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2/8/2010 6:49:30 PM EDT
I am considering purchasing a .50 BMG upper, and I was wondering what, if any, issues any of you have had using AR lowers? Do standard lowers hold up, or is it really nessicary to have a special 50 lower? Thanks
2/8/2010 7:09:13 PM EDT
[#1]
No problems, use whatever lower you have.

I bought a california single shot lower just for my 50 just because....
2/9/2010 1:41:27 AM EDT
[#2]
The only thing nice about a dedicated lower is not having to change the lower around.  I have one from THompson Machine, and Chris at Bohica Arms makes a nice Billet steel one.  There are several other also from DPMS, and Stubborn Mule.







2/9/2010 3:20:58 AM EDT
[#3]
I think DPMS no longer makes one. Seems like I read that somewhere recently and I didn't see it on their site. BTW-nice looking lower rbthntr64.
2/9/2010 6:02:39 AM EDT
[#4]
I was actually intending on getting an upper just for the BMG upper, but I had heard(through no one specific person) that using a .50 upper on a standard lower would mess up the takedown pin holes, and cause some other stress problems. I guess the biggest thing is that I can get standard lowers very easily here for cheap, whereas I would have to order a special lower.  So if there wasn't some real issue with using a standard, like stress or breakage issues, then I was going to get a standard lower. If there are, then I'll order a special one.
2/9/2010 9:07:26 AM EDT
[#5]


To my knowledge there have been no facts supporting that, a regular lower is fine.  Maybe some others on here with more experience than me will chime in.

2/9/2010 9:11:35 AM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
I was actually intending on getting an upper just for the BMG upper, but I had heard(through no one specific person) that using a .50 upper on a standard lower would mess up the takedown pin holes, and cause some other stress problems. I guess the biggest thing is that I can get standard lowers very easily here for cheap, whereas I would have to order a special lower.  So if there wasn't some real issue with using a standard, like stress or breakage issues, then I was going to get a standard lower. If there are, then I'll order a special one.


Whoever told you that was full of crap.  Standard lowers, as long as they are in spec, work fine with an 50 BMG upper and the lower is not harmed in anyway.  The lower just contains the Fire Control group and a place to mount the stock and pistol grip.  It doesn't hold any pressure and as long as everything is tight, it isn't battered by recoil.

-David
Edgewood, NM
2/10/2010 6:55:53 PM EDT
[#7]
Well, while we are on the topic here, what I am looking to put on top is one of the safety harbor shtf uppers. Anyone here have a setup like that?
2/11/2010 2:13:26 PM EDT
[#8]
I was very impressed with the quality and precision of Stubborn Mule.  A somewhat tight fit with my Ferret upper.  The takedown pin needs to be tapped out, but it only takes a few light hits.  I consider this ideal because the upper/lower fit is rock solid.
2/12/2010 3:24:57 AM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
Well, while we are on the topic here, what I am looking to put on top is one of the safety harbor shtf uppers. Anyone here have a setup like that?



I do and I love it.
DPMS single shot lower was a snug (but not tight) pin fit when new.
~10,000 rounds later the upper needed a new barrel and muzzle brake -but the lower  pin fit was (and is) still like new.

Using an AR lower is a non-issue with a 50BMG upper.

<edit> if you doubt the mileage I put on the gun: Ask Walter Keller (he makes the UltraMag50) he is familliar with my gun

2/12/2010 7:54:13 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Well, while we are on the topic here, what I am looking to put on top is one of the safety harbor shtf uppers. Anyone here have a setup like that?



I do and I love it.
DPMS single shot lower was a snug (but not tight) pin fit when new.
~10,000 rounds later the upper needed a new barrel and muzzle brake -but the lower  pin fit was (and is) still like new.

Using an AR lower is a non-issue with a 50BMG upper.

<edit> if you doubt the mileage I put on the gun: Ask Walter Keller (he makes the UltraMag50) he is familliar with my gun



yikes!!!! if you bought the ammo new, thats around 30,000 to 50,000 dollars in ammo alone!!! I hope you reloaded them all! how long did it take to expend 10,000+ rounds for you?

2/13/2010 2:40:19 AM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Well, while we are on the topic here, what I am looking to put on top is one of the safety harbor shtf uppers. Anyone here have a setup like that?



