The .50 BMG rifle has become something of a status symbol for gun owners. It’s still the king of all mainstream rifle cartridges, pushing around 13,00 to nearly 15,000 ft. lbs. of energy at the muzzle, with bullet grain weights tipping the scales at 650 to 800 grains. The cartridge itself is physically massive, with nearly 300 grains of capacity in the casing, about measuring about 5.5″ in height.
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But .50 BMG rifles (and ammo) are typically expensive as Hell. Want to own the most recognizable .50 cal, maybe ever? The Barrett M82A1 will set you back a cool $10,000 before taxes and fees. Its modern offspring, the M107, adds about 25% to 50% to the cost, coming in at anywhere between $12,600 and $17,000, depending on options. Even ammo is expensive, averaging, at publication, $6.00 per round. But if you can swing that kind of cash for brass, you, the average gun owner, can, indeed, own a .50 BMG-chambered rifle — and filling out that particular 4473 at the gun counter is surprisingly affordable in 2023. But first, some common myths and questions need clarity.
“I thought owning a .50 BMG was illegal!”
Wrong. Well, mostly wrong: Some states (like California, New Jersey, and other not-so-gun-friendly-locales) have banned ownership of .50-cal centerfire rifles, but at the time of this publication, it’s perfectly legal to own a .50 BMG under federal law.
“Didn’t the ATF restrict .50 BMGs?”
No. In 2018, the geniuses at that agency decided to, as they often do, invent new and imaginary gun laws, even though they’re not legislators nor elected officials. The agency started classifying .50-BMG chambered upper receiver assemblies as firearms. But this doesn’t restrict the sale of those big brass shooters. Some makers’ .50 BMG uppers are now considered firearms, but it depends on the make and model. If the assembly is a bolt action, it’s likely considered a firearm and the maker will typically state this. If that’s the case, you simply need to purchase through a local FFL, or order online and have your assembly sent to an FFL to conduct a transfer. Government ideocracy aside, let’s look at some of the most affordable .50 BMG assemblies and rifles worth buying.
Serbu RN-50: Most Affordable Rifle
The everyman’s .50. The Serbu RN-50 is a compact single-shot barreled upper assembly interfacing with what amounts to a cut down AR-15 lower receiver. The lower still utilizes the AR’s grip, hammer, trigger, and front takedown pin. It also retains the buffer tube housing for installing any typical black rifle stock you prefer. To provide what is, frankly, incredible pricing for any .50 BMG, the RN-50 is about as stripped and primordial as a firearm can be: It’s basically a tube with a grip, handguard, and a threaded cap for the breech. The cap hosts a pass-through firing pin to set the primer off. But the cap needs to be removed and threaded on by hand for every loading and firing sequence, so you’ll be stuck shooting at a musketeer’s pace.
A bit of an inconvenience, sure – but at just over $1,600, this is still a complete .50 BMG rifle that costs less than some “Gucci” AR-15 uppers chambered in boring old 5.56 NATO. Users also report the RN-50 boasts high accuracy, with a quality barrel producing excellent groupings at long distances. It also comes with one helluva muzzle brake to reduce felt recoil. The RN-50’s standard barrel measures 29.5″; plenty of steel for kilometer shots. But if you prefer even more range and velocity, you can shell out an extra $400 and get a 36″ barrel. Inversely, shorten it up and grab a 22″ or 18″ barrel for an extra $125. All barrels are rifled with a 1:15 twist.
Big Kahuna Raptor 50: Most Affordable AR Upper
Don’t want a threaded-breech .50, but instead prefer a bolt action? Already own an AR-15? If the answers are “yes,” and “yes,” then the Raptor 50 upper from Big Kahuna Guns is the ticket. This bolt-action .50 BMG AR upper is still considered downright affordable, just glancing the $2000 price range. While still a single-shot assembly like the RN-50, the Raptor 50’s bolt action receiver makes for much faster and more convenient loading and firing sequences. Plus, it’s just fun to actuate the big ass bolt to extract and load a .50’s casing.
Standard barrels measure 30″, with 22″ and 18.5″ options all rifled in 1:15 and costing the same at retail. The upper features a standard Picatinny rail to host your scope and rings, while the 1-14 RH muzzle threads host an 8-port brake similar to the Serbu’s. The Raptor’s handguard comes with a few M-LOK slots for attachments, with an under-barrel lug for hosting a bipod (sold separately).
Although considered a firearm and thus requiring an FFL transfer, the Raptor 50 pins right into any 5.56 or .223-chambered AR-15 lower receiver assembly, no modifications required. The upper’s bolt makes use of the existent trigger, safety, and hammer, though you can (and should) remove the buffer and recoil spring, and the magazine well is, of course, relegated to acting as a second grip.
Noreen ULR Mini: Most Affordable Bolt-Action
The ULR Mini .50 BMG from Noreen Firearms is on my on my post-Christmas shopping list, any taxes due be damned. At $1,700 with a bolt-action receiver, this compact fireball maker’s one of the downright coolest .50-cal rifles you can get your hands on at a properly “cheap” price. Some will chide this gun for its short barrel (1:15 twist) and light weight. It measures 16.5″ long and weighing 16.5 pounds, respectively. In spite of its brake, the ULR is certain to kick like a mule, and its barrel is far from being long enough to produce nominal velocities – you’ll need at least 28″ to reach optimal speed downrange.
Ballistics aside, the ULR is still plenty capable of producing good accuracy. You’ll be able to easily ring steel at 800 to 1,000 yards and, to be fair, most shooters simply aren’t capable of taking shots beyond a kilometer – even if they’ve got a cannon that’s capable of reaching that far. There is, indeed, a “meme”-like fun factor that comes with owning a .50 BMG rifle, and the big-bang-in-a-small-package ULR Mini Rifle from Noreen epitomizes this.
Safety Harbor “SHTF” 50: Most Affordable Mag-Fed Upper
Safety Harbor Firearms became one of the first mainstream manufacturers of “cheap” .50 BMG uppers. Their latest creation, the magazine-fed SHTF 50, provides the best functionality for the lowest price. It sports a side-loading, five-round box magazine with a bolt action receiver made to be compatible with your existing AR-15 lower assembly. It functions like Big Kahuna’s Raptor, making use of the stock, trigger, hammer, and safety, while ditching the buffer assembly and puny magazine well. Its 1:15-twist barrels are optioned in 22″ and 29″ lengths, with a Picatinny rail, M-LOK slots, front rail for iron sights, and under-barrel bipod mount with a ported brake included. Like all the other entrants on this list, you’ll still need an FFL to grab this upper. Affordable stuff is always good – but if you’re ready to buy a .50 BMG, money might not be an object. If not, check out Zastava Arms’ new .50-cal “Black Bear” M12 rifle.
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