RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

On the other hand most states allow big game hunting with a .22 centerfire which most knowledgeable hunters deem inadequate. I can't advocate extreme distance shooting with any cartridge, but I don't think the .50BMG should be restricted. I am sure one could develop an acceptable load for taking game within reasonable distances with minimal meat damage.

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

Why would anyone want to tote a 35 lb sniper rifle into the field to shoot game at "reasonable" distances? The sole purpose for this type of rifle is extreme long range shooting, not taking game at reasonable distances.

I would agree that the .22 centerfires are not suitable for any type of big game hunting.

Edited by - RuRu12 on 01/07/2002 11:33:09

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

Why does anyone want to shoot at game with a bow, or a muzzleloader? Why bother with slugs from a shotgun? Diversity. If I want to carry a 35lb sniper rifle hunting, then I should be able to do so, just like if I desire to shoot a deer with a 700 Nitro I should be free to do so. If I want to shoot gophers with a 300 Win Mag then I should be free to do so. Are you starting to get the picture now? It's a matter of personal preference.

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

I agree Friz...As long as no laws are broken then a person has a right to do whatever they want! Thank god for personal freedom.

All I was doing earlier was disagreeing with other's personal preference. Those "discussions" are what makes this board so fun! Some take things too seriously in here.

Somehow we've gone from 50 ballistics to the Bill of Rights. LOL
Let's all smile, have a beer [] [] [], and let this topic die like a lead baloon. LOL

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

friz - Most people that hunt deer with slugs from a shotgun are mandated to do so for safety reasons. Humn. . . A restriction placed on firearms based on their suitability for field use. How Un-American! I think all the people in Ohio should be allowed to use whatever high-powered rifle they choose. Damn the consequences!! After all this is America.

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

You're damn right it's America. Who define suitability? You? The government? I am not advocating the use of highpowered rifles in highly populated areas. Been to Montana or west Texas lately?

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

friz - I hunt western Wyoming every year, and even though it is big country I would really hate the idea of some yahoo sitting 1000 yards away from me taking pot shots at the bull or buck I'm stalking. Shooting like this isn't hunting, it isn't ethical, and it shouldn't be legal. A friend of mine had to finish a bull last year that some idiot had wounded while shooting his .300 UM off the top of his motorhome. He was 800 yards away from the bull. When my friend confronted him – with the bull in the back of his pickup – all the guy could say was “I don’t usually have any trouble killing em that far”. In my opinion these are the types of individuals that would hunt with a .50 BMG. They would either have to be lazy slobs or harboring some type of sniper fantasies.

And yes the government and its game agencies do define suitability of weapons used for the taking of game. They do it in every season in every state.

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

You are missing what I am saying. I said reasonable range. To me that is max 500 yards. We should be able to regulate ourselves and keep the damn government out of it. Next thing you know we will all have to hunt with shotgun slugs. I realize there are idiots out there, but you are trying to throw everyone in the same barrel.

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

I got into this same fight on the accurate reloading forums and that is pretty much the reason I quit going there. One guy there had a site, I'll try to find it, with a guy who shot elk and antelope at ranges of like 1000 yards. He would drive around until he found the animal, set up his bench and take the shot. Some of his pictures he was in the road, you could see his pickup in the background. To me, no matter how much skill you have shooting at long range(400 yards +) is stupid. In my life I have taken one shot at a deer around 400 yards and I missed. it was a big, 170 class mulie. I had a good rest and everything was okay, but I just missed. Now being a few years older I wouldn't have even tried it. There is just too much risk. I would have came back the next weekend and got him, instead I spooked him out of the country till the season was over. One fall a buddy of mine got to shot an elk that another doofus had already wounded. He was shooting at the elk from 3 ridges over. The distance had to have been pushing 600 yards. Lucky for us we found the elk and shot him at like 30 yards.

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

friz - I'm not trying to throw everyone into the same barrel. You are missing my point. Very few people would carry a 35lb sniper rifle around to shoot 500 yards. The guys that would hunt with one want to shoot game at extreme range, either because they are too lazy to get closer or because they have some type of militaristic fantasies. There are plenty of rifle/cartridge combinations that are suitable for taking game at 500 yards. Although I would contend that 500 yards is beyond the capabilities of the vast majority of hunters.

The .50 BMG is not suitable as a hunting weapon. It is a great military tool, a great long-range target round, and even a pretty neat toy.

