• Here is a link to the full explanation: https://rollitup.org/t/welcome-back-did-you-try-turning-it-off-and-on-again.1104810/

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NewtoMJ

NewtoMJ

Well-Known Member
desert dude said:
It's an energy problem. The .50 cal has lots of energy. Smaller calibers have much less. Even at long range the .50 cal delivers devastating energy to a target. During Vietnam, US soldiers used the Browning machine gun as a sniper rifle for long range sniping. It is simply the best sniper round possible in a semi-practical rifle.

E=(MV^2)/2

Nobody shoots a sniper rifle at a hard target (tank, APC, etc) at long, or even short range.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.50_BMG
A common method for understanding the actual power of a cartridge is by comparing muzzle energies. The .30-06 Springfield, the standard caliber for American soldiers in both World Wars and a popular caliber amongst American hunters, can produce muzzle energies between 2,000 and 3,000 foot-pounds of energy (between 3 and 4 kilojoules). The .50 BMG round can produce between 10,000 and 15,000 foot pounds (between 14 and 18 kilojoules), depending on its powder and bullet type, as well as the weapon it was fired from. Due to the high ballistic coefficient of the bullet, the .50 BMG's trajectory also suffers less "drift" from cross-winds than smaller and lighter calibers, making the .50 BMG a good choice for high-powered sniper rifles.
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The most use I've seen the .50 get is against hard targets. Engine blocks and concrete. The calculation of energy works in a vacuum. Temperature increases or decreases air density, and humidity increases drag. There are classified rounds in use with longer projectiles that have smaller diameters, these rounds retain their energy but decrease atmospherics on the ballistics. If I have to fire outside of effective range, I'm not going to choose a larger caliber. The increased forward surface area increases the unknowns. In one shot situations, knowing as much as possible is key.
 
desert dude

desert dude

Well-Known Member
NewtoMJ said:
The most use I've seen the .50 get is against hard targets. Engine blocks and concrete. The calculation of energy works in a vacuum. Temperature increases or decreases air density, and humidity increases drag. There are classified rounds in use with longer projectiles that have smaller diameters, these rounds retain their energy but decrease atmospherics on the ballistics. If I have to fire outside of effective range, I'm not going to choose a larger caliber. The increased forward surface area increases the unknowns. In one shot situations, knowing as much as possible is key.
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I am not going to snipe at anybody with anything, so this is just an academic curiosity for me. The longest range, successful kills by snipers have all been done with the .50 cal, though. That makes quite a statement.
 
VTMi'kmaq

VTMi'kmaq

Well-Known Member
see4 said:
Yes, I got my Beowulf and BMG confused for a moment. They are both calibers that are completely unnecessary. You get better accuracy at long range with a 338 Lapua, and even a 308 Win. BMG and Beowulf are good for putting holes in armored vehicles, complete overkill on flesh.
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ME LIKES VAPOR TRAILS! YUMMY YUMMY!
 
theexpress

theexpress

Well-Known Member
see4 said:
yea, but it's a bushmaster.

that's like saying, I didn't know they made Kia, for half the price of a Ford Escort.
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Idc what u say.. I like bushmaster. I think they make fine ars not as EXPENSIVE as a colt or Daniel defense but a reliable rifle still.. anyways it is still a .50 bmg that will shoot every time.. and if I want to sell it I could easily make double around here. Also I like my wasr akm almost as much as my arsenal. Only reason it's almost as much is cuz I paid double for the arsenal.. the wasr is just As reliable... Just as accurate from distances I've shot it from( which I'll admit isn't very far but aks weren't ment for very far..)
 
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NewtoMJ

NewtoMJ

Well-Known Member
desert dude said:
I am not going to snipe at anybody with anything, so this is just an academic curiosity for me. The longest range, successful kills by snipers have all been done with the .50 cal, though. That makes quite a statement.
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Longest kill ever confirmed is .338. What you don't see is the recorded missed shots. Most people I see smoke midss, does that mean they're better than top shelf homegrown?
 
theexpress

theexpress

Well-Known Member
desert dude said:
You're right! I wasn't aware of the .338 record. Despite that, the .50 dominates in long range shooting. Look at the table in the link.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longest_recorded_sniper_kills
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A kill shot is a kill shot. But if I were to know I'd survive somehow.. a 50 bmg is the last thing in the world I'd want to get shot by if I had that choice ;) Even if it was a leg or arm shot.. I'd imagine you would lose that body part and bleed to death still if you didn't have medical attention fast
 
desert dude

desert dude

Well-Known Member
theexpress said:
A kill shot is a kill shot. But if I were to know I'd survive somehow.. a 50 bmg is the last thing in the world I'd want to get shot by if I had that choice ;) Even if it was a leg or arm shot.. I'd imagine you would lose that body part and bleed to death still if you didn't have medical attention fast
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Just to make myself clear, I am not saying the .50 cal is "the best sniper rifle". The problem with .50 cal rifles is they weigh a ton, so it is not practical to carry them. In that respect, I will defer to the .338 or the 7.62, each is a MUCH better rifle in practicality.

But, if you just set it up and don't have to move it, you can't beat a .50 cal, unless you have a 20mm. :-)
 
theexpress

theexpress

Well-Known Member
desert dude said:
Just to make myself clear, I am not saying the .50 cal is "the best sniper rifle". The problem with .50 cal rifles is they weigh a ton, so it is not practical to carry them. In that respect, I will defer to the .338 or the 7.62, each is a MUCH better rifle in practicality.

But, if you just set it up and don't have to move it, you can't beat a .50 cal, unless you have a 20mm. :-)
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The 7.62x54 is also a sick long range rd Morse so in a dragonov then a mosin naggant .. I have a mosin though and I love it. Best 150$ I spent. Yes I know you can get them for cheaper ;)
 
see4

see4

Well-Known Member
desert dude said:
You're right! I wasn't aware of the .338 record. Despite that, the .50 dominates in long range shooting. Look at the table in the link.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longest_recorded_sniper_kills
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It just doesn't. I get wikipedia has a longest recorded sniper kill at a 50 BMG. But I can also show you 2 teens randomly driving through New Hampshire stopping in a gas station and picking the winning power ball numbers and receiving 200+ million.

338 and 308 is where its at. 50 BMG is overkill and not as accurate.
 
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