Shooting a ,50 BMG

M

mickthenailer

New member
My son is bringing home a Barrett model 99 to wring out on our home range. I suppose, in order to avoid looking like a wimp, I am going to have to shoot this thing. Any advice on what to expect when the trigger is pulled would be welcome. Should I shoot offhand the first time or start right from the bench? I expect it would also be a good idea to alert the neighbors and stable the horses. Again, any advice or warnings or flat out statements of DON'T DO THAT would be appreciated.

Mick, {looking at almost 6" of cartridge and feeling intimidated].
 
I've never fired one myself

With that in mind, I've watched guys fire several. One guy of average size rapid fired his Barret semi and was laughing the whole time.

Barret's have a great muzzle brake, to the tune of a 12g with slugs, so while you might not want to fire it all day, you should be ok for 1 or 2.

I think they're too big to fire offhand unless you're just goofing off, deploy the bipod, sock it in to your shoulder REAL tight, watch scope clearance, and good luck.

Please report back what it's like.
 
Wear lots of ear proteection !!! And ..

don't let anyone not wearing a fireproof suit stand anywhere near you unless they are looking over your shoulder. The 45 deg. angle backward blast created by the muzzle break is massive and not to be toyed with. It saves your shoulder, but does a number on anyting standing next to you.
 
The only .50 I've fired (an Iver Johnson) felt like a 12-gauge loaded with slugs; it's nowhere near as bad as you'd figure, so go have some fun with it.
 
Make sure you have a positive backstop.

A 750 grain bullet is not going to break up and stop after it hits the dirt at a low angle. I would suggest you have a big hill for a backstop, as verticle as possible. Other than that, I am sure you will do fine. I think you are worrying too much. Enjoy!
 
Ditto on the lots of hearing protection. I heard a Grizzly .50 being fired at the local range one day while pulling up in my car. It was a good hundred yards away, I was wearing the foam plug style protectors with the windows shut, and it was still loud as hell. A friend of mine just got a Barrett model 99 and i cant wait to shoot it. I wish he'd buy a damn scope allready......
 
But definitely be courteous and alert the neighbors! It helps to offer a "You're welcome to come watch" sort of invitation, as well.

Art
 
*DEFINITELY!* wear *both* foam earplugs *and* a set of *Magnum*, at least 29db snrr, 'muffs! Like others have said... Those suckers *are* *LOUD!*!!


I'll also `second' the motion made to stand *well* behind the shooter.


Other than that... Have fun! {CHORTLE!}
 
From what I have heard, SDC is right. The recoil is about that of a 12 gauge. However, I was told that concussion will make you feel like your nose just blew off.
 
On my trip to Knob Creek this year, I developed a serious lust for the Barrett semi.

An individual directly in front of me (8 ft. or so) was firing just such a weapon. I too recommend double the hearing protection. I only had plugs and it was serious. The concussion was only dwarfed when a car was denonated. No other non-.50 weapon could top in the sound report area - it regardless of how fast it emptied. Every round rolled his mat up and everyone's close by.

I really wanted to shoot it but I didn't get the chance. Lucky guy you are....
 
I found that the concussion was less for the shooter than for the observer, as the shooter was inside the concussion cone (kind of like the eye of a hurricane) :).

My experience was quite pleasant surprising. The single shot bolt action .50 I shot felt more like a very strong, quick PUSH than a slap like the .30-06 or MN 7.63x54R.
 
If you keep the stock in the pocket of your shoulder it will feel like an M203 or M79 when it recoils, just a bit more impulse than a 12 gauge using slugs. A three inch turkey magnum will kick you harder.
 
Gentlemen. Have read and appreciate all your responses. I now have one further concern. The benchrest is about 150' from the back of the house which has a three section patio door and a very expensive bay window. Is muzzle blast serious enough to cause secondary explosions in the form of glass shattering?

My son is bringing the rifle home tonight and we will shoot it Sat. or Sun., depending on the weather. I will report the results if I am still able to type.

I was mistaken on the brand of the weapon, it is a grizzly .50 not a Barrett. I think this is the rifle that my hero, Burt, used in the movie "Tremors 2".
 
I've stood next to the things without having my bones shatter, so I don't think you have to worry about glass shattering a la "Tremors II". I strongly suspect any modern glass is going to be more than tough enough to take any shockwave. It's a cool film, though. Burt will be back for "Tremors III", but I expect it will be a straight to video release.

Ditto on the noise level, though. Those mo fos will wake up an entire city (another reason they're not a favorite among criminals).

Ditto on the recoil. I've seen little guys fire these things with no problem at the range several times. In addition to the muzzle brake, most of them weigh over 25 lbs. I sure wouldn't want to fire one of those cartridges out of a 8 lb rifle, though!
 
I've shot them both ways...

...braked and unbraked.

The braked ones impart a huge shove. Heed the warnings on concussion, especially on rifles which vent at approx. 45* to the rear...you really have to experience it to believe it. Double ear protection is a must and wear the best eye protection you have...there'll be lots of stuff flying about. That's likely the only thing that will imperil your patio doors or bay window.

For observers, the best place to be is directly behind the shooter.

Unbraked .50BMG rifles of medium or lighter weight will absolutely knock the snot out of your nose, but they are much quieter and less disruptive to the gawkers. :)

I predict you're really going to enjoy the shoot. The big rifles are about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on.

Be sure and give us a range report!
 
My range had a machine gun shoot a couple weeks ago and two M2's were there, they were loud, yes - and the concussion was enormous during full auto fire from even 30-feet away. I only had basic ear muffs on and was fine, not painful at all. There were a couple of patrol cars 175ft behind the shooting line that suffered no ill effects.
 
I am 5'11" and weigh about 215. Although I've never shot a fifty.. I shot a double barrel 10 Gauge with handloaded buckshot, both barrels at the same time. I lost a bet so I had too, I thought it was gonna break my collar bone.. but it really wasnt that bad.. I imagine you should be ok for a few shots...
 
Ive got a Maddi Griffen clone that I built...it's virtually identical to the grizzly. First time I shot it, I too was concerned. After the first shot, I couldnt beleive how the thing recoiled. I ended up running 70 shots through it.

I shoot alot of long range. I also shoot a .300 Mag Sendaro .

It may sound hard to beleive , but my .50 is more pleasant to shoot than the Sendaro. It just pushes you back about 6 inches instead of coming hard against your shoulder.

Dont worry, shoot it and enjoy it. Relax after the first shot and concentrate on your accuracy.
 
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