My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

[billt]

I just picked it up Friday. This thing is beautifully crafted. The bolt rides on roller bearings, and is smooth as silk. Total weight with an empty magazine is 35 pounds on my scale. The rifle comes in a really nice, 6 latch Pelican Case with die cut, high density foam. It disassembles much like an AR with front and rear take down pins. I be getting glass mounted in the next few weeks, then it's time to light it up! Bill T.

 

[7mmRM]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

Awesome! I handled one a few weeks ago, and thought it was very nice piece.

 

[SAS_Sniper]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

nice beast!

 

[desertHK]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

A friend of mine has one. It's even better if you are a lefty. Supposedly, it's quite accurate. Welcome to the 50 BMG club. It's a blast to shoot. My reloading equipments just arrived. Hopefully, it will be a bit cheaper to shoot it (Barrett M99).

 

[el gordo2]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DesertHK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A friend of mine has one. <span style="font-weight: bold">It's even better if you are a lefty.</span> Supposedly, it's quite accurate. Welcome to the 50 BMG club. It's a blast to shoot. My reloading equipments just arrived. Hopefully, it will be a bit cheaper to shoot it (Barrett M99). </div></div>


Actually I find it very difficult to do so, my arm is not long enough and you have to get off the gun to work the bolt or reach over with the right hand which isnt easy either while shooting prone.

 

[billt]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

I really like the adjustable stock. So much so I will be definitely looking into these for my AR-15's. They make life easier. If any of you fine fellows are into the .50 BMG, this place has any kind of ammo, and or components you might think of. Bill T.

http://www.50bmgsupply.com/

 

[billt]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

Desert HK,

What kind of press, dies, etc. did you invest in? I'm thinking of the Lee set up. Seems like a lot of "bang for the buck". Bill T.

 

[cruzie27]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

Nice gun!

One of my local funshops has one on the counter that I've played with a time or two. That roller bolt is pretty smooth,.And I am going to use a stock like that for my AR-10 build.

So can you shoot the A-max's out of that gun? I know in my .50BMG rifle (M82A1) I have a bit of a mag issue with the A-max ammo, I'm saving up for some of the 750gr Stuff from Thunder Ranch.

What kind of glass are you going to go with?

ETA: I've been looking at the Lee set up as well,I just don't know anyone that has the set up I want so I can try it first.

 

[DocV]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

Thunder Ranch? I've heard of Thunder Ammo, Randy's good to go. Very consistent loads. I've shot the 690gr ball and 750gr solids and will be trying the 710gr later this year. I've heard good things about 50bmgsupply too, but I've never ordered.

A couple things about the BA50, the bolt will require a bit of force to open and extract. Not "cleaning rod + rubber mallet" force, but you'll lose site of the target momentarily. Over time it gets better. It helps if you cycle like you mean it. Don't do it slow and steady

The right side of the upper will get some scuff marks from the brass if you extract too quickly. It's not bad in the least, but it did surprise me. You can either use masking tape or extract a bit slower.

And occassionally the brass gets some streaks(only about 5 out of the 50 I've shot). This doesn't affect reloading, but I thought I'd throw that out since it caught me off guard.

Have fun with your cannon=)

-V-

 

[exhogflyer]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

Nice stick and welcome to the 50 club.Let us know how it shoots.Cruzie27 the Lee setup is GTG, have been using mine for 2 years.

 

[el gordo2]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

The Lee turns out good ammo for the price. Suprisingly easy to resize, simple to set up, been using mine for a couple of years too. 230 grs of H50BMG behind 750gr A Max does well.

 

[Shady_Jay]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

I've yet to move over to the big stuff yet. I like the looks of that rifle. I have something new to study

 

[DocV]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

230gr is a bit higher than I'm accustomed to for a 750gr projo, what's the OAL?

-V-

 

[cruzie27]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

Don't know why I was thinking Thunder ranch,.. But yeah Thunder ammo is what I am wanting to try,. More specifically the M82 match stuff they sell.

Thanks for the info on the Lee set up,. I'll have to make sure I pick one up soon as I have a pile of everything but the projo's sitting in a box waiting to get reloaded.


The heavy guns are very nice,. The semi-auto kinda hurts the wallet a bit,. But every time I pull the trigger I grin & giggle like a little kid.

