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Posted: 9/9/2008 1:22:27 PM EDT
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I was able to get out today and fire a few rounds from my new Bushmaster BA-50. It has an IOR Bucharesti 10x56 scope, which has amazing clarity for it's price, and an etched reticle to stand up under the heavy recoil. I had some APIT reloads that I was going to try for sight in, but since someone caught the berm on fire a few days ago, now be not allowed. I set up at the 300 yard line and got sighted in. Time to shoot for a group. First, I used some 690 gr AP by Hunting Shack of Montana. This is "new" ammo using what looks like a pulled GI projectile. The 6-shot group measured outside to outside about 4-1/2", with mostly vertical stringing. There was one flyer, not shown in the photo. After a quick bore clean and a couple of fouling shots, I chambered the HSM 750 gr AMAX. The 5-shot group measured about 3-1/2", with no flyers. Interestingly, the point of impact changed dramatically. Instead of being 3-1/2" low, like the AP, the AMAX group was about 7-1/2" high, for a total elevation difference between the groups of 11". The AMAX is one flat shooting projectile! The workmanship, fit, and finish of the rifle couldn't be better. Bolt function, feeding, and ejection were flawless. The trigger worked well, having no creep and a crisp break around 8#. Recoil was stout, but manageable. The only thing negative that I could say about the BA-50 is that it is heavy, like 30# heavy. Luckily, I don't have to carry it very far, and the case that came with it has wheels. I am quite pleased with the performance of both my Bushmaster BA-50 rifle, and the Hunting Shack of Montana ammo.  
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I'll get some photos up in a few days. It was pretty easy to bore sight. I removed the lower and set the upper on sandbags. After removing the bolt, I just looked through the bore and made adjustments to the scope until it looked as right as I could get it. My first shot was about 1' low and 1' left, so after an adjustment or two, it was done! I now wish that I had a scope with 1/8 minute adjustment increments instead of 1/4. |
I was looking at a pentax with 1/8 adjustments and was thinking I should just go with the 1/4. I guess I might just get the pentax afterall. BTW, I ordered it today. Two weeks or less. Thanks for the info on it! |
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If you are going to spend the scratch on the Pentax, why not just go ahead and get a proven 50 BMG scope like a Leupold Mark 4 in 4.5-14, 6.5-20, or 8.5-25? You can get one of the those for $600 to $1000 depending upon magnification and i'll definitely work on a 50 BMG. I dunno about the Pentax. Great optics but they're not 50 BMG proven. -David Edgewood, NM |
I can get the pentax for $400, and it's 8.5-32x44. The Leupold Mark 4 is also on the list though. |
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That sounds like a good deal on the Pentax. I was just warning you of my concern that it might fail due to 50 BMG recoil. Better have a solid warranty & service dept. If you do go with the Pentax, let us know how it works out. There is a pretty short list of scopes out there than can stand up long term to 50 BMG recoil with the most prominent being Leupold Mark 4, Nightforce, US Optics, S&B, Swarovski, and Supersniper. Some would add certain top-end Bushnells to the list but I wouldn't. I personally use Nightforce. -David Edgewood, NM |
Lots of scope companies will say their scope is 50 OK. That doesn't mean crap unless they'll replace it when it breaks. And it may break pretty darn often on a 50. Even Leupold Mark 4's and Nightforces sometimes break on a 50. Rarely, but they do. Both of those companies stand behind their product and will promptly fix or replace them if they break. -David Edgewood, NM |
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Supersniper 20x42 Optics are not as good as the Pentax but the adjustments are repeatable, 110 MOA of elevation adjustment available, it will hold up to a 50 BMG pretty well, and if it quits, SWFA has been good about repairing them, after which they are more reliable. I've had two of the 20x42 Supersnipers. One was my first 50 BMG scope on my State Arms. I sold it within a few months and bought a NF NXS 5.5-22. Never had any problems with the Supersniper but only used it for about 100 rounds. The second 20x42 Supersniper I had came with my AR-30 338 Lapua. I replaced it within a month with an 8.5-25x50 Leupold Mark 4. One good thing about the supersnipers...I bought the first one for $300 and then sold it a few months later for $280 on Ebay. The second one I bought as part of a rifle, reloading, brass, etc 338 Lapua package so I didn't really have anything in it. Sold it to a friend for $250. They do hold their value pretty well and will get you some trigger time while you save for a better scope. -David Edgewood, NM |
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