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Discussion: Large Cartridges: Too much?
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Acanthus117 |
Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 5:51 AM EST
My uncle has this converted AR-15, those ones that can, and I myself doubt this, .50 BMG bullets, albeit in a semiautomatic fashion.After watching him completely decimate the empty beer cans and murder innocent wood targets, I had a thought. If you were up against a horde of shambling brain-suckers, would you find a gun that fires large bullets, like the ones that hunters use for big game, good to hit several targets, or would you find them useless? P.S. In this hypothetical situation, we are talking about slow zombies, ala DotD. Do you find this valuable? |
SasquatchJim |
1. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 8:55 AM EST
What do you mean "converted-AR-15 that fires .50 BMG"?I've seen some that fire .50 Beowulf, and some single-shot conversions to .50 BMG, bu never a semi-auto. It would have to be almost completely rebuilt. Also, what exactly do you consider a "large bullet?" For me, it's anything over the .30 caliber magnums. I believe that they have their uses (taking out raiders and, yes, big game) but .50 BMG doesn't seem like a good choice to me. Basically, any .50 caliber rifle is going to be quite heavy (the lightest I've seen is a single-shot AR-15 conversion.) Still, most of them are over 20 lbs. And, of course, there is the noise and the muzzle blast. From what I've read, the recoil isn't as bad as one might think, but it is still formidable. For problems where you need a larger caliber, I believe a 12 ga. slug to be your best best; if you can solve a problem with a 7 lb. Mossberg, why use a 30 lb. Barrett? However, if you truly need a magnum for whatever reason, I can see maybe a .375 H&H. My grandfather has one that I've shot a bit, and there is nearly nothing on Earth (animal, raider, zombie, whatever) that I wouldn't fell comfortable taking with it. Do you find this valuable? |
possumblaster |
2. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 10:07 AM EST
| Post edited: Feb 5 2010, 10:10 AM EST
"What do you mean "converted-AR-15 that fires .50 BMG"?I agree, IF it were possible it wouldn't even be an AR15 anymore. New upper receiver, lower receiver, bolt/carrier, barrel, gas system... So what would be left? It's probably the .50 Beowulf like you stated, OR that bolt action .50BMG that Bushmaster makes. http://www.bushmaster.com/catalog_military_BCW3M_30-50BMGLW.asp But, that thing is definitely not an AR15. Either way, .50 BMG is for taking out vehicles, not personnel. For taking out zombies it would be a complete waste of firepower. Do you know how much gunpowder it takes to load a .50 BMG round? Total waste in a survival situation. I could load exactly 10 .223 (24.8gr) rounds for the cost of 1 charge of powder for the .50 BMG (248gr). All it would be useful for is disabling a truck full of raiders before they make it to your position. They are cool and fun to shoot though. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
zachy_vengeance |
3. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 3:00 PM EST
I'd never carry something with that high of a calliber. Like already stated, it's way to heavy, and is way to much firepower. Also it'd cost alot to stock-pile on .50 calliber ammo. Isn't a .50 calliber rifle round like some crazy $3-4 dollars a bullet?
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Conmiro |
4. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 4:59 PM EST
"I'd never carry something with that high of a calliber. Like already stated, it's way to heavy, and is way to much firepower. Also it'd cost alot to stock-pile on .50 calliber ammo. Isn't a .50 calliber rifle round like some crazy $3-4 dollars a bullet?"$7.50 per shell here. If I FOUND one, meaning stumbled upon it, I'd take it. I wouldn't set out as mission for it. THe 50 BMG is too much against zombies, but what about cars? Do you find this valuable? |
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SasquatchJim |
5. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 7:51 PM EST
"$7.50 per shell here.I still don't see why you'd need a 50 cal to go through cars. I've seen 30-06 rounds go clean through your average car on TV. Of course, people will probably be modifying and armoring cars post Z-day, so that may prove troublesome. Do you find this valuable? |
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Conmiro |
6. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 7:55 PM EST
"I still don't see why you'd need a 50 cal to go through cars. I've seen 30-06 rounds go clean through your average car on TV.What if someone steals an APC? Do you find this valuable? |
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SasquatchJim |
7. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 8:00 PM EST
"What if someone steals an APC?"Then I'm not going to f*** with him. :) No, seriously, you're right. On the off chance I can find a 50, it would be good for that. Do you find this valuable? |
JezuzKrist |
8. