Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

[McMopar]

First off, hello to all. Thanks for taking the time to read this. I want a 50 BMG and do not want to invest more than 4K. So which would you folks buy and why?
Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?
Thanks again.

 

[treebasher]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

Well if you have only $4,000 to spend the Bushmaster BA50 will blow your wad before you even buy glass, bullets, brass, powder, dies, press, glass, rings...

 

[McMopar]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

4K is for the gun only, no issues with the rest.

 

[maccrazy2]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

I have an AR50 and can give it an endorsment as great shooting rifle for a very good price. I have not shot the BA50 yet so I cannot speak as to it. I will say I liked mine enough that I also bought a the AR30 in 300wm and it shoots fantastic as well. The only drawback on that particular rifle is the cheekrest needs to be adjustable.

 

[Dragracer_Art]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

You should be able to get into a brand new AR50 for less than $3k.
I don't have any experience with the BM50... and after owning my AR50, I really don't have any interest in the Bushmaster.

The Armalite is one hell of a rifle for the money.

 

[swordfish]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

i would have to go with the AR50 , Have seen used ones on gunbroker at a good price

 

[Outlaw45]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

I'm happy as hell with my AR50. At the price of the rounds, loading singlely is just fine. Besides if you want to shoot good groups, a single shot will give you time to wipe the smile off your face between shots.

 

[McMopar]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

Thanks guys, any want to comment on the ATN scopes?

 

[D.A.T]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

OMG 4k rifle and $200 scope!

 

[McMopar]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

Are they really that bad???

 

[ORD]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: McMopar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are they really that bad??? </div></div>

In a word...YES! In a few more words...they are steaming piles of SHITE!!

Here is my take on this whole issue. The Armalite AR-50 is a proven design. It is a strong, rigid platform capable of delivering MOA or better accuracy out of the box with the right shooter and proper ammo. Also, given the weight of the AR-50, combined with one of the best brakes available for the 50BMG, recoil is more or less a non-issue making it a pleasure to shoot over prolonger periods of time or in comps if you have any notions of competing with it. Safe, reliable, accurate and all for a price <$3k!! There is NO downside (aside from weight perhaps if you want something with more "portability").

On the other hand, the Bushmaster is an abomination like nearly every other current platform that Bushmaster has acquired the designs for from another mfg and bastardized into their own offering (i.e. - the ACR for good example). Comparing it with the AR-50 is night and day. Sure...you get a mag-fed, repeater...SO WHAT given the BM's shotcomings?!?!

First of all, the BM's magazine will only run milspec-length ammunition, which pretty much limits you to surplus or commercially available Ball, etc. This really inhibits you in terms of getting the most accuracy out of the rifle unless you single feed (which sort of defeats the purpose of the repeater). If you are running "match" or other handloads tailored to the rifle, forget fitting them in the mag cause it isn't going to happen. Also, the BM costs roughly $1.2k+ more than an AR-50. Given your current failed notion that the ATN scope is a "suitable" choice for optics...do yourself a BIG favor and go with the Armalite, then use the savings over the BM in conjunction with the money you have set aside for the ATN toward a decent optic (Nightforce, etc.).

 

[McMopar]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ORD</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: McMopar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are they really that bad??? </div></div>

In a word...YES! In a few more words...they are steaming piles of SHITE!!

Here is my take on this whole issue. The Armalite AR-50 is a proven design. It is a strong, rigid platform capable of delivering MOA or better accuracy out of the box with the right shooter and proper ammo. Also, given the weight of the AR-50, combined with one of the best brakes available for the 50BMG, recoil is more or less a non-issue making it a pleasure to shoot over prolonger periods of time or in comps if you have any notions of competing with it. Safe, reliable, accurate and all for a price <$3k!! There is NO downside (aside from weight perhaps if you want something with more "portability").

On the other hand, the Bushmaster is an abomination like nearly every other current platform that Bushmaster has acquired the designs for from another mfg and bastardized into their own offering (i.e. - the ACR for good example). Comparing it with the AR-50 is night and day. Sure...you get a mag-fed, repeater...SO WHAT given the BM's shotcomings?!?!

First of all, the BM's magazine will only run milspec-length ammunition, which pretty much limits you to surplus or commercially available Ball, etc. This really inhibits you in terms of getting the most accuracy out of the rifle unless you single feed (which sort of defeats the purpose of the repeater). If you are running "match" or other handloads tailored to the rifle, forget fitting them in the mag cause it isn't going to happen. Also, the BM costs roughly $1.2k+ more than an AR-50. Given your current failed notion that the ATN scope is a "suitable" choice for optics...do yourself a BIG favor and go with the Armalite, then use the savings over the BM in conjunction with the money you have set aside for the ATN toward a decent optic (Nightforce, etc.). </div></div>




Thank you very much, that is exactly what I was looking for!!