I do and I love it.
DPMS single shot lower was a snug (but not tight) pin fit when new.
~10,000 rounds later the upper needed a new barrel and muzzle brake -but the lower  pin fit was (and is) still like new.

Using an AR lower is a non-issue with a 50BMG upper.

<edit> if you doubt the mileage I put on the gun: Ask Walter Keller (he makes the UltraMag50) he is familliar with my gun



yikes!!!! if you bought the ammo new, thats around 30,000 to 50,000 dollars in ammo alone!!! I hope you reloaded them all! how long did it take to expend 10,000+ rounds for you?



I was spending 10 to 30K a year on ammo (back then you could get a box of 100 milsurp 50BMG rounds linked for $119+shipping), reloading, consumeables, etc. for a few years. (including other guns besides just the 50's)
I would guess about two years to put 10K rounds through the Ultramag ...maybe less, I'd have to check dates.
My Ultramag was one of the first ones -it has a single digit serial #  ...so I think I was the first person to wear one out.

When I sent it to Walter for a refurb job (re-parked everything, anodize a custom big-slope scope rail I made for it, new barrel, the new style brake, etc.)
he called me when he recieved it and was like "holy shit! I've never seen anything like this ...ever!"

It had some miles on it

I have the old muzzlebrake that was taken off (I asked to keep it)
It has the pattern of the rifling swirl-cut through the brake from all the plasma hot gas that had blown through it.

It's a pretty cool paperweight
2/13/2010 5:44:42 AM EDT
[#12]
[/quote]

IIt has the pattern of the rifling swirl-cut through the brake from all the plasma hot gas that had blown through it.

It's a pretty cool paperweight [/quote]

Got A pic?
2/13/2010 8:29:21 AM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:...Got A pic?


I don't, but I'll try to remember to take one tonight...
I should have one to post sometime tomorrow.
(I'll try to do good but I'm not a photo-ologist )

2/13/2010 8:21:50 PM EDT
[#14]
I mounted a Bohica upper on my Bushmaster Varminter lower with a Magpul PRS stock and a 2 lb Jard trigger.  It works wonderful with a Nightforce  8-32 X54 NXS scope and mounts on it.  I've run 43 rounds through it so far with no problems and cannot for the life of me see anyway that it could be a problem.  It's just a fun gun to shoot.  


http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/9223/bohica50bmgwith832x56ni.jpg
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/6876/bohicawithnightforce832o.jpg
2/15/2010 11:08:13 AM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:...Got A pic?



Okay, got a couple of good shots... but having trouble with my photobucket account -can't access from work, and home laptop died in a somewhat recent car crash

Anyone who wants can host/post them -PM me and I'll eMail 'em to you...

And THANKS in advance!  (they are cool pics!)

2/15/2010 11:19:04 AM EDT
[#16]
Pug,

I sent you an im with my email.
2/15/2010 11:47:57 AM EDT
[#17]
Quoted:
Pug,

I sent you an im with my email.


Pics sent.  THANKS!!!  
2/15/2010 11:51:26 AM EDT
[#18]


2/15/2010 12:23:18 PM EDT
[#19]
That there is some port erosion...
(sorry 'bout the rust -been siting on a shelf in the garage for a couple of years)  
It's hard to get all the ports in a pic to see the swirl effect, but you can at least tell the pattern is different from hole-to-hole.

2/17/2010 6:55:48 PM EDT
[#20]
Interesting shots.  

I've got this gem coming.  


It'll be my first dedicated lower.  The tacticool parts are going on my existing lower and my un-tacticool cushy grip and stock on this.  The internal mag will be pulled, of course, and a hole drilled for the gas relief port.
2/18/2010 12:05:48 PM EDT
[#21]
I have the biggest Kick-Eeze Sorbothane buttpad on a ACE skeleton stock ...it has worked pretty well.
The buttpad is like a big fat gummy bear.  I love it.
The ACE stock has a roll pin in the lower bar that eventually worked loose... and needed to be re-pinned.

I am glad to hear you're removing the collapsable stock... they may work fine.
But it would only take once for it to not work fine!  
2/19/2010 4:13:42 PM EDT
[#22]
Mine's a PRS with a big Limbsaver on it.  My only gripe with that set-up is that I'm always pulling the rail cover off shooting off the bench.  That's getting set screwed.  The grip is the big ugly Pachmeyer Vindicator.

