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Where to buy your .50BMG rifle and ammunition
Although gaining world wide
popularity, the 50BMG rifle is still a rare sight at
most gun dealers. Over the years many anti-tank type
rifles have been converted to 50BMG but these rifles are
not inherently accurate and with increasing prices for
what is becoming a quite rare class of historical rifle
it would be sacrilege to convert a good condition WWII
anti-tank rifle!
However the good news is
that there have recently been several new 50BMG rifles
manufactured by Swiss, UK and European producers. The
new Nemesis 50 is available direct from the Swiss
manufacturer (see below). In the UK a new model 50BMG
rifle is now being manufactured by RPA
http://www.rpa-eng.com/ and Accuracy International
continues to make its pricey (and not that comfortable)
50cal rifle the AW50 .
Importing a rifle or parts
kit direct from the USA appears to be nearly impossible
following recent changes to the US export regulations
covering anything that looks remotely military or
50BMG. You can expect to pay $100 for the US
export license and $160 for delivery to Switzerland,
delivery costs from the UK are approximately 70E.
Check out these links to
50BMG rifle manufacturers, many more exist but these
have been selected because of their availability to the
Swiss shooter.
The
Nemesis 50, made by
www.AMSD.ch is now available to FCSA (Swiss)
members at a reduced rate, the
MK1
version sells for just under £3300 making this
fantastic value. This rifle was recently tested by
FCSA Swiss and UK members and a British Army
representative, the concluding statement was that
this is one of the best (in terms of functionality
and accuracy), THE most comfortable and practical,
50 caliber rifle ever used by the FCSA Swiss and
UK committees and the Army representative.
There are three
versions available, the basic MK1 can be easily
upgraded to the deluxe MK3 with the addition of bolt
on components at a later date if required (all
photographs on this site are of the MK3). For
detailed specifications please
click here and cost to FCSA Swiss members click
here.
Fortmeir/Steyr
www.50BMG.de
(A now
defunct site in German only, Fortmeir rifles
exhibited at the IWA, a friendly and very helpful
manufacturer, site now appears to only have contact
info by fax, Heinrich Fortmeir, if you read this
please get in touch!)
Left: For those on a budget...
The
Fortmeir 2003 rifle (Almost the same as the new
Steyr rifle) with Versapod and Leupold 6.5-20 x 50
Longrange M1 scope on US Optics mount. The FCSA UK
is currently looking to obtain spares for this model
rifle, please contact us if you have any
information.
Big Valve
www.leader-trading.com Click
on Waffen>Lang>Sniperbuchsen>Saxonia
(German, check
out the 'Big Valve' 50BMG rifle in the region of
£3000)
Accuracy
International AW50
http://www.accuracyinternational.com/
|
Caliber |
0.50 BMG (12.7x99) |
|
Barrel length |
27ins (690mm) |
|
Rifling twist |
1 turn in 15 inches |
|
Magazine capacity |
5 shot |
|
Weight (no sight, empty magazine) |
30lb (13.5kg) |
|
Overall length & folded length |
53.3" (1350 mm), 43.5" (1105 mm) |
|
Normal tactical range
|
1600yds (1500m) |
The following are
U.S. based manufacturers, however these rifles have been
seen on Swiss and European ranges:
Spider
Firearms: Ferret 50
http://ferret50.com/
(Very
interesting M16/AR15 50BMG upper receiver and barrel
kit, the manufacturer claims no problems with export
as it doesn't include a lower)
Barrett (bolt
action)
Not often seen 'new'
anymore but a few do exist in the UK
www.barrettrifles.com
Left: Bolt action Barrett Model 95
with 5 shot magazine.
Specs for the Model 95, the larger
Model 99 does not have a magazine, has a 32" barrel
and weighs 25 lbs.
|
Caliber |
.50 BMG (12.7 X 99mm) |
|
Chamber |
Chambered for commercial and MATCH
ammunition |
|
Operation |
Bolt action |
|
Barrel Length |
29 inches (73.67 cm) |
|
Rifling Twist |
1 turn in 15 inches (38.1 cm) |
|
Rifle Weight |
22 pounds (10 kg) |
|
Overall Length |
45 inches (114.3 cm) |
Big Bertha
www.statearms.com
|
Caliber |
0.50 BMG
(12.7x99) |
|
Barrel length |
36" Bull |
|
Rifling twist |
1 in 15" Walther
Target |
|
Weight (no
sight) |
41lb (40 lb with
tactical stock) |
|
Bipod |
State Arms Heavy
Duty Bipod
|
|
Stock |
Special Tactical
or Custom
Laminated Stock
|
|
Muzzle Break |
Heavy Duty 3"
Fish gill muzzle
brake
|
|
|
|
Reloading Kit -
also see the
Reloading Section
RCBS reloading dies can be
obtained in Switzerland but they are much more expensive
than in the US. I bought mine from
http://www.huntingtons.com/dies_bmg.html for half
the European price, approximately EUR210. Huntington's
also sell 50BMG case trimmers, bullet pullers and neck
de-burring tools.
Lee Precision now also make
dies for the 50BMG cartridge.
Ammunition
Ammunition is readily
available, often from your local firearms dealer who
will most likely have to order it on your behalf.
All reloading components are also readily available in
Switzerland, contact the club secretary for a list of
suppliers.
Extract from Lapua website
follows:
http://www.vihtavuori-lapua.com/riflecenter.asp#BULLEX-N
 Left:
50BMG mil surp ball. |
