I was privileged to be able to fire a .50 sniper rifle.
I can truly say it is a moving experience. I was conscious the first time that I sat in a pocket of relative calm between the back blast of the muzzle brake and the combustion chamber which was next to my ear.(It was a bull-pup breechloader). Pulling the trigger took a degree of fortitude and quite frankly I cannot recall the rifle firing. And of course I did it again!
you can go deaf while smiling 8^)
Lucky you! I’d do it too!