State Arms 50 bmg advice

[Drew50bmg]

I am looking at getting a 50bmg for plinking and a way to test my long range skills. I am not really looking for anything too serious, just an awesome conversation piece and an entry gun to test the waters. I have found an old state arms 50bmg rifle. I haven't seen it in person (only a picture), but it is at least 10 years old and has no model name on it. I've tried to reference the gun to their current models, and the closest match is the rebel.

The trigger is not the current design, nor is the stock. The barrel looks to be very close. I have done my best to scour the internet looking for older models, but I can't find anything. I have learned a lot thus far, but I am having to resort to asking the question directly. Does anyone know anything about the state arms guns circa 1999? How should they compare in value to the current models? I can get the gun for a great price if it was a current model. But it scares me that the gun is 10+ years old, and I don't have enough experience to know what to look for before I turn over some serious cash.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can steer me in the right direction.

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: State Arms 50 bmg advice

What do you mean by "serious cash"? The older State Arms would have most likely have been a Rebel. Brand new they are $2,500. You can get them used for around $1,000 to $1,500.

 

[JJones75]

Re: State Arms 50 bmg advice

I think the Armalite 50 is the best bang for the buck i have seen and was very accurate to boot.
accurcay was with the McMillan Tac-50 and the Robar RC-50

 

[Drew50bmg]

Re: State Arms 50 bmg advice

It's a package deal. $3000 for 300 rounds, some additional primers and brass, press and dies, the rifle, and what looks like a cheap scope. It sounded great until I found out how old the rifle is. Given how little the guy seemingly knows about the rifle and the price, I'm thinking this is a no go. I like the gun, but it sounds like I could buy the individual items that I pick out for about the same money.

I understand most people reload, and 3k isn't a lot to have in a 50bmg. I would rather get a $2k gun and buy rounds as I need them for now.

Thanks for the price reference. I was thinking I was conservative in valuing the gun at 1500, but apparently not conservative enough. I just wanted to make sure this wasn't a collector's item or somehow better than current models.

Thanks for the advice. If anyone else has input, I would appreciate it.

Oh, I have looked at other brands, but I prefer to buy used, local. So, that limits my options a bit. I do really like the look of the state arms rifles, though. And the reputation sounds solid.

 

[northern50]

Re: State Arms 50 bmg advice

I own a newer State Arms Rebel. I think I bought mine in about 2006. The actions on the older rifles were the same quality as the new ones. Larry the current owner is a hell of a guy, I've been to his shop a few times. Larry was Klaus's apprentice before he took over the company when Kalaus passed away. If you want to know anything about the rifle you are thinking of buying give Larry a call or shoot him an email. He will get back to you, might not be right this instant as he's a one man shop building rifles and doing the office work too.

The old actions were built like tanks just as they are today.

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: State Arms 50 bmg advice

If you can get it for $2K it would be a good deal. .50 stuff can really vary in price based upon quality. You can pick up a press from RCBS with RCBS dies and everything else you need for around $500 or you can go my route. It would be a little more.
Hollywood press

Hollywood inline seater

 

[Drew50bmg]

Re: State Arms 50 bmg advice

I would hunt this down further, but it sounds like there is nothing special about the gun that would make it worth what the guy is asking. I figure there is about $1k in extras if I bought it all separate, and I'm not excited about spending $2k on a 10 year old rifle that sells for $2500 new.

I don't think I am going to be shooting that many rounds to justify the cost of a press and dies. I may shoot 100 in a year. At that rate, I would rather buy surplus shells and save the brass for future reloading a year or two down the road.

Mechanic, that looks like a really nice setup, but given that I live in a small apt there is a certain amount of value to not having a bunch of extra stuff. I wouldn't mind getting it cheap, but I can't seem to get this guy to a reasonable price.

If anyone has a used 50 and a couple shells they want to 'give away' in the East TN area, let me know. Thanks guys.