Have always wanted a 50BMG, just because. Already have a Ruger RPR 338 and a 6.5CM. Considering either a Cadex Tremor or Barrett M82A1. Anything else I should consider in the $8K or less range? Really prefer to buy something off the shelf as I am too lazy to build one, and max range I would shoot is 1 mile. Also prefer something that is not single shot. So, how would the M82A1 compare to the Cadex in terms of long range accuracy? No one near me shoots stuff this large so no real opportunity to try any of these guns out. Glass will be either a ZCO 5-27x56 or NF ATACR 7-35x56.
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Which 50BMG?
- Thread starter Edgedriver77
- Start date
I don’t see any reason why those two should be compared. Like comparing a dump truck to a Corvette for sporty driving. Two different missions for those rifles. The DTA HTI should be on your list, that would comparable to the Tremor.
Thanks, forgot all about Desert Tech. I know the 2 I have mentioned are very different but like the looks of the Barrett. However, not sure how good it is at long distance and know the. Adex from what Ibhave rewd, is very good long range so leaning Cadex.
Um...to be clear, the M82A1 was built as an anti-material rifle, not quite a "precision" weapon. They aren't expected to be precision rifles the same way Cadex, Desert Tech, or Accuracy International are. I will confess I don't have experience with .50 caliber systems, but I'd pick a dedicated bolt action over a Barrett if I'm looking for accuracy in a .50 BMG.
Just as a totally different note.
You could wait till early next year and get one of these instead:
www.hoplitearms.com
You could wait till early next year and get one of these instead:
PHALANX - EXTREME LONG RANGE RIFLE WEAPON
Extreme Long Range/Hard Target Interdiction Weapon System. Custom match grade stainless steel, cut rifled barrel chambered with modern CNC machines.
www.hoplitearms.com
Another for the Cadex, price wise it's a winner. Got mine from EuroOptic for $6589
Thats a good deal, almost $8100 now.
I have a Serbu which has served me well for about 18 years. I don't feel bad shooting ball through it or spotter tracer or other fun stuff and it shoots pretty darn well. Reloading is fun for the big 50. I have been playing with 750grn Lapua Hybrids, 750grn AMAX, spotter tracer, AP, API.
If it were me I would look at the Armalite AR50 if you are on a budget and then go up. I used to love EDM Windrunners but they are different now since the owner of EDM has passed away. If I had the money to burn, an AX50 would be in the safe. The DTA looks cool and I have heard good things about DTA so it is absolutely worth looking at and I know I saw one in the for sale section here on the Hide.
Biggerhammer used to be a real big .50 BMG resource. It has died down but you can always get on there to ask some stuff.
If it were me I would look at the Armalite AR50 if you are on a budget and then go up. I used to love EDM Windrunners but they are different now since the owner of EDM has passed away. If I had the money to burn, an AX50 would be in the safe. The DTA looks cool and I have heard good things about DTA so it is absolutely worth looking at and I know I saw one in the for sale section here on the Hide.
Biggerhammer used to be a real big .50 BMG resource. It has died down but you can always get on there to ask some stuff.
Between those two, Cadex Tremor all the way. Especially if you want an accurate rifle.
There’s something to be said about a semi auto 50 though. They’re badass. I wouldn’t own another M82 though, the one I had shot about 2.5moa with 750gr Amax ammo which honestly sucked. I’ve known other who have had them with similar results. The M107 is a much better rifle as far as accuracy goes but it’s unlikely you’re going to get one for $8K even used if you get insanely lucky. Mine shot sub MOA with amax.
If you want a 50 to have a 50 the M107 is what I would buy. It’s the perfect combination of accuracy and fun factor. A little over your budget but if you can afford a $8K toy then you can afford a $10K toy.
There’s something to be said about a semi auto 50 though. They’re badass. I wouldn’t own another M82 though, the one I had shot about 2.5moa with 750gr Amax ammo which honestly sucked. I’ve known other who have had them with similar results. The M107 is a much better rifle as far as accuracy goes but it’s unlikely you’re going to get one for $8K even used if you get insanely lucky. Mine shot sub MOA with amax.
If you want a 50 to have a 50 the M107 is what I would buy. It’s the perfect combination of accuracy and fun factor. A little over your budget but if you can afford a $8K toy then you can afford a $10K toy.
I have an HTI. You can change calibers but the mags for .375 are funky... Like SKS mags with the long lip. Stupid. In BMG though it's not like that. Uh, what can I say? It's a big motherfucker that holds a big ass barrel and gets it done.
