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50 Caliber Sniper Rifles

The 50 caliber sniper rifle is the largest caliber rifle available to American citizens. Rifles of a caliber larger than .50 are restricted by law.

Other than this artificial distinction created by ignorant beauracrats, the .50 caliber sniper rifle is no different than a sniper rifle in any other caliber.

The .50 BMG is known internationally as 12.7x99mm. Outside of the United States, 12.7x108mm, 14.5x114mm Russian, 15.2mm Steyr, 20×83.5mm MG151, and 20x110mm Hispano sniper rifles are utilized.

.50 BMG is the smallest caliber used in big-bore sniper rifles.

50 Caliber Sniper Rifles

The most popular 50 caliber sniper rifles are manufactured by Barrett Rifles.

Barrett M82A1

The Barrett M82A1 is a semi-automatic rifle with a standard 10-round magazine.

 

Barrett M82A1 Specifications
Barrel Length 29 Inches (73.67 cm)
Rifling Twist 1 turn in 15 inches (38.1 cm)
Rifle Weight 33.8 pounds (12.9 kg)
Overall Length 57 inches (144.78 cm)

Barrett M95

The Barrett 95M is a bolt-action 50 caliber sniper rifle with a 5 round detachable magazine.

The 95M is an innovative bullpup design which is over ten pounds lighter than the M82A1 and over a foot shorter.

Barrett 95M Specifications
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)

Barrett M107

The Barrett M82A1 was adopted in a modified form by the U.S. Armed Forces and renamed the M107.

Barrett M107 Specifications
Barrel Length 29 Inches (73.67 cm)
Rifling Twist 1 turn in 15 inches (38.1 cm)
Rifle Weight 34.6 pounds (15.7 kg)
Overall Length 57 inches (144.78 cm)

ArmaLite AR-50

The ArmaLite AR-50 is a single shot bolt action rifle with a unique octagonal receiver bedded into an aluminum stock. The AR-50 is equipped with a modified M16 type vertical pistol grip and a removable buttstock.

The AR-50 is available in a left-hand version to accomodate Southpaw snipers.

ArmaLite AR-50 Specifications
Receiver form Modified octagonal form, drilled and slotted for scope rail
Bolt Triple front locking lug
Extractor Sako type
Ejector Spring loaded plunger, automatic ejection
Trigger Schillen standard single stage
Barrel 31″ tapered, 8 groove rh 1:15 inch twist
Muzzle device Cylindrical multiflute recoil check
Stock 3 section: extruded forend, machined grip with vertical grip, forged and machined removable buttstock
Buttplate Vertically adjustable, specially built for heavy calibers
Finish Manganese phosphated steel, hard anodized aluminum
Overall length 59.5″
Weight 34 pounds

Ultimate Accuracy Arms 5100

The Ultimate Accuracy Arms 5100 is a single-short bolt-action rifle. The UAA 5100 is built in Lonoke, Arkansas.

The Ultimate Accuracy Arms 5100 part of a family of 50 caliber sniper rifles which have been manufactured and sold by Research Armaments Prototypes (RAP), Daisy Weapons Systems, Iver Johnson Arms, Redrick Arms Development, and Ramo Defense.

UAA 5100 Specifications
Barrel length 36″ including 7″ muzzle brake
Twist 1 in 15″
Trigger Pull Crisp 3 lbs to 8 lbs
Weight 34 lbs
Length of Pull 13.75″ to 15.5″
Drop at Heel 1.25″
Comb Fully adjustable to +1.5″

Accuracy International AS50

The Accuracy International AS50 is a semi-automatic rifle with a detachable 5 round magazine. The Accuracy International AS50 is built in Great Britain.

Truvelo .50 Sniper Rifle Specifications
Barrel Length 27.25″ (69.2 cm)
Rifle Weight 31 pounds (14.1 kg)
Overall Length 53.9″ (136.9 cm)
Twist 1 in 15″

Truvelo SR .50 Sniper Rifle

The Truvelo SR .50 Sniper Rifle is a bolt-action rifle with a detachable 5 round magazine. The Truvelo SR .50 Sniper Rifle is built in South Africa.

Truvelo SR Specifications
Overall length 170 cm
Barrel lenght 100 cm (excluding muzzle brake)
Weight 16 kg
Accuracy 1 M.O.A. at 500 m (ammunition dependent)
Range 1,200 m
Temperature range -40C to 70C
Magazine capacity 5 rounds
Muzzle brake Standard, recoil reduction 50%
Stock Aluminium with fully adjustable cheek piece and shoulder pad

Steyr HS 50

The Steyr HS 50 is a single-shot bolt-action 50 caliber spiner rifle. The HS 50 is built in Austria.

Steyr HS50 Specifications
Barrel Length 833 mm / 33″ with high-effeciency muzzle brake
Weight 12.4 / 28.5 lbs. approx.
Overall Length 1370 mm / 54″
Trigger Single trigger, 2 stage, factory set, 4.00 lbs.
Safety Trigger safety
Scope mounts Mil. Std. 1913 rail
Stock Plain, buttplate with rugged bipod.

Zavasta Arms M-93 Black Arrow

The M-93 Black Arrow 50 caliber sniper rifle is a single-shot Mauser-design bolt-action rifle. The M-93 is built in Yugoslavia.

M93 Black Arrow Specifications
Weight (kg) 14.5 kg
Overall Length 151 cm
Barrel Length 840
Locking system Mauser
Magazine capacity 5
Muzzle velocity 888 m/s
Maximum effective range 1600 m

Books on 50 Caliber Sniper Rifles

Complete .50-Caliber Sniper Course: Hard-Target Interdiction
Complete .50-Caliber Sniper Course: Hard-Target Interdiction

Nowhere are the big guns covered in more detail. Before Sgt. First Class Dean Michaelis (Ret.) wrote the book on sniping, he wrote a first-of-its-kind program of instruction for the Special Operations Target Interdiction Course. A member of the 1st Special Forces Group, he taught students everything they needed to know to succeed and survive. Now he brings that information to you, covering every aspect of the sniper’s art: the history, equipment, skills and missions. He also includes reproducible forms, a military-issue .50-caliber cartridge tip color guide and his exclusive Program of Instruction for Special Operations Hard-Target Interdiction Course. An invaluable resource for military and civilian shooters alike.

.50-Caliber Rifle Construction Manual : With Easy-to-Follow Full-Scale Drawings
.50-Caliber Rifle Construction Manual : With Easy-to-Follow Full-Scale Drawings

This is the book that do-it-yourselfers anxious to try building their own .50-caliber rifles have been demanding since the best-selling Home Workshop .50-Caliber Sniper Rifle videotape first came out. In this companion book, Bill Holmes uses easy-to-follow foldout drawings and precise dimensions to take you step-by-step through the process of designing and constructing your very own .50-caliber rifle easily and inexpensively. Find out this master gun maker’s professional secrets to fashioning the receiver, barrel and accessories, bolt, trigger assembly, buttstock, scope mount, bipod and muzzle brake using commonly acquired materials. Once you have made all the component parts, Bill then instructs you in the right way to assemble and test-fire your new home workshop firearm. With Bill Holmes as your guide, construction is a snap. Warning: It is your responsibility to make sure that you have complied with all local, state and federal laws with regard to the manufacture of any firearm.