Thread: Anyone shooting .50 BMG target rifles?

[QUOTE=Mike Blue;809139]You need to find some place with some distance that's fit for men to shoot at. At 200 yards that ball hasn't even gone to sleep yet!

I spit further than that...If my target is 200 yards I would just throw a rock, and save the bullet...

What is the distance from which you actually need a spotter? Or do you always require a spotter no matter the distance? For example, a secret service sniper shooting from an elevated position, 200 yards or so. Does he need spotter?

Originally Posted by JohnnyNorth

Its good out to about 2000 yards from what I hear. Longest shot the dealer has made was about 2700 m with his swiss made AMSD Nemesis rifle (owner of alberta tactical rifle.com). This one is probably not as accurate though - more of a military grade thing. So far this one has made it to 200 yards The Sharps certainly did not have the benefit of a massive muzzle break!

You need to find a bigger range. 200 yards is a bit short for that beast. I routinely take my .30-30 out to 150yds (thank you hornady lever revolution ammo) and shoot tennis balls. Hell, my 10/22 with stock barrel can keep it within an inch and a half at 100.
Someday I need to get me a big boy rifle but if I want a lot of range time the .22lr is all I can afford... the 30-30 breaks the bank if I want to use it more than every couple months (granted, if I'd stop futzing about with my .357 and .41 mags I could afford more rifle ammo but I really enjoy the simplicity of SA wheel guns not to mention there is an indoor pistol range in town for year round happiness).
Range time is key. As is lack of fear from the recoil. When I've spent a lot of time on the .22 and neglect the .30-30 my first shot is spot on then I get skurred for the next two or three shots. Have fun with that beast and don't forget to keep some $ around for RAD after you buy ammo.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Impressive rifle.
I have to ask though: at those long distances, how much depends on the shooter and how much on the rifle?
Is there still a big difference between different rifles?

The reason I ask is that from the outside, it seems that there is a great amount of skill involved in a shot, whereas the differences between rifles are smaller than the differences between shooters.

In case it was not obvious, I've never shot anything else than handguns or double barreled shotguns. And only a couple of times at that.

No matter how good the Rifle, if the shooter and spotter do not do their job it will not matter. That being said all rifles have their own personality and some are better then others. (and prefer different ammo). If I would have to give it a number over 1800yards, I would say 80% shooter, 20% weapon. ish...

Originally Posted by Wintchase

Aah, there lies the rub my friend..the thing that snipers never like to admit is that the spotter is the actual shooter. The sniper is nothing more than a meatplatform which the spotter uses with a more powerful spotting scope in which he can read range wind and mirage with...it is a little talked about fact,because it doesn'tjibe with the movies.

+1 to that. If your spotter misses the dope then you fail. why they are called teams...

Originally Posted by bharner

You need to find a bigger range. 200 yards is a bit short for that beast. I routinely take my .30-30 out to 150yds (thank you hornady lever revolution ammo) and shoot tennis balls. Hell, my 10/22 with stock barrel can keep it within an inch and a half at 100.
Someday I need to get me a big boy rifle but if I want a lot of range time the .22lr is all I can afford... the 30-30 breaks the bank if I want to use it more than every couple months (granted, if I'd stop futzing about with my .357 and .41 mags I could afford more rifle ammo but I really enjoy the simplicity of SA wheel guns not to mention there is an indoor pistol range in town for year round happiness).
Range time is key. As is lack of fear from the recoil. When I've spent a lot of time on the .22 and neglect the .30-30 my first shot is spot on then I get skurred for the next two or three shots. Have fun with that beast and don't forget to keep some $ around for RAD after you buy ammo.

Yes, hoping to take it out farther soon. We actually start at 25yds for sighting in on paper and then make adjustments to save on ammo expense. Hornady does make great ammo! I was not sure what to expect with the .50 as far as recoil but I must say its not bad at all. The combination of weight and the break works quite well. I'd say its less than the marlin 1895gs .45-70 and some shotguns.

Makes sense but the mental image of you shooting a target at 25 yards with a .50 is pretty dawgone funny. I'm guessing it's more fun on squirrels than a 12g slug...

Originally Posted by JohnnyNorth

Yes, hoping to take it out farther soon. We actually start at 25yds for sighting in on paper and then make adjustments to save on ammo expense. Hornady does make great ammo! I was not sure what to expect with the .50 as far as recoil but I must say its not bad at all. The combination of weight and the break works quite well. I'd say its less than the marlin 1895gs .45-70 and some shotguns.

That does sound like a good time...but yea, i fogot about the expensive rounds. I never had to worryabout that in the Army..also always check your muzzle break before firing. I had a soldier take off a GEM .50 fire suppressor and screwed the muzzle break back on (not tight enough) , and that was probably the funniest thing that i ever saw when the break came off with the shot...that kid was in the hurt locker for a week after that.

Largest thing I have is a 338 Winchester mag in a long barrel Browning. Kicks like a mule. I use a 200 grain ballistic tip hand load for hunting. It was my elk rifle that I adapted to deer. Took one at 530 yards once in a walnut grove. My club has a variety of shooters. I was at the club last weekend working on digging out footers for concrete to mount our new benches on. One of the guys had his bolt 50 on the 100. Every time he shot, leafs fell of the trees at the 15 yard range. We have a few class 3 holders in the auto club. One guy has a hummer and every now and then he shows up with his mini gun mounted on it. Talk about a buzz saw, WAAAAAAAAAAPPP! There goes 500 rounds...

Originally Posted by cannonfodder

Largest thing I have is a 338 Winchester mag in a long barrel Browning. Kicks like a mule. I use a 200 grain ballistic tip hand load for hunting. It was my elk rifle that I adapted to deer. Took one at 530 yards once in a walnut grove. My club has a variety of shooters. I was at the club last weekend working on digging out footers for concrete to mount our new benches on. One of the guys had his bolt 50 on the 100. Every time he shot, leafs fell of the trees at the 15 yard range. We have a few class 3 holders in the auto club. One guy has a hummer and every now and then he shows up with his mini gun mounted on it. Talk about a buzz saw, WAAAAAAAAAAPPP! There goes 500 rounds...

Sounds like fun. Too bad us Canadians have to line up for an hour at the Gun Store in Las Vegas to shoot an auto