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Posted: 3/1/2008 8:57:43 AM EDT
| I'm going to be getting a .50 soon and am trying to chose between the Barrett M99 and the Armalite AR-50. I'm not planning on shooting matches but would like as much accuracy as I can get from a factory rifle. Which of the two are the most accurate out of the box? |
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KD185...not knocking your opinion at all. A good argument can be made for the AR-50. But I think application is key to the choice between the two. I believe both are fine rifles. The Barrett M99 is a little more versatile for field shooting because of its shorter overall length and available 32" barrel that allows you to use bullets up to 800 grains and a wider selection of powders including US869 and VV20N29. It's also a lighter rifle so easier to carry around. On the down side, you'll have to send it back to Barrett for a barrel change since the attachment is proprietary. A typical shooter won't have to worry about this as you'll shoot $20,000 worth of ammo before you need to rebarrel (say 4000 rounds at $5 each). The AR-50 gets the nod for price, benchrest use, and maybe a slight one for accuracy, mostly due to the heavier weight and ease of changing to a match-grade trigger. The AR-50 also has a threaded in barrel which fairly easy to change. Even with its slightly shorter barrel, the AR-50 is a bit heavier and somewhat longer than a Barrett M99. For field use, I believe the M99 is king. I also believe M99s hold their value a little better. If you plan to do any match shooting other than Hunter class (prone off a bipod) the AR-50 is generally superior. It's just a lot easier to setup for a rest and match trigger. I believe both of these to be fine rifles that are perfectly capable of shooting sub MOA out to 1000 yards with an experienced shooter and good handloads. Shoot sub 10.4" 5-shot groups at 1000 yards with regularity at at just about any FCSA match and you can plan to take home a fair number of trophies. The real question here is do you have the extra scratch for the M99, do you need a more fieldable rifle, and are you likely to shoot in benchrest competition. I'm starting my third year of match shooting and thus far i've only shot off a bipod. I'm not into spending $1000 on a rest that could be spent elsewhere. So really, it's just a personal decision only you can make... Also, consider joining the Fifty Caliber Shooters Association, www.fcsa.org, especially BEFORE you get a rifle. About the best $40 you can ever spend related to your 50. FCSA leads legislative efforts to protect the 50 BMG from Federal and State legislative attack. Membership also grants access to the members forum which is highly useful in educating yourself about 50's and you'll get 4 full-color magazines a year. Just a suggestion. -David Edgewood, NM |
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Thanks guys. I'm not planning on any benchrest competition so capability there is unimportant. However, accuracy is a must simply for my own criteria. It sounds like either would be OK in that dept. I'm not too worried about the price differences between the two - If the Barrett is a bit better I'll go that route. I just want what I'll be happy with for a long time. I already have brass and primers on the way so this thing is going to happen eventually. I just don't want to blindly rush into a rifle. |
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Woodsy: There are also a lot of other options out there. Go the "VENDOR" page on the public side of FCSA.org site for a list of several. I'll give you a few of the real solid companies (other than Armalite & Barrett). www.statearms.com www.ferret50.com Accuracy Long-Range Systems www.edmarms.com www.bluegrassarmory.com Before I bought a 50, I joined FCSA and educated myself. I've got a State Arms shorty right now and have an ALS upper coming in May. -David Edgewood, NM |
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