Gunfighter

Semper_Fi · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 397 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

The Bushmaster Regional Tech. Rep. came through Houston and we put 850 grain BMG metal down range with the Bushmaster/Cobb .50 caliber masterpiece. 30" floated barrel and 10 round mag.

www.bushmaster.com

robert · Site Admin Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 50 Location: Houston

I saw it at the Shot Show....what did you think about it?? How did it compare to the Barrett?

ScottM · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 23

It really isn't as clean looking as the Barrett, but the left hand bolt with the rollers is very smooth. I don't know which is better, they're just a little different. I know the Barrett gets more manageable once you shoot it for a while, you can shoot it offhand, but obviously not the preferred shooting position, just as a novelty for myself and some buddies. How'd the Bushmaster shoot?

Semper_Fi · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 397 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Prior to Bushmaster's acquisition of Cobb Engineering, Cobb had invested many years and over $2 million of R&D into its .50 caliber systems. Bushmaster brought the Cobb platform up to Bushmaster standards and performed extensive field testing and fine tuning before bringing the Bushmaster/Cobb .50 cal to market. I fit a 42x NightForce/LaRue optic and GG&G heavy bipod on the system and the dozen or so 24" 600 yard hits felt stable and repeatable. The system is professional grade and I'm sure Bushmaster will have great success with this system.

Here's the but:

Ronnie Barrett and his team at Barrett Rifles have dedicated themselves since 1982 to providing our troops and law enforcement agencies with simple, very rugged bolt action and semi-automatic .50 caliber systems. Ronnie and his managers are constantly in the field listening to troops, LE agencies and civilian shooters and continue to improve their systems. Barrett has pioneered many areas of weapons, optics and ballistics technology and check out the BORS sighting system at www.barrettrifles.com. Technology similar to BORS has been in the field for some time, is now available to the public, and takes a lot of the guess work out of long shots.

I'll stay with the Barrett 95 bolt action system and would recommend the Model 82A1 to civilian shooters would want semi-automatic fire. Our military has thousands of Barrett M107 semi-automatic .50 cals in the field and they are putting a hurtin' on the BG's.

Hooyahh...

ScottM · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 23

I've always heard great things about the 95, any idea which can seems to work the best on a .50? I know a little about the AWC and I believe John's Guns did one that was actually used on the Cobb I saw at SHOT 2 years ago.

Semper_Fi · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 397 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

I've seen a few .50 cal suppressors and am familiar with John's suppressor. John's cans are well made, easy to disassemble and clean, and purportedly reduce the Model 95's report by 70%.

Regarding recoil compensators, Barrett and JP Rifles are outstanding.

ScottM · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 23

As far as muzzle brakes for smaller calibers, a friend of mine who is a Master Guns at Pendleton swears by the brake that Barry Dueck at Sure Fire does, it takes their can quickly and when you've got the can off of the gun there's virtually no muzzle rise. I may have to try that one next.
I need to pick up another .50 bolt gun (I've sold the ones I've had) so I can put a suppressor on one, it's very cool to hear the gun fired. Unfortunately, if you put a can on a SASR it voids the warranty.
I'll have to look into Johns Guns .50 can more.

Semper_Fi · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 397 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

The Surefire combination muzzle brake/suppressor is well engineered and well made. The quick disconnect docking system is stout and locks in very well. I've seen the 5.56 version and the largest caliber muzzle brake/suppressor system Surefire manufactures at this time is .338.

Surefire made a good move in bringing Barry Dueck on board and I look forward to their .50 caliber muzzle brake/suppressor system getting to the market. www.surefire.com

Morris · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 99 Location: Seattle Metro Area

What's a running price on the BM model (for us cheapskate fools who wish for a Barrett)?

Semper_Fi · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 397 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Professional grade .50 caliber bolt action systems start at about $3,000.00 and semi-automatic systems begin at about $8,000.00 plus hardware and electronics options.

Using today's technology, a complete Barrett M82A1 shooter/spotter 2,000 yard set-up with full Gen II NVD capability and shooter/spotter com links will cost about $25,000.00 to get started.

Other anti-asset rounds are being developed but the 950 grain .50 caliber HE/AP BMG round remains the most effective equipment buster on the planet, and pound for pound today's .50 cals are the most effective shoulder fired, hand portable convoy stoppers.

