Armory Sponsor
Posted: 2/13/2011 12:01:00 PM EDT
|
I've been looking at their 50 cal upper.
Considering one. Please list pros an cons you know of. Thanks |
|
I live in Kaliforneeya and apparently because everybody was shooting down 747’s for kicks – the legislature decided to ban .50 BMG rifles in 2005. For me – this means that my only option was to buy a .50 BMG upper and pin it onto my AR-15 lower when I go shooting in Nevada. There’s NO place in my area that has a range to accommodate a .50 BMG anyways, so it’s not really a problem. Anyway, my point is that I was confined to purchasing an AR upper if I wanted to enjoy shooting the fifty…
After shopping around, I selected the Tactilite T1 “duty” in 29-inch length. I chose this upper because I was able to upgrade the barrel from a Mexican-made Mossberg to a German-made Lothar/Walther as I intend to reload as well as fire decent quality surplus ammo. I also wanted free float full-length quad rails as I intend to use a LaRue scope mount and some sort of QD-bipod since the rifle must be disassembled prior to my re-entry to the PRK. I’d have somewhat preferred to go with a slightly longer barrel, but this is a rifle and not a crew-served gun, so 29 inches seemed to be about the best compromise for length without being so long as to be completely out-of-balance. The Tactilite uppers are built to order, so there is a bit of a wait. I was quoted ~8 weeks and it took 9 or 10 weeks, so I was satisfied with that. I still need a bipod, scope and mount – so I have not fired mine yet although I did add a set of Troy BUIS (another reason I wanted the quad rail). The quality of the machining, fit, and finish of my upper is perfect. My only complaint is that the replacement hammer will require the sear notch to be re-worked because the trigger pull is probably about 20 lbs (and my trigger-pull gauge only goes to 15) so I don’t really have any clue what the actual trigger pull weight is.. All in all, this is a rather minor issue. One thing I can say is that both times I called Zel Custom, Michael was there and answered the phone promptly and took the time (without rushing me) to answer all my questions. When I chat with people, I generally get a feeling of how the company does business by how they treat me on the phone. After talking with Michael, I developed a general feeling of trust and that he was completely on the level with me, and that went the rest of the way in “sealing the deal” for me. I greatly respect that for small “custom build” shops, time is indeed money – and that is why I’m putting together a quick list of questions that I need to ask so I don’t take any more of Michael’s time than necessary when I call him back. So while my rifle is nearing completion, I have not fired it yet. That said, I would still unhesitatingly recommend a Zel Custom product to anyone whose wants and needs are similar to mine. I’m looking at going with the custom bipod from “Long Range Accuracy” and a Nightforce NXS in a LaRue mount – so I’m still ~about $2500 out from getting it complete. I just recently reached my “loaded” ammunition threshold and am looking at picking up an RCBS press and dies as I have components to load another 1K rounds. If things go as planned, I should be testing handloads by this coming September or so. |
|
My "pros and cons" are more directed at the upper vs rifle issue, not Zel in particular.
I've owned a conversion upper (Bohica) and now a dedicated rifle (AR50). The Bohica upper was absolutely BRUTAL with recoil. I'll never own another lightweight conversion upper. I look forward to shooting my AR50... as it's one of THE nicest shooting .50's made right now. If you can swing it, the AR50 is a bargain compared to the conversion uppers. The Zel looks to be $1900-$2400. Used AR50's are typically $2500. A dealer should be able to sell a brand new AR50A1 for under $3k.(FACT) 
The base rifle cost is not that bad. It's when you start buying bipods and accessories that makes the price go up. 
