Super Sniper And The .50 BMG?

I do not have a .50, but I do have a S.S.! I certain that all models of the S.S. have etched glass 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5pVya7eask&feature=channel_page

This is the problem with scoping these rifles with big buck scopes. It isn't money, it is the fact .50 BMG's tear up scopes. The reason isn't what you might think. It isn't recoil, but rather the lack of it from the way the excellent muzzle brakes work. On most every heavy recoiling hunting rifle, say a .458 Win. Mag., the recoil goes one way. Straight back into your shoulder until all of it is absorbed by the shooter.

On a .50 BMG it becomes a two stage process. That is what ruins scopes. This phenomenon is much like what air rifles do to scopes. You can put a $1,200.00 Leupold on a $50.00 Crossman from Wal-Mart and achieve much the same result. Upon firing the scope and rifle starts back. When the bullet uncovers the muzzle brake ports it begins to pull the rifle forward, much like the clamshell thrust reverser on a jet engine does after the plane touches down. Then the rifle pulls forward. You as the shooter don't feel this. You simply feel the much softer "push" it all makes happen. But the scope "feels" everything. First rear thrust, then forward. A bit like hitting a brick wall in your truck....... then getting rear ended. Your neck is like a wet noodle. Your scope reacts much the same way.

Check out this high speed, slo-mo video. Watch the scope base, scope and rifle. It is unbelievable how much the whole thing flexes! This is a $15,000.00 Accuracy International semi auto. No matter, Sir Issac Newton doesn't care how much you paid for your rifle, scope, and mounts!

BTW, very cool .50! Which one of the S.S.'s are you planning on mounting? While I haven't tried it I would suggest the 10x H.D. Not only is the glass a big improvement over the originals, but according to SWFA, the internals are beefed up even more than than the originals!! Plus it it has 0.1 milrad adjustments. (And if you get one I just live up the road a bit and maybe I can come check it out!)

I know the SWFA guys are running SS's on .50's 'cause when I was there not long ago, I saw them walking out the door to go shooting with a .50 with a 3-9X42 SS mounted on top.  I don't know for certain, but I don't think they've had any problems with SS scopes on a .50.  You might send a PM to Chris Farris, Brady, or Chris Farris II and I'm sure they can give you some good feedback on this.  SS's are advertised as being suitable for .50's, and they have an excellent reputation for being rock solid, so I wouldn't have any reservation about mounting one on a .50.

I'm definitely going to be mounting some type of S.S. on my Bushmaster .50 BMG. The only question remains is which one. I thought about putting a Bushnell 3200 Elite Tactical 5-15X on it, but I'm a little leery because it has a wire crosshair, and is not glass etched like the S.S. I have these Bushnell Tacticals on 3, Savage's and I've had excellent results with them. With that said a .308's and a .300 Win. Mag. are one thing, a .50 BMG is quite another. These are the Savage's:

Anzio Iron Works...

Edited by Kickboxer - September/19/2009 at 14:21