Using high speed DOD cameras, test rack mounted, running truck and passenger car engines have been filmed getting hit by 950 grain HE/AP rounds from different angles and distances. Post-detonation footage and photographs are most impressive and these rounds are indeed one-shot engine killers.

beta4 · Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 2 Location: texas

As to 50 BMG rifles, there is a garden variety out there. I will have a new Bushmaster (built on the Cobb design) in my hands shortly. I shoot competitively and regularly at 1000 yards and have had the pleasure over the years to shoot most every manufacturer fo the 50 BMG rifle. This includes all Barretts, McMillans, Cobbs, Spider Ferret 50, Armalite, Advanced LLS, the LAR Grizzley, EDM, Watson and a variety of custom bench rifles, to name a few. I have also owned and shot extensively the "ma duece" 50 BMG Browning machine gun which is a blast but the ammo is expensive for an afternoon. I currently shoot an Armalite single with a nightforce bench 22x42 and have placed rather well in the recent matches. I recently sold my McMillan tactical 5 shot repeater in lieu of the Bushmaster coming. I am anxious to shoot it and will let everyone know how it performs.

There are matches around the U.S. monthly and the world championship is in July in Raton, NM. You can get into this sport for couple thousand or spend as much as you like. A decent single shot with quality optics and accessories will put you in the $4000-4500 range or so. Just like any other sport, you can spend stupid. I also have and possess a wealth of info on 50 BMG rifles, suppliers and gurus that I will share with reasonable folks.

happy shooting at 1000 yards plus.

Darcy · Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 11

I am in the market for a 50 BMG. After having a looked around for the last year I thought I finally had decided on the short barreled Barrett 82A1CQ. I know the short barrel will compromise the 1000 yard shots but I kind of like the idea of it being a little bit more maneuverable than the M82A1. However, today I discovered that on Tuesday there will be 200 new military issue M107s being released for the public to purchase. The gross cost difference is about $1000 but the M107 comes with both a spiked bipod and a monopod and an extra magazine resulting in a net difference of about $500. Both come with a pelican case. The only real difference that I am aware of between the M82A1 and the M107 is the M107 is stamped "For Military Use Only" or something like that, therefore it's about $500 for the "cool" factor of the stamping but it could also possibly have value as a collectors item in the future.

Any thoughts on this?

Ron

Semper_Fi · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 397 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Darcy,
Barrett M82A1 and M107 rifles employ the same receiver, trigger assembly and barrel metallurgy. Both are military issue as designated by the 'M' prefix.

The M107 is an updated version of the M82A1 and has a redesigned ramp, rail system and flash suppressor.

Regarding the sale of new M107s to the public, something doesn't sound right about that so exercise full due diligence before laying your $ down.

The civilian Barrett 82A1 is the standard by which professional grade, semi-automatic .50 caliber rifles are measured and the 20" barrel provides good accuracy to about 500 yards.

The primary role of short barreled, semi-automatic .50 caliber rifles is to penetrate short range reinforced, hardened and/or laminated targets. If the objective is to stop a vehicle or neutralize an asset (water buffalo, shielded electrical systems, etc.) with minimal exposure, the .50 cal is one of the best weapons available pound for pound.

If you seek high accuracy past 700 yards consider the 29" barrel 82A1 and if a bolt action system fits your requirements, consider the Barrett 95.

www.barrettrifles.com

beta4 · Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 2 Location: texas

I shot the Bushmaster/Cobb at the 2008 world championships in Raton and what a sweet 50 to shoot. First time I had shot it and set my tuned in Armalite aside for the match, shooting in 2 classes. My ammo was screwed up as the bullets were seated too deep so I had a "high flyer" about every 3rd round or so and ended up shooting the poorest in any match ever. Bummer, and my fault but the Bushmaster performed flawlessly. Much smoother than the original Cobb and it has an action as smooth as a McMillan. The magazine seemed a lot easier to load than the McMillan or the Barrett. I have owned and/or shot all the magazine fed 50s and this one is the easiest to handle and use. Little recoil and very quick on the next round. The next match I will have my ammo together so look for better results out of the Bushmaster. Disclaimer - this is only my opinion and is not the opinion of any other person or any organization that I am a member.

Darcy · Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 11

Semper Fi,

Thanks for the input.

I did contact Barrett direct and they have confirmed that they will be releasing 200 of the M107's.

They also told me that there is considerably less kick with the 29" barrell so I think I will get the M107.

Have you any experience with the BORS system?