If I had it to do over though, I think I'd get the Harris .50. I just like it. Is it better? I don't know. I think it's the one the SEALs used to kill the shitbags on that freighter. I wanna say it's a no-shit subMOA rifle. The HTI is advertised at a .5 MOA rifle but I've never tested it like that --it's kinda hard to find a good place to take it sometimes. But you haven't blown red dye water milk jugs until you do it with a BMG. They disintegrate in a puff about 20' in diameter! API is the titties and Raufoss, my god. IF you get your hands on those, save 'em. They're legal for you to own but someone somewhere broke a law to get 'em to you. For a bolt gun though, I wouldn't be firing API/T or ball. Brass solids only. Those barrels go to shit after what, 1000, 2000 rounds? I forget. But it's not much. I guess that's why they make such nice barrel gauges for M2HB's.
$6700 for a repeater rifle in this class from a quality mfg., do it. That's giveaway prices. Just do it, don't look back. IF you still wanna get into .50.
Legacy costs for it are the biggest issue, not the rifle. Ammo is NOT cheap. If you load, the components are way more expensive too. I buy my shit in bulk from govt. auctions, 10,000 pieces at a time. Only way to go. And you WILL wear out a BFR press and test Dillon's CS (which is phenomenal). Also, and here's a tip for all you reloaders regardless of caliber but ESPECIALLY the big ones --lanolin lube. Either Imperial wax or the spray shit I used to sell before covid killed my alcohol supply (basically emulsified pure lanolin and 99% ispropanol at an 8:1 ratio). Harder to clean off but man, makes all the difference with sizing.
Uh, don't use CH4D for your supplies, they're cheap for a reason. God forbid you have any problems with them because it WILL be your fault, not theirs. Even if they JB weld the goddamn stem to the body, that'll be your fault and they will go to the mat over a refund --in the end CC company took the hit because I wasn't willing to bend. So who do you use? If M2 still makes dies, then him. He's the best. But he told me he was folding up shop some years back, then I saw he was offering 'em again a few years later on a limited basis. They ain't cheap, wish I had a set. They'll be custom made for your chamber, so not necessary if you get a semi. Whidden is my goto for custom die shit --make sure to speak directly to the die shop manager, he'll take care of you.
I'd post pics but apparently all my files are too big now after the update.
I just got an MRAD though and I think that one will get used a lot more. And I'll probably take advantage of the ability to swap barrels in this one. MRAD is a bad motherfucker and I totally see why it was the Remington killer for the military. Not a BMG but considering military is going to .338LM or Norma over BMG for everything EXCEPT static anti-material roles, well, it's worth thinking about.
I don't know if this will help your decision or not, but I'd consider selling the DTA HTI because I have an MRAD. The M2HB? Fuck no. I wanna be buried with it, just in case. Easily one of the most fun weapons available. They only go up in cost too. Mine was NIB at $8k --good luck finding a used one for that. But then you got tripods, mounts, lights and lasers if you wanna go the mounted night route, oh and don't forget the $6k for roof mount shit. Or $4k if you wanna make it into a high speed technical. You can always weld a pintle to the frame and go the haji route though.
I named it after my ex-wife --it's a loud, fat, mean heavy bitch... Nothing beats that "BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!!! --boom, boom,boom!"
Oh, for suppressors? I guess Barrett if you get a Barrett. And I saw one once made for an M2HB but he was just experimenting. But Elite Iron for any bolt gun, hands down. Dale does NOT fuck around. He's fitting my MRAD with a Sierra SD right now. He always goes the extra step, indexing the can TDC. Built like a tank. He makes the brakes for all the Harris rifles too, so he can supply that and the can both indexed so no need for shims if you wanna swap (because you gotta have something on there, fact). The wrench flats were a plus.
If you wanna make us all look like pussies though, there's a mfg. here in WA somewhere that makes a 20mm Vulcan rifle. It's 6' long and weighs over 100lbs. I saw a guy loading for one once and he modified a log splitter for a press. I think Sirhr does something similar for one of his cannons? So the rabbit hole does go much deeper...
