Just wondering

[AmateurHunter44857]

Hey guys this isn't a serious question but what would the M-82A1/A2 .50 sniper rifle do to a moose or elk? I've always wondered this and after watching a show on U.S. sniper rifles i figured i would ask lol Like i said don't tear into me for being unethical or anything, god knows i can't afford the $7,300 price tag on these things, i can barely afford to buy a shotgun.Just wondering what it would do thats all.

For those of you who haven't seen this weapon i've attached a picture of the gun.

[NoKnees]

A number of years agoI saw a pretty small Georgia whitetailthat wa**** with a round from a M2. It was a doe and a WAG is maybe 80-90 pounds. The round went through behind the shoulder but pretty high. We didn't autopsy the deer (some other guys took it back to their houseing area and butchered it) but I would say the round didn't hit the spine or any other major bones. I don't know if the deer was DRT or ran a bit as I wasn't looking when the shot was fired. The wound looked pretty similiar to what a 12ga slug would do.

[ShatoDavis]

Lets think this through.

Whats cal. is this weapon? 50 cal. nothing magical. Large? yes.
but none the less the same diameter as my muzzle loader. there is a tremendous amount of powder pushing that slug though. They are impressive to shoot, no doubt. I think that if you could pack it to the woods and get it set up before your quarry high tailed out of dodge, then it would certainly do the job.

[AkhunterTeen]

id love to have one of those for moose hunting, it would greatly increase my effective range
id just hate to see one of those rounds in a barnes copper hollow point... it would be an explosion hitting anything solid at that speed

[chiefks]

Just because a rifle is capable of long range shots doesn't mean that you are capable of makeing the shot... So it does not neceasirly increase your effective range.

[Pighunter56]

contrary to popular belief, the .50 BMG, will not "blow away" game, its just like any other projectile, its just big.

[ipscshooter]

ORIGINAL: AkhunterTeen

id just hate to see one of those rounds in a barnes copper hollow point... it would be an explosion hitting anything solid at that speed

At what speed? It's a BIG bullet, but, it's not being pushed any faster than a 150 gr. .308. I've never seen anything but FMJ's for the .50BMG. So, I assume it will make a half inch hole going in, and a half inch hole coming out, unless it hits bone, in which case the bone fragments might increase the size of the exit.

Also, that Barrett weighs about 28 lbs.,not exactly something you'll want to tote through the mountains in pursuit of elk... The .50 BMG certainly has enough punch for a clean kill, so long as you're not trying to shoot at a range beyond your capabilities. So, it's not "unethical," just silly.