It is about time that this topic be brought up for discussion, right?
We all know that the .50 BMG, with it's own unique line of history dating back to the end of World War I, is:
LOUD
FUN TO SHOOT
SPECTACULAR
EXPENSIVE!!!
And it seems to fall into a grey area in the battle between us and the anti-gunners who always try to insist on us explaining "what is the purpose" of this, that, etc... It is easy to establish the .30-06 and the .300 WinMag as hunting and sporting rounds. They are. But for some people it is harder to explain how the .50 BMG can be used in a purely sporting manner or even legitimate civilian defensive situations.
I can see quite a few ways in which the .50 BMG can be applied to civilian situations, besides long range competitive target shooting:
1. Mining camp/oil well/safari camp in the African savanna where fast, unpredictable and highly deadly attacks by lions, tigers, wildebeest, hippos and cheetahs are a reality. A .50 BMG rifle mounted on an SUV can be used to stop a charge with very effective results.
2. Big-Five hunters can use the .50 BMG for one stop shots on a variety of large game. FMJ slug at these weights and velocity would be pretty efficient elephant and hippo droppers.
3. Similar scenario to No.1, natural gas drilling site in remote Canada or Alaska wilderness. Single shot or mag-fed bolt gun in .50 BMG placed on vehicle or stand for overwatch against grizzlies.
4. Maritime defense for civilian fishing craft and commercial freighters operating in waters with high pirate/brigand activity. .50 mag-fed or two mounted on watch platforms makes even the flimsiest trawler a hijacker or abductor's worst nightmare. Not just antipersonnel use. BMG rounds can blow out engines and put enemy boats out of commission.
Anybody else have any other ideas? Are they already being used in this fashion? They are already legal to own and shoot in most states of the US but it is a good topic for thought, since they seem to often attract unwanted attention from gun-grabbers.
We all know that the .50 BMG, with it's own unique line of history dating back to the end of World War I, is:
LOUD
FUN TO SHOOT
SPECTACULAR
EXPENSIVE!!!
And it seems to fall into a grey area in the battle between us and the anti-gunners who always try to insist on us explaining "what is the purpose" of this, that, etc... It is easy to establish the .30-06 and the .300 WinMag as hunting and sporting rounds. They are. But for some people it is harder to explain how the .50 BMG can be used in a purely sporting manner or even legitimate civilian defensive situations.
I can see quite a few ways in which the .50 BMG can be applied to civilian situations, besides long range competitive target shooting:
1. Mining camp/oil well/safari camp in the African savanna where fast, unpredictable and highly deadly attacks by lions, tigers, wildebeest, hippos and cheetahs are a reality. A .50 BMG rifle mounted on an SUV can be used to stop a charge with very effective results.
2. Big-Five hunters can use the .50 BMG for one stop shots on a variety of large game. FMJ slug at these weights and velocity would be pretty efficient elephant and hippo droppers.
3. Similar scenario to No.1, natural gas drilling site in remote Canada or Alaska wilderness. Single shot or mag-fed bolt gun in .50 BMG placed on vehicle or stand for overwatch against grizzlies.
4. Maritime defense for civilian fishing craft and commercial freighters operating in waters with high pirate/brigand activity. .50 mag-fed or two mounted on watch platforms makes even the flimsiest trawler a hijacker or abductor's worst nightmare. Not just antipersonnel use. BMG rounds can blow out engines and put enemy boats out of commission.
Anybody else have any other ideas? Are they already being used in this fashion? They are already legal to own and shoot in most states of the US but it is a good topic for thought, since they seem to often attract unwanted attention from gun-grabbers.