No offense to Bohica or Zel... but there is NO WAY they will hold a candle to an AR50. If you are set on a upper assy... Go for it... It's STILL a .50bmg no matter how you slice it. 
|
|
A couple weeks late,
But I have an early manufacture Zel..."Ultralite" with a 29" barrel...the rifle is only 17lbs WITH glass! It was a huge improvement from my first upper, a MKI Bohica. Lighter and more manageable, more accurate, less recoil (much better brake design). The extractor has more surface area and the chamber has a much better finish as well. Good to go for an upper...but by the time you buy the lower, a durable stock, and the rest of the trinkets you aren't far from an AR50, State Arms, etc. |
|
Quoted:
Here is a 12 lb upper , it does kick more than my Statearms. How ever a 5 rd. mag is fun
The comments from the people are funny, but be warned there is swearing. Also keep an eye on the people in the back ground
VIDEO This is upper Upper Saw the vid of you torching off the big X frame .500 SW (or 460 - cant tell ) ––- you're a fan of recoil aren't you
|
|
Quoted:
My "pros and cons" are more directed at the upper vs rifle issue, not Zel in particular. I've owned a conversion upper (Bohica) and now a dedicated rifle (AR50). The Bohica upper was absolutely BRUTAL with recoil. I'll never own another lightweight conversion upper. I look forward to shooting my AR50... as it's one of THE nicest shooting .50's made right now If you can swing it, the AR50 is a bargain compared to the conversion uppers. The Zel looks to be $1900-$2400. Used AR50's are typically $2500. A dealer should be able to sell a brand new AR50A1 for under $3k.(FACT)
The base rifle cost is not that bad. It's when you start buying bipods and accessories that makes the price go up.
No offense to Bohica or Zel... but there is NO WAY they will hold a candle to an AR50. If you are set on a upper assy... Go for it... It's STILL a .50bmg no matter how you slice it. You must have had a very early model Bohica. Chris has taken great care of me and I really enjoy my 30" Bohica with a Nightforce NXS 8-32X56 scope and a Bohica single shot lowerl I often set down and shoot a dozen rounds at a time. It's painless and while it moves me it does not kick as hard as my 12 gage. |
|
Here you go. This is someone's .416 upper. But you get the idea.
.416 Zel T1 upper |
|
In regards to Bohica, I have a MKII and that muzzle brake sucked, so I can imagine the MKI must've been a real bruiser. The MKIII brake is really effective and makes it a pleasure to shoot.
The idea of a lighter, controllable, and still accurate upper is a tempting one. |
|
I owned a 30" Bohica MK-1...and it WAS brutal.
Fully power loads gave you whiplash in short order. Usually 12-15rnds was all I could shoot in a trip, before the headaches and neck pain started. I swapped to a newer brake (MKIII era), and it took the edge right off, but still not an extremely effective brake. My ZEL MFG Tactilite (early model, before 1pc receiver), fully dressed, weighs a smidge over 17lbs as mentioned earlier. My MK-1 Bohica weighed 28lbs fully dressed. Even with the huge difference in weight, the tactilite was still more pleasant to shoot. 50rnds in a day...that's pretty much my minimum anymore. Anything less and I don't bother dragging them out. |
|
Another video. This time from Brownells. Should answer most questions on quality of construction.
Brownells video for Zel Custom upper |
| I had one of the early UL 50's which is almost the same as the new Zel Custom and recoil was not bad. No worse than a 12 gauge with 2.75 inch shells. This was very lightweight with a 24 inch fluted barrel. Accuracy was respectable as well. I now have an ALS50 upper on a Rogue 50 billet lower with 33 inch very heavy barrel. The recoil is not that much different, but this ALS gun will shoot Sub MOA all day long with American Eagle and HSM ammo. Very nice, but hard to carry around. |
| The UL50 and the current generation of Tactilite rifles are not even close to being the same. The company has a different owner from when the UL50's were made and although the basic concept for converting an AR15 lower is the same, the excecution has been completely modernized. The original rifles were esentially just welded pipes. The T1 and T2 a machined from solid steel. The fact that well established companies like Brownells and Accuracy International are willing to endorse and do business with Zel Custom should speak volumes. |
Armory Sponsor