I thinking about a Barrett .50 cal (Vanity)

Me | 7/17/2007 | Wingy

[Wingy]

So I'm thinking about buying a Barrett .50 cal. rifle. I was hoping that several of my Freeper friends could advise me as to the pros and cons of the various models. This is for light target shooting only. I'm not a hunter or sniper. Just a fellow that likes to hang out with the guys and do some plinking. I have a fairly wide verity of rifles and handguns and I think it would be a kick to pull this out.

I've never had the chance to pull the trigger on one of these, so if you have any experience with any Barrett .50 cal with the improved brake, it would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Ps. I hope I've posted this in the right place. If not, could the Mod please put it in the correct spot?

[Shooter 2.5]

I understood what you meant by light target shooting. I also understand why you want one. Years ago, my friends tried to talk me into buying a machine gun. I thought they were out of line since I didn’t like them. Plus, the cost of one was outrageous to me. A whole 800 dollars. Now my chance of getting one is now impossible.

If you want it, get it. It’s an investment if nothing else. I seriously doubt the price will ever go down. You might have a problem someday in feeding it though.

Word of advice. If you ever shoot one, squint your eyes a little. It feels like someone is reaching into your eyesockets and yanking your eyeballs out.

[43north]

You silly Freepers. Light target shooting means he wants something capable of destroying “light targets”... you know, APC’s, log bunkers, Kevlar prairie dogs, that kind of stuff.

“Heavy target” shooting is reserved for 105mm howitzers and larger...

[Fido969]

If you have access to a 600 yard (or plus) range I would say: “Go for it!”

If you have had any problems with recoil, though, you might want to reconsider... I have heard of guys who just shook for hours after letting loose a couple dozen rounds on one of these babies. And at $1.50 a pop, once those shakes start, you’re pretty much done target shootiong for the day.

[GoldCountryRedneck]

If you can afford to do it, don't think, Just Do It!!

Our range had a ".50 Cal Day" with a Barrett which you could shoot for $3.00/ round. I know, outrageous, but... I put 15 rounds through it (there was a line waiting and even that paltry number got some grumblings) and having never fired one, I was impressed.

The action was smooth, the balance was perfect (maybe thanks to the bi pod) and the grips and trigger fell comfortably and crisp.

The sound and concussion was awe-inspiring, yet with the muzzle brake the perceived (and felt) recoil was surprisingly mild. No shoulder bruises at all and I'm not a big kinda' guy (5'9"/155 lbs). My .12 GA ex-police pump (with 00-buck) is brutal by comparison and I'm black,blue, purple, and numb after.

Should I mention that my lady-friend was impressed with my own, ummm, performance later in the evening following that afternoon on the range?

Yeah, has that effect...

Anyway, were I not tuition-challenged and living in Kalifornia, I'd own one just to own one. Its' that kind of firearm...

Gun-porn (just so's we know what we're talking about)

[Hazcat]

Watch what you shoot at ;)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0ABGIJwiGBc

[elkfersupper]

Dayum!

[neb52]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ABGIJwiGBc

[neb52]

I guess I need to finish reading the thread before posting! LOL!

[Tainan]

Now here's a muzzle brake...

From a .30 cal deck gun on a Taiwan Navy Minesweeper.
If you want the Barrett, get it! It will be just as fun to shoot as you think it will be. I'd also recommend reloading your rounds. With this big caliber its pretty easy, and a lot cheaper.
Plus, when/if you decide you've had enough, there is a ready re-sell market among your range buddies. Good Luck!

[xxxolbillxxx]

All I have to say is everyone on here is completely dumber for reading what you wrote! lmao Its basically a larger 30-06 cartridge ? wtf ARE YOU KIDDING ME.... Its a whooooolllleee nother ball game man.. Aparently you haven't fired a Barrett 50cal or 416, because if you had then you would know better than to make that statement.... And Ive never seen a 30-06 make a mile shot, so hmmm ,, Barrett 50cal is the best of the best, biggest and baddest, there isn't even a gun that can compare.. Please don't write stuff on the forum when you are totally clueless about what is being talked about... Needless to say.. The 50cal semi auto is the way to go as of right now, but there are rumors that they will be coming out with the 416 semi auto really soon, only problem is is ammo, ammo is scarce and you better get ur hands on it fast...But if you are looking for a cheaper way to go, go with the Barrett 99 50cal, they make it in 416 but ammo is REALLY REALLY REALLLY scare, also the Barrett model 99 is just as accurate if not the most acurate of all the Barretts and is to 6 thousand less than some of the other Barrett rifles.... And I don't know what you call light armor RICKDYLAN but my Barrett model 99 416 with Barrett \(normal 653gr bullets) went right through a 2 and a half inch steel plate at 500yrds, and u can only imagine what it would do with a armor piercing round (which arn’t hard to find. So if you don't know what your talking about and apparently you don't, please just don't respond because you just make a fool out of yourself. Thanks, xxxolbillxxx

[xxxolbillxxx]

cheap 50 cal rounds if you can find em are around4.59,,, but good luck finding them

[rickdylan]

YOU’re the one who is clueless. The 50 is a stupid gun. The ONLY thing it can do which a 300 or 270 magnum can’t is kill things behind walls or light armor and for that you’d be better off with an rpg or a 50 or 70mm recoilless rifle, which wouldn’t weigh any more. The 50 Browning cartridge is in fact just a scaled up 30-06, and not a modern cartridge case.

[jeddavis]

The guy's basically right, here's what the 06 and 50bmg cartridges look like:

30-06

50

Pretty much the same other than for size.

Modern cartridges, various WSM

The difference isn't that hard to see.