If I had it to do over though, I think I'd get the Harris .50. I just like it. Is it better? I don't know. I think it's the one the SEALs used to kill the shitbags on that freighter. I wanna say it's a no-shit subMOA rifle. The HTI is advertised at a .5 MOA rifle but I've never tested it like that --it's kinda hard to find a good place to take it sometimes. But you haven't blown red dye water milk jugs until you do it with a BMG. They disintegrate in a puff about 20' in diameter! API is the titties and Raufoss, my god. IF you get your hands on those, save 'em. They're legal for you to own but someone somewhere broke a law to get 'em to you. For a bolt gun though, I wouldn't be firing API/T or ball. Brass solids only. Those barrels go to shit after what, 1000, 2000 rounds? I forget. But it's not much. I guess that's why they make such nice barrel gauges for M2HB's.
$6700 for a repeater rifle in this class from a quality mfg., do it. That's giveaway prices. Just do it, don't look back. IF you still wanna get into .50.
Legacy costs for it are the biggest issue, not the rifle. Ammo is NOT cheap. If you load, the components are way more expensive too. I buy my shit in bulk from govt. auctions, 10,000 pieces at a time. Only way to go. And you WILL wear out a BFR press and test Dillon's CS (which is phenomenal). Also, and here's a tip for all you reloaders regardless of caliber but ESPECIALLY the big ones --lanolin lube. Either Imperial wax or the spray shit I used to sell before covid killed my alcohol supply (basically emulsified pure lanolin and 99% ispropanol at an 8:1 ratio). Harder to clean off but man, makes all the difference with sizing.
Uh, don't use CH4D for your supplies, they're cheap for a reason. God forbid you have any problems with them because it WILL be your fault, not theirs. Even if they JB weld the goddamn stem to the body, that'll be your fault and they will go to the mat over a refund --in the end CC company took the hit because I wasn't willing to bend. So who do you use? If M2 still makes dies, then him. He's the best. But he told me he was folding up shop some years back, then I saw he was offering 'em again a few years later on a limited basis. They ain't cheap, wish I had a set. They'll be custom made for your chamber, so not necessary if you get a semi. Whidden is my goto for custom die shit --make sure to speak directly to the die shop manager, he'll take care of you.
I'd post pics but apparently all my files are too big now after the update.
I just got an MRAD though and I think that one will get used a lot more. And I'll probably take advantage of the ability to swap barrels in this one. MRAD is a bad motherfucker and I totally see why it was the Remington killer for the military. Not a BMG but considering military is going to .338LM or Norma over BMG for everything EXCEPT static anti-material roles, well, it's worth thinking about.
I don't know if this will help your decision or not, but I'd consider selling the DTA HTI because I have an MRAD. The M2HB? Fuck no. I wanna be buried with it, just in case. Easily one of the most fun weapons available. They only go up in cost too. Mine was NIB at $8k --good luck finding a used one for that. But then you got tripods, mounts, lights and lasers if you wanna go the mounted night route, oh and don't forget the $6k for roof mount shit. Or $4k if you wanna make it into a high speed technical. You can always weld a pintle to the frame and go the haji route though.
I named it after my ex-wife --it's a loud, fat, mean heavy bitch... Nothing beats that "BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!!! --boom, boom,boom!"
Oh, for suppressors? I guess Barrett if you get a Barrett. And I saw one once made for an M2HB but he was just experimenting. But Elite Iron for any bolt gun, hands down. Dale does NOT fuck around. He's fitting my MRAD with a Sierra SD right now. He always goes the extra step, indexing the can TDC. Built like a tank. He makes the brakes for all the Harris rifles too, so he can supply that and the can both indexed so no need for shims if you wanna swap (because you gotta have something on there, fact). The wrench flats were a plus.
If you wanna make us all look like pussies though, there's a mfg. here in WA somewhere that makes a 20mm Vulcan rifle. It's 6' long and weighs over 100lbs. I saw a guy loading for one once and he modified a log splitter for a press. I think Sirhr does something similar for one of his cannons? So the rabbit hole does go much deeper...
M107 is probably the best advice... Best of both worlds, cost a lot less than both an M2 AND a bolt gun, legacy costs will be less. It'll maintain value too, military stopped ordering 'em but will be maintaining inventory (so not impossible to draw like an M14 but not exactly common either). MRAD is replacing everything, from .308 to BMG across the military. If you have one, you'd see why, it's pretty impressive. If you just want long range and accuracy, I'd consider the MRAD. I'll probably be using it a lot more than the HTI too. Much lighter and has all the reach. And it's the only rifle with interchangeable barrels that I'll actually do that with.
At one point I considered trading the HTI and all the gear for it for one but only problem was everyone that wanted it lived in some other state, making the suppressor transfer a hassle. I realized I'm probably better off anyway with what I have but you know how it goes.
