I showed some of the .50 caliber hysteria writings to a co-worker.  It had the desired effect; he now WANTS one.  Dirty trick, wasn't it?

So, what's the cheapest way to build/buy a 50 BMG without having to register it, e.g. an upper for an AR?   Thanks for any help talking this guy into buying one.

PS:  How punishing are they to fire w/o using a muzzle break?  That seems like it would do away with a lot of the expense.

Serbu's BFG-50 is only $1975 for single shot and $2595 for Magazine fed

[img]www.serbu.com/bfg3500-1s.jpg[/img]

[url]http://www.serbu.com/[/url]
their web site has video's of the BFG-50 in action.

The BFG still has a bit of a wait (but definitely getting better).  The M-60 bipod shown in the picture is not included.

As to shooting the .50 without a muzzle brake, be my guest--it's your shoulder and forehead that will get damaged.  Kind of pointless to shoot an accurate gun and develop such a bad flinch that you can't shoot it well.

Prices now--

Watson's Upper $1200
State Arms Shorty (Pic Below) $1800
Serbu $2000
Grizzly $2100
Armalite $2400
Barrett M 99 $2500
Barrett M 95 $5000
McBros $5000
Barrett M 82 $6500
Windrunner $7000

The above are all without optics, and most are without bipod.

Some of the guys at the Ottawa shoot got a chance to shoot my State Arms Knob Creek 2000--very similar to the Shorty below (heavier, non-tapered barrel that is slightly longer).

It is the best deal going right now, as it includes a basic scope base and rings along with an excellent bipod.  

Minimum scope for a .50 is generally regarded as the Tasco SuperSniper scope (can find them for about $300).  They go up from there.  

Ammo--basic price is about $1.50/rd. for re-manufactured Talon Ball ammo.  Prices go up from there.

[img]www.statearms.com/images/Shorty.jpg[/img]

Here's the cheapest .50 I've seen.
[url]http://www.birdman.org/products/jaded.htm[/url]

Also check out the nuclear tip .50 ammo.[url]http://www.birdman.org/products/Nuke50.htm
[/url]

And the Barrett m82 entry gun looks like fun. [:D]
[url]http://www.birdman.org/products/M82entryl.htm[/url]



(edited because I'm to cyper-challenge to do three links at one time [BD])

Nothing about the .50 cal is cheap.  But, as has been mentioned, the Watsons upper, [url]www.watsonsweapons.com/[/url] is the least expensive way to go.  Just order, and wait for the delivery.  I have heard good things about this product, but have no experience with it.  Accuracy is reported to be good, but the breech setup is very slow.  Some use a cordless drill to speed things up.  Don't shoot one (ANY .50 BMG) without a muzzle brake.  There is no registration of .50 BMGs (Non-Class IIIs) at this time.  Also, if your friend is a reloader, it takes a special setup to reload .50 BMG.  

You will never find a better deal than this [:D] : [img]http://securityarms.com/20010315/pics/0800/848.jpg[/img]

Another promissing .50 upper is the Ferret.  This setup is meant to be shoulder fired, like a standard rifle.  It is a bolt action .50 BMG upper.  Going for $1500.00, I believe.  DO NOT SHOOT A .50 BMG WITH OUT A MUZZLE BRAKE!  Especially the lighter rifles, i.e Serbu and this Ferret.  

[url]www.ferret50.com/[/url]

[img]www.ferret50.com/graphics/photos/ferret50_large.jpg[/img]

I'm also interested in taking the plunge into the .50 BMG world.  Here's a link to my .50 BMG comparison chart:  [url]http://www.users.qwest.net/~tholemark/50BMGChart.htm[/url]

The Ferrett50 looks cool, but with such a short barrel I'd think you'd loose quite a bit of velocity.  There is a thread going on over at TheFiringLine.com under the art of the rifle forum as well.

Good chart, but I have a couple of corrections. The State Arms Rebel has a 36" Bull Barrel, not a 30".  The weight is 33#, not 23#.  It is available in a 1-15" or a 1-9.5" twist.

Good to see that some of the prices have dropped since you made up your list, the Grizzly has dropped almost $500, and the Windrunner is down $1k. I love capitalism!

Oh, yeah. Never fire a 50BMG without a brake. Unless it is a 200lb bench gun. I doubt that any MFG would sell a 50 without a brake.

I have had many requests for a longer barrel. So, for those who want, I can sell a Ferret50 with a 30"to 35" barrel.

If you have machine equipment, that is the cheapest way to have a 50 with no paper trail. If you dont have equipment, buying an AR upper is the way to go. Email me if you have any questions. [email protected]