 

[billt]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

<span style="font-weight: bold">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.</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">Smith Enterprises Rings. (Wire EDM Cut 4130 steel.)</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">Smith Enterprises Delrin Reducer Rings, (30 MM To 1")</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">Smith Enteprises Base, (Also wire cut 4130 steel).</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">Bushnell 3200 Elite Tactical 5-15X 40MM</span>

 

[RADcustom]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

I looked at the Smith rings when scoping mine and decided to go with the Badger Max50's simply because they offered a lower height.

Nice rifle.

 

[billt]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

<span style="font-weight: bold">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.</span>

 

[el gordo2]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

Noticed your scope is set back in the pics. I wound up having the end of the scope eye piece even with the rear of the action, The eye relief is fine and I dont have to remove the scope to put it in the case. I am running a Leupold MK IV 8.5x25.

 

[cruzie27]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

I have a Elite 3200 mil dot on my M1A,. It makes for a sweet little set up. I was going to put on on my M82 a few months back just so I could have some glass on it, but I was a bit uneasy about it being able to handle the recoil of a .50 BMG rifle.

So are you shooting the regular M33 FMJ out if it or are you going to try the 750 gr. A-max loads?

looking forward to a range report on how it shoots.

 

[billt]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cruzie27</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So are you shooting the regular M33 FMJ out if it or are you going to try the 750 gr. A-max loads?

looking forward to a range report on how it shoots. </div></div>

I'm going with the Federal M-33 FMJ for now, just to get the hang of the rifle, and to see how it shoots. After I get it dialed in I'll go for more accurate ammo, then after I collect enough brass I'll start reloading. I'll be back with a good range report as soon as I get it ready to go. My scope Rosin is going to be here in just a few hours, and after that I'll apply it and she will be ready to hit the range in just a couple of weeks. I have a new Savage 110 FCP-K in .300 Win. Mag. to wring out next week. After that the .50 BMG is next. Bill T.

 

[cruzie27]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

Hmmm,..

Seems great minds think alike, I am working on some handloads for the Remington 700 5r in .300 Win Mag that I got earlier this month. My 190gr. SMK's are tight but I need to get them faster.

I still have to zero my scope,. I just got it mounted tonight so I have some work ahead if me as well my next free weekend or two. And I'll be shooting the same XM33, I just need to find a place where I can really stretch out my .50

 

[DocV]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

I'm not sure if you want to have the scope that far back. The LOP and eye relief might not be bad, but the bolt handle is way up in the front. There could be some cycling issues

-V-

 

[ARsR4ME]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

Doc-- sent PM.

 

[nehumanuscrede]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

Nice gun

I have an AR-50 myself and reload ( only way to afford to shoot this thing ) so will be curious about your impressions on the rifle. I have Barrett rings on it with a Leu MK4 ERT to see with.

I have more ball tips than I know what to do with ( including a lot of AP ) but they just can't touch the Amax rounds ( my opinion only of course ) when it comes to accuracy. Of course the Amax tips are nearly $2.50 each . . . so -shrug- it's a trade off I guess.

I initially purchased 3-4 cases of ball ammo from Barrett and have been re-using the brass to reload with. RCBS tools and dies throughout, H869 powder. Takes right at 240gr of powder to push that 750 Amax round out to ~2700fps.

Make sure you buy your powder in the 8lb cans

Congrats on the new gun. Now just have to find a place to shoot it

 

[ChrisNCT]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

Very nice, I will never forget that day I brought my AR50A1 home.

 

[Whit]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

How does it shoot?

 

[rubicon_unlimited]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
The right side of the upper will get some scuff marks from the brass if you extract too quickly. It's not bad in the least, but it did surprise me. You can either use masking tape or extract a bit slower.

</div></div>



I also experienced this problem but did not notice it till I shot 80 rounds in a timed match! So I have 80 little brass dings in the side of my reciever!

 

[rubicon_unlimited]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: whit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How does it shoot? </div></div>

It has no problem knockin down man size pop ups between 600 and 1000 meters with ball ammo! Loaded by Thunder ammo.

 

[rubicon_unlimited]

Re: My New Bushmaster BA-50 .50 BMG

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bill T</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">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.</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">Smith Enterprises Rings. (Wire EDM Cut 4130 steel.)</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">Smith Enterprises Delrin Reducer Rings, (30 MM To 1")</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">Smith Enteprises Base, (Also wire cut 4130 steel).</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">Bushnell 3200 Elite Tactical 5-15X 40MM</span> </div></div>

Does your base have built in moa? I run the 20 moa the 20moa Nightforce Uni-mount on mine and thats more than enough to get to 1000!