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Where to buy your .50BMG rifle and
ammunition
Due to the decline of the UK firearms industry over the past 10 years, the
number of dealers that carry stock, or are able and willing to import stock of
50BMG rifles is virtually non-existent. It is common practice to convert the .55
Boys anti-tank rifle to .50BMG but this rifle is not inherently accurate and
with increasing prices for what is becoming a quite rare rifle it would be
sacrilege to convert a good condition .55 Boys. A new model 50BMG rifle is
now being manufactured in the UK by RPA
http://www.rpa-eng.com/ (check out the photo gallery) and Accuracy
International continues to make its 50cal rifle
the AW50 . The new Steyr 50BMG and RPA
rifles are available at Minsterley Ranges and the new Nemesis 50 is available
direct from the Swiss manufacturer (see below).
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. If however you are lucky enough to
find someone who will export you a rifle from the US then the good news is that
you do NOT require an import license if you are a UK resident (see copy of
letter from the DTI at the bottom of this page), the US based dealer will ask you for one
but in return all you need do is send him verification of the UK import
regulations from the DTI. A copy of which is displayed at the bottom of this
page. The DTI will be happy to help anyone with other import enquiries as not
many foreign manufacturers or retailers are aware of the UK import regulations. You can expect
to pay $100 for the US export license and $160 for delivery to the UK, delivery
costs from Europe 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 U.K. shooter.
The Nemesis 50, made by
www.AMSD.ch is now available to FCSA UK members
at a reduced rate, the MK1
version sells for just under £3300 making this fantastic value. This rifle
was recently tested by FCSA 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 UK committee 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 UK 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 UK 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 the UK but they are much more
expensive than in the US. I bought mine from
http://www.huntingtons.com/dies_bmg.html for half the
UK price, approximately £150. Huntington's also sell 50BMG case trimmers, bullet
pullers and neck de-burring tools.
High quality 50BMG dies as well as larger calibres such as the .55 Boys and anything up to 20mm are made
by: http://www.ch4d.com. They also manufacture
bullet pullers and lots of other 50BMG case preparation tools.
Ammunition
Ammunition is readily available, often from your local firearms dealer who
will most likely have to order it on your behalf or direct from
Peter Lawman in Northampton, a FCSA
UK member (RFD) who advertises in GunMart - and always carries stock, check out his
website here. Reloading components are also
available with
Hornady A-Max 750 gn bullets available for under £30 for 20.
Peter Lawman sells 50BMG Ball, Tracer and Sniper grade ammunition for around £2.95
- £4.50 each, as well as new cases. Pete and Minsterley Ranges can now supply the new Lapua match grade bullets as well as A-MAX.
Extract from Lapua website follows:
http://www.vihtavuori-lapua.com/riflecenter.asp#BULLEX-N
BULLEX-N
Lapua is proud to present the World’s first true Match-grade .510
caliber bullet tailored fort the .50 BMG caliber long-range target
rifles.
Lapua Bullex-N is designed for long-range target shooting to deliver
extreme accuracy.
Lapua’s patented Lock Base® base shape and rebated boat tail
construction helps to prevent initial faults while bullet leaving from
muzzle in the .50 caliber rifles with heavy muzzle blast.
Bullex-N is easy to load, Lapua’s unique Silver Jacket coating helps
to achieve higher muzzle velocities without excessive chamber
pressures. Clean shape helps also loading; cartridge overall length is
not depended on placement of driving bands. This allows to fit optimum
cartridge overall length to meet each chamber dimensions.
 Left:
50BMG mil surp ball.
Copy of letter from the DTI regarding the import of a 50 calibre rifle
from the USA.
Dear Mr Stevenson
Thank you for your e-mail, received in this office on 30
June 2003.
I can confirm that a .50 calibre rifle consigned from the
USA is not subject to a specific DTI import licence providing you are a
resident within the UK as there is a concession for the personal importation of
firearms, ammunition and component parts consigned from outside the European
Community. This concession is administered by H M Customs and Excise and only
the relevant UK domestic authority need be presented to allow the importation
instead of a specific DTI import licence.
I
hope that this clarifies the matter.
Should you have further queries, however, please do not hesitate to contact
this office.
Yours
sincerely
|
Inge Rõõmussaar |
Department of Trade and
Industry |
|
|
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Import Licensing Branch
Queensway House
West Precinct
Town Centre
Billingham
TS23 2NF |
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Direct Line
+44 (0)1642 364351
Fax
+44 (0)1642 364269
Minicom
+44 (0)1642 364227
Enquiries
+44 (0)1642 364333/334
www.dti.gov.uk
Inge.Roomussaar@dti.gsi.gov.uk |
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