Big Boomer .50 BMG Boasts Impressive Half-MOA Accuracy
A few seasons ago, Texas gunsmith Richard King built an impressive .50 BMG target rifle for a customer. Equipped with a beefy McMillan stock, this rig has delivered some very impressive accuracy. Check out that target shot during the break-in. Using On Target software, we measured this 3-shot group at 0.476″ or 0.454 MOA. Not bad for a beast with VERY serious recoil. Could you beat that 0.476″ with your AR15 shooting puny .223-caliber bullets?
Compare the dimensions of that massive 50-Cal action to a Rem 700 action in the middle. When you’re shooting a Fifty, size matters!
On Facebook, some folks were surprised a guy could wring that kind of accuracy out of a monster .50 BMG. One wag posted: “Yikes! He will need flinch therapy after shooting that beast.”
Another Facebooker joked: “When shooting a .50 BMG, you say…In your best Crocodile Dundee voice…that’s not a gun, THIS is a gun!”
Richard King responded that this customer has quite a bit of experience with jumbo-caliber rifles: “Remember, this is the guy that shot a .338 Lapua in a two-day F-Class match. Recoil might actually be easier on this 50, given the fact that it has more weight and a brake.”
Richard King showed us the monster 13-lb BAT action for this rifle at the 2018 Berger SWN. Honestly, the big BAT .50 BMG action was HUGE — with the bolt fully extended, it was the size of your forearm (to the fingertips). Richard joked, “This weighs almost as much as an F-TR rifle (before optic) all by itself.”
Specialty Tools for the Big .50 BMG
Yes, this is one huge cartridge. Thankfully, there are some special tools for loading the jumbo-size round. Giraud Tool produces a specialty comparator for the 50-Cal cartridge. The double-ended .50 BMG comparator is quite versatile. In one orientation you can measure base-to-ogive bullet length and also measure cartridge OAL from rim to bullet ogive. When reversed, you can use the comparator to measure cartridge headspace. Priced at $33.00, Giraud 50 BMG Comparator gauge is constructed of 303 stainless and fits most any vernier, dial, or digital caliper. CLICK HERE for more info.
Tags: BAT action, ELR, Giraud Comparator Gauge, Richard King
