which .50 cal to buy.

[flynhghr2001]

After years of saving i can finally afford a .50 cal. I have narrowed it down to a EDM Windrunner M96 and a Barrett M82A1. I was wondering what people could tell me about these 2 weapons.

[Crpdeth]

Semi auto VS Bolt

I guess it would come down to what you are going to use it for, are you going to be shooting in competitions?...Either way I'm envious.

Personally, I'd go for the Barrett because of their reputation.


Crpdeth

[southernshooter]

I have shot 2 50 bmg in my life one was a single shot bolt and one was a semi-auto
They both are good guns but personally the semi-auto wins hands down or at least that is what my shoulder said to tell you

[Crpdeth]

Originally Posted by southernshooter

...or at least that is what my shoulder said to tell you

[Pistolenschutze]

The only .50 BMG I've had opportunity to fire is the Barrett, and I must say, I was most impressed. Face it, folks, the .50 BMG is a VERY powerful round, arguably among the most powerful ever chambered in a rifle. Consequently, it kicks like an old angry mule on a bad hair day. To me, the only configuration that makes any real sense--assuming you want to fire more than a couple of rounds on a given day--is the recoil-dampening semi-auto. Both the rifles you named, flynhghr, are indeed magazine-fed semis. I would go with the Barrett simply because of its outstanding reputation.

[pickenup]

If I could find one around here, that I could buy FTF,
(at the right price ) I would buy the Barrett.

I like that he quite selling to LEOs in Calif, because of their policies, too.

[Crpdeth]

Originally Posted by Pistolenschutze

Both the rifles you named, flynhghr, are indeed magazine-fed semis. I would go with the Barrett simply because of its outstanding reputation.

Thanks for clearing that up Rich, guess I was blowing steam again...I was thinking the EDM Windrunner M96 was a mag fed bolt gun.

I'd still go with the Barrett.

Originally Posted by pickenup

I like that he quit selling to LEOs in Calif, because of their policies, too.

That was definately part of my thought process as well.

Crpdeth

[Pistolenschutze]

Originally Posted by Crpdeth

Thanks for clearing that up Rich, guess I was blowing steam again...I was thinking the EDM Windrunner M96 was a mag fed bolt gun.

Donny, nope, my bad, you are correct and I was the one in error. The EDM Windrunner M96 is indeed a magazine-fed (5-round) bolt action design. EDM does also make a semi-auto as well, which is what I was thinking of it would seem. I should never depend on my memory at this age! For that matter, Barrett too makes a bolt action, the Model 95, in bullpup configuration, but the Mod 82 is semi-auto. Whatever the case, I would still choose the semi-auto over the bolt because of the reduced recoil if for no other reason, and the Barrett over the EDM for its quality reputation. And yeah, I agree, what Barrett told those idiots in California got a "right on" from me as well!

[seward]

..

[Pistolenschutze]

Originally Posted by seward

What is the most practical use for this caliber ?

Depends on exactly what you mean by "practical," Seward. For the military and police, it is frequently used as a long-range, very deadly, sniper rifle. For civilians, it's mostly used for long-range competition shooting and plinking. The accurate range on these weapons is astounding. A 3000 yard accurate shot is quite possible.

[JohnK3]

Punching holes in paper.

I'd not hunt with it. Nor would I use it as a self-defense round. If I was in the military, I'd use it to take out unexploded ordnance and send BGs to their heavenly rewards from a LONG ways away.

But, as I am a civilian and won't be shooting unexploded mortar shells, etc. I think I'll stick with making holes in paper from a very long ways away.

[Pistolenschutze]

Originally Posted by JohnK3

Punching holes in paper.

Yup, very BIG holes.

[Bruce FLinch]

Originally Posted by pickenup

If I could find one around here, that I could buy FTF,
(at the right price ) I would buy the Barrett.

I like that he quite selling to LEOs in Calif, because of their policies, too.

Ron Barrett also refuses to service the Kal L.E. owned Barrett rifles. Now that's a Business Man w/ some guts!

[hoser1]

I've only ever shot one, the M2HB,
and got to hold a Armalite at the pawn shop. ($2,500)
I've never seen the Barrett or the EDM in person.
I was impressed with the Armalite!!!!