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

And I say it can be a suitable hunting weapon. It all comes down to the hunter doesn't it?

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

You got to wonder what the indians were thinking about seeing the white man shoot thier smoke poles 50 yards at deer. I would say it would be on the lines of "Hey tonto, we need to get one of those". As shooter, we shouldn't let anyone govern what is suitable for what game. I got bowhunter friends that think anyone that hunts with a rifle is lazy, and not really a hunter at all. I try to explain to them, to each his own. Just cause one guy does it, don't mean all should do it.

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

.50 alot of money alot of recoil and is heavy. It is not to big of a gun. A well place shot from a .22 to .50 will put a animal down in it's tracks.

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

This is how i see it, if your a hunter and your gonna kill and deer, elk..whatever it may be and you have the money,shoulder, and shock absorbtion in your brain, why not try to hunt it with a .50 cal... odds are your would kill the same deer anyway, just takes a little more stalking...( i think im inviting some negative comments by this) but if your gonna reachout to 500 yards w/ a 300 win mag or something why not stretch it a little more with a 50 cal...keep in mind this is mainly comming from an archer.

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

Hey RuRu12, I will guarantee my shots at 4 and 500 yards to be as accurate as MOST people are at 100. Are you gonna try to tell me I CANT do it?

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

Quilly, that's what I keep thinking. I just hope that all that take long range shots are ABSOLUTELY sure of a backstop and that nothing is between them and the target. I don't much care how far someone shoots, as long as they're sure they can score. However, no deer is worth flinging lead near somebody else.

GOOD HUNTING

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

Darn it! I said I was done with this topic but I can't help myself! If you can glass a deer/elk at 600+yds you can surly see a hunter in blaze-orange. Here's a rule for the long range hunting do&don't list: If the game is outlined against the sky on a ridge/hill/mountain-top DO NOT SHOOT!<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

here is my back drop I hope it suites everybody.I can normaly see a hunter between me and the deer also.
http://home.earthlink.net/~mjsherry/backdrop.jpg

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

Old 3 Shot- I checked your hunting site,damm was that you shooting from the bottom of the mountain with the 50? She sure goes thru the timber.

Edited by - popumm on 01/09/2002 05:55:31

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

I wasnt going to reply to this topic because i too thought it was getting long winded.I have one question.The 300 weatherby and the 50 bmg have virtually identical bullet drop.What the hell are you people arguing about? Whats behind the target has no bearing on what caliber you are using.

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

popumm
We are not actually using the 50 to shoot across there. Some would really freak out if
I mentioned what we have used in the old days. I am just sticking up for long range hunter. I will grant the notion that it is in away like live target practice (have been told that before) as the deer do not have a fair chance when you are watching that much realestate HOWEVER I was brought up that if you maim, cripple or wound a deer it was your deer and you had better go finish the job or my grandfather would have thrown you of the mountain. I and my hunting partners in no way &quot;harbor sniper fantasies or are lazy slobs&quot; as previously posted after you shoot that's when the fun ends and the work really begins you are not allowed to use motorized vehicles while hunting in PA and if you were a 4 wheeler wouldnt climb the mountain anyhow. Granted Im sure there are people that fling lead until they do hit and wound something and are just plain to lazy to finish the job. I wonder how many people wound game with slugs or arrows to let them run off and die.
I do know of one fellow that uses a 50 cal he has it necked down to a 30 and will not take a shoot under 1000 yrds he (was and still maybe) the national champ in the 1000 yrd shoot check the regulations to enter that. I to think we need to let this die as everybody has there own opinion and I dont see anybody changing there mind on the way I or someone else hunts and what TOYS we do it with

Mike

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

About that marine that blew that guys head off. if you're interested, do a search for &quot;Carlos Hathcock.&quot; It's a fantastic story.

RE: hunting with the big .50?
 

Hunting is supposed to be a sport right? Where is the sport in shooting 1000 yards at game. For me half the excitement is trying to sneak up on them. I dont agree with using this thing for hunting at all, half the reason is because there is a lot of, as others have said before, Bubba's out there that would love to attempt some assinine stunt with such a weapon like this. I am not going to classify everyone in this category, but if you remember your school years it is always one or two that ruin it for everyone. I am currently assigned to the regiment that runs the US Army Sniper School, and I know from personal experience, a trained sniper is quite a bit different than your average bubba with a bright idea.

Edited by - Drew16365 on 01/11/2002 10:45:39