not going to disagree with the information in the article that there were M60 tanks in Vietnam but I feel confident in saying the USMC didn't have any M60 tanks there!!!!!!!!!

riposte191145

· #74 · 11 d ago

JD11 said:
I shot one once and I was prepared for the worst but the recoil was mild because it was so heavy.

I shot a bolt action in .50 BMG once that had a huge muzzle brake. I asked if the brake was removable (because the rifle was sort of sleek for that large a caliber) and the owner said "Sure...wanna try it?".

I think it was Mark Twain who said "Adventure, is the result of poor preparation" - well it was an adventure! the rifle weight about 12 lbs after removing the break and yes it KICKED! I only required one round to convince me the brake worked!

I owned a Fred Wells .510 Wells Express briefly - it was a beautiful gun but it had a 14+" L.O.P. and a 27" heavy barrel and weighed over 14 lbs. The recoil of a 650 gr. bullet at 2300 fps was not horrible but the rifle was so unhandy I traded it to a friend who is 6'5" and weighs 300 lbs! I traded for a 45-120 Sharps - not that kicks!

Later I bought a CZ 550 in .458 Win mag and had it rechambered to .458 Lott (they started chambering for that cartridge just a year later) - but the gun I got weighed 8.5 lbs! It was manageable in .458 WM but when I fired the first few Lotts (500 at 2300!) I saw stars (which indicate detaching a retina) and my right arm went numb! I added 2 lbs of mercury weights to the stock and no it is manageable - barely!

I likely should sell this gun, as I will never make it to Africa and I have plenty enough rilfles for Bear or Moose or Elk but I need something to keep the elephants out of the wife's rose garden...that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

I consider myself a real gun enthusiast but I too will likely never own a .50 BMG (I do have friends who have them, more power to them!).

Riposte

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riposte191145

· #75 · 11 d ago

dsk said:
Jon Foster's post reminded me that there actually is ONE way I wouldn't mind owning a .50 BMG, or six of them for that matter.

Pretty cool! But why not get a P-47 and have 8 of them! Or, better yet, a B-17 and have 10!

Just kidding. A F4U (in fact it was from the Black Sheep Squadron) landed at the local strip 1.5 miles from the house about 15 years ago - man it was impressive - shook the ground when it took off!

Riposte

Reactions: 1

Gator22

· #76 · 11 d ago

A buddy a a few Barretts he used for his anti piracy company he had for a short time. I shot one at 1000 yrds using gallon water jugs as targets. Lot of fun. Recoil was not bad at all on the semi autos.

caddy2507

· #77 · 11 d ago

I would not mind having a Barret in the collection. However, the issue is that there are no
ranges anywhere near me that permit shooting .50 caliber weapons. They tear up the
backstop too much. Also, the longest range near me is just 300 meters, not really enough
to do it justice.

Reactions: 1

PhilaPop

· #78 · 11 d ago

1saxman said:
Once I hit 70 I realized that 5.56 and 7.62x39 were enough for me.

Gosh, I'm in my early 70s and I just realized I want and need a 50 BMG. When I get mine, I'll only get it to the range 2-3 times a year and even then I'll probably only shoot less than 10 rounds. I'm looking for the M95 (or M99) that is a single shot, 32" 50 BMG capable of 2+ miles. The gun and scope will cost slightly less than some of my 1911s. BUT, I need the gun and a new safe in which to store the rifle

. See, I have my addiction completely under control

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cadillacmike

· #79 · 11 d ago

Top Cover said:
How about 6 Browning 50s? This would be my preferred platform.

View attachment 681790

Eight 50s in the P47 Thunderbolt.

cadillacmike

· #80 · 11 d ago

USARV72 said:
Hummm. Stanton’s Order of Battle says no M-60s as did our instructors at APG in 71? My MOS was 63H20.

63H series Heavy / tacked vehicle maint?? I was a 92A series then 88C then 90A (Multifuntional Logistics) Officer by the time I retired.

Yes but there was stuff going on until 1972-73, and Stanton wasn't perfect.

I read some articles that said the M60 wasn't in Vietnam, but those are clearly 105mm Cannons (US built Vickers L7) on those tanks, and the early M60 turret did look a lot like the M48A3 turret, after all they fitted 105mms in them for the M48A5. The M60A1 had that distinctive rounded nose and longer turret. Those were never in Vietnam.

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