[stash247]

Ronnie Barrett, for those who have not heard, told the Chief of the LAPD, that, based on the position of the Mayor, and others, that the 'local yokels' had no need of such weapons, that, if they would like the rifles they had in his shop, for repair/service, they would need to come and pick them up, as he was no longer shipping, to Ca!
The guy has no problem putting his money where his mouth is!
How would this affect the treatment one would recieve, in warranty service, do you suppose?
The US Military likes the product, and they are a tough crowd!
Were I to 'get the bug', for such a rifle, he is the only source I would consider!

[teacherboy]

While I have no real need for the 50 it sure is intriguing to read about them. I just picked up the Barrett magazine the other day. Wow is all that I can say. What an amazing weapon. I would love to have one but I don't know of a range in my state where I could truly use it's capabilities. The 416 Barrett is even more interesting. Great guns and awesome holes!

[pickenup]

Originally Posted by teacherboy

I don't know of a range in my state where I could truly use it's capabilities.

Range?
I don't plan on using no range.
I'm setting targets on one mountain top, then driving over to the next one to shoot the targets. Will use a telescope to check the targets. You have to set up enough targets to make it worth while.

Just funnin ya teacherboy.
There is a range around here that has 1000 yard targets, but I WOULD (at some point) be wanting to try shots farther than 1000 yards.

[teacherboy]

Have you seen the military videos where the sniper is picking off Taliban soldiers on the mountains? If you haven't its a tremendous show of the 50's power. These guys were literally exploding.
I'd love to try the 50 at least once. To hit something at that distance would be quite fun. Good luck.

Originally Posted by pickenup

Range?
I don't plan on using no range.
I'm setting targets on one mountain top, then driving over to the next one to shoot the targets. Will use a telescope to check the targets. You have to set up enough targets to make it worth while.

Just funnin ya teacherboy.
There is a range around here that has 1000 yard targets, but I WOULD (at some point) be wanting to try shots farther than 1000 yards.

[stash247]

Barrett builds a bolt gun, too! His semi is the accuracy 'benchmark' for other builders, but, I have it on pretty good authority, that the bolt gun is in fact, the better shooter; also, the 'recoil champ'!
Reports from Afghanistan, and Iraq, indicate effective (1 Shot) use, of both, at ranges exceeding 2300 meters, by trained operators, supported by accutate ranging (laser), and accurate conditions(spotter). FWIW, this is about 1 7/16 miles, and we're talking "Hit the bottle, and blow the cork out", kinda shots, on exposed human targets! At a mile and a half!
As an 'anti-materiel' weapon, they can stop a convoy of 'technicals' from over two miles!

[berto64]

I have mine stashed in a secret place in my bedroom.

A Connecticut Valley Arms 50 cal. It's a hoot to shoot. Gotta wait fer a breezy day tho or you'll never know if ya hit anything or not. That charcoal sure makes a lot of smoke.

It is a tack driver, have won a coupla meat shoots out here in the high desert. No trophies or such just a roast or a mess of pork ribs on occasion.

[Altieb]

I know this thread is kinda old, but I wanted to add that in my mind, the EDM and the Barrett are two different kinds of weapons. The Barrett is more of a spray and pray kind of rifle. Don't get me wrong, its not inaccurate. But it is also not surgical in the way that the EDM is. So I think, while you cannot go wrong with either, if you are oriented toward precision shooting, the EDM is probably the better rifle. And while I have never heard of a quality complaint with EDM, I cannot argue with the point that Barrett has a longer and deeper history and track record.

[bluesea112]

Teacherboy, it turns out that the video you spoke of was a fake. From what I understand, the video was made by a couple of varmint hunters shooting at rodents with a long range varmint rifle.

[Mosin_Nagant_Fan]

Ya, I figured they where something like small goats because a .50BMG wouldn't make a man spontaneously explode like that.

[Gene Seward]

This is one Seward that would go with the Barrett for the reputation that it has. You are one lucky person to have even gotten to the point of trying to decide. The .50 may come in very handy someday.

[stash247]

Gene, I never met Ronnie Barrett, but the elite of the special ops folks, the Navy SEALS, seem to like his work, and turn in more than 'credible' results, with it, often, at more than a mile.
I like Ronnie's attitude, towards the Republik of Kalifornia, and would, given the funds, and need, buy his product based on that, alone!
I do business first, with folks who do business with me, folks I know, folks I like, and trust; Barrett is only one of these, (I trust him) but it is enough that he has the public 'balls', to tell a very profitable market to basicaly 'kiss his a**' over their politics.
Principle over profit; a rare scenario, in business, but, at work, here!