You can get a 50 BMG for around $2,000 for a bolt action. Like any other rifle, you can get all the extras for more $$$. Some cost over $10,000. Type "50 BMG" in your search engine and you'll pull up many dealer websites. I think one round would cost around $5. It's an interesting subject, but my wallet (and gun range) isn't big enough for that hobbie! One of my in-laws shoots a 50 cal and he talks about 6" groups at 1,000 yards! I've even heard of people shooting prarie dogs with them at over 600 yards. The round is enormous but the guns generally have muzzlebreaks on them that reduce the recoil to that of a 12 guage shotgun or a magnum caliber rifle. The weight of the gun also helps eliminate recoil. The one my in-law shoots weighs around 34 pounds. Some of them weigh over 100 pounds. Get good grades in his class and talk him into letting you try that gun out.