I've heard the collapsible stocks work, only if permanently through-pinned in place.  

The other lower needs some weight off it, so it works out perfectly.
2/23/2010 8:59:35 PM EDT
[#23]
Mine is also a PRS with a Limbsaver ground down to fit the same profile as the Magpul rubber butplate and a couple of 10 X24 X 1" bolts to hold it on.  It works like a champ and I'm tickled pink with it.  When I first got it I was using a PAST recoil pad on my shoulder but soon found out that I didn't need it at all with the Bohica and the 647 gr API bullets at 2478 FPS out of a 24" barrel.
3/7/2010 2:11:06 PM EDT
[#24]
This is the FAB10 lower I just set up for my Bohica with a fixed mag full of lead.




A couple anti-walk pins and it'll be done.
3/7/2010 3:35:49 PM EDT
[#25]
How are you guys attaching the big recoil pads?  Which pad are you buying and do you have to adapt it?
3/7/2010 5:15:33 PM EDT
[#26]
Those are the special PRS stocks that (are made by?) Cobb for what is now the BA-50 from bushmaster. I ordered one directly from Bushmaster, wholesale is $233 and it's a standard PRS with a special back plate that has a limbsaver pad on it.

I know some have gotten a grind to fit Limbsaver and made some holes in them and then screwed them to factory PRS back plates, but if you consider a PRS is usually $240-260 and a limbsaver is about $30 if you can get a dealer to order you one at 10% markup you will be ahead of the game.




Quoted:



How are you guys attaching the big recoil pads?  Which pad are you buying and do you have to adapt it?

 
3/8/2010 11:24:10 AM EDT
[#27]
You got a good deal with your PRS and recoil pad.  I had to make my own but also made one for a friend from a Limbsaver.  He paid for my Limbsaver and I used my belt sander to make both of them.  I then used 10X24X1 bolts to attach it on top of the old rubber recoil pad.  It works great as long as you don't try to grind down the big Limbsaver.  Use the smaller one.
3/8/2010 1:41:07 PM EDT
[#28]
My PRS was picked up new for $175 and $25 was spent on the grind-to-fit Limbsaver.  The time spent grinding the stock pad into a flat adapter and shaping the Limbsaver were priceless.

If I had some kinda discount hook-up I definitely would've gone for the Bushmaster BA-50 set-up for no other reason but that it looks cleaner.
3/8/2010 5:26:40 PM EDT
[#29]
Quoted:
My PRS was picked up new for $175 and $25 was spent on the grind-to-fit Limbsaver.  The time spent grinding the stock pad into a flat adapter and shaping the Limbsaver were priceless.

If I had some kinda discount hook-up I definitely would've gone for the Bushmaster BA-50 set-up for no other reason but that it looks cleaner.


You must have purchased your Magpul PRS from DSG Arms with a military discount.  That is the only place I've seen that kind of price for them.  I actually enjoyed grinding my Limbsaver to fit the PRS rubber pad. It's not fancy but it works very well and does not look bad.  Getting the pad for free felt pretty good also. Just remember that 10X24X1 inch bolts will go through the Limbsaver and the original pad and connect to the stock.  Just be sure to get it with either Phillips or Allen head.
3/10/2010 7:55:41 AM EDT
[#30]
Quoted:
Quoted:
My PRS was picked up new for $175 and $25 was spent on the grind-to-fit Limbsaver.  The time spent grinding the stock pad into a flat adapter and shaping the Limbsaver were priceless.

If I had some kinda discount hook-up I definitely would've gone for the Bushmaster BA-50 set-up for no other reason but that it looks cleaner.


You must have purchased your Magpul PRS from DSG Arms with a military discount.  That is the only place I've seen that kind of price for them.  I actually enjoyed grinding my Limbsaver to fit the PRS rubber pad. It's not fancy but it works very well and does not look bad.  Getting the pad for free felt pretty good also. Just remember that 10X24X1 inch bolts will go through the Limbsaver and the original pad and connect to the stock.  Just be sure to get it with either Phillips or Allen head.

Actually, it was an Ebay find sold as a display model.  I've been out of the .mil since 1999

It is a good solution for people with a little patience who may already have a PRS.
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