Why do most people I ask about think the ATN is good? The scope I would love to have is a bit too much, Hensoldt $$$$. They are very clear and work like a dream.

Why the NightForce?

 

[ORD]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: McMopar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why do most people I ask about think the ATN is good? The scope I would love to have is a bit too much, Hensoldt $$$$. They are very clear and work like a dream.

Why the NightForce? </div></div>

Depends on who you are talking to, but from my experience with them on other people's rifles and in comparison to a wide array of scopes that I have used...the ATN scopes are far from good regardless of their price tag. The last one I saw on a .50BMG was a guy I shoot with who put a 9-36x model on a Watson's Weapons AR upper conversion. The first scope he had was internally turned to jello in 6 rounds. The second scope (replaced under warranty) held up for approx. 40 rounds before it took a dump, but after only about 10 rounds, there were visible flakes of coating/paint/etc. coming off inside the scope tube that were a real eyesore (aside from the garbage optics already being an eyesore). I would use an ATN scope as a target before I used it as an optic on any rifle I own!

I hear you on the Hensoldt, but you don't have to spend that much to get an excellent quality optic. I suggested Nightforce because they are arguably the best bang for the buck in the industry right now...new or used. They are ruggedly reliable, track perfectly, the glass is excellent, the reticles are numerous and can be had in a variety of configurations to suit your particular needs, and the features of the NF scopes are numerous and highly desired.

 

[InTheWeeds]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

Why would you want to put cheap glass on a .50? You're obviously going to be shooting out past 1000 yards (I would hope). You might as well close your eyes and shoot, you may have better accuracy than trying to look through a blurry, low lighted pile of shit scope.

 

[RegularGuy]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

Have you considered a Barrett M99? Bit more portable than the AR50

 

[stiletto raggio]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

I'm getting hooked up with a McMillan, but if I weren't, the AR-50 would be at the top of my list. I joined FCSA last year to help me do my hoomework on .50s and you might be surprised how many matches are being won with the AR-50. There is also a small (but decent) aftermarket for them. For what you get, I consider them a hell of a ste up from an AR upper or a "shell holder" design.

Go for it.

 

[McMopar]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

To be honest, the reason I asked about the BAR and ATN is I found one for 3800. I have been looking at the AR-50 and stumbled onto the Bushy. I really did not know anything about them. I have had great luck with my Nikon Monarch's on my AR-10 and it works great. The 50 cal class is completely new to me with the exception of my Wolf.

 

[jeepwilson]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

I had an AR50 and the rifle was good to go.The only complaints I had with it was the trigger was heavy and the safety takes alot of effort to get between safe and fire.I also had the ATN I think it was 12-60x80 that was supposedly built for a 50BMG and it was JUNK!One problem after another!I sent it back and when it came back it was no different.I chalked it up as a lesson learned.

 

[SPQR476]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

The barrett M99 is a bit lighter than the AR50 and doesn't have the long throat issues of the AR50. However, the typical Barrett trigger is objectionable to some. It can be fixed, but it takes some work. Barrel changes are a little more difficult, but if you put more than 6k rounds through your barrel, the cost of a barrel change ain't much of a concern at that point.

If you put an ATN or any other cheap optic on the rifle, regardless of the performance of the cheap glass, it will be a consumable item. It just won't hold together. Get an NXS, USO, S&B, or Leup Mk4 at least.

 

[McMopar]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

What scopes do you guys recommend for the 50?

 

[Cegorach]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: McMopar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks guys, any want to comment on the ATN scopes? </div></div>

Another +1 to staying away. I had one and it gave me nothing but problems, and was like looking through a tube of piss.

 

[ORD]

Re: Which one Armalite AR-50 or the Bushmaster BAR-50?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: McMopar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What scopes do you guys recommend for the 50?</div></div>

Reading comprehension is <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">HARD</span></span>!!!

See below for the recommendations you have already received on this question. And FWIW...I still say a Nightforce (any of the NXS models that suit you) is the best bang for the buck.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SPQR476</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get an NXS, USO, S&B, or Leup Mk4 at least. </div></div>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ORD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I suggested Nightforce because they are arguably the best bang for the buck in the industry right now...new or used. They are ruggedly reliable, track perfectly, the glass is excellent, the reticles are numerous and can be had in a variety of configurations to suit your particular needs, and the features of the NF scopes are numerous and highly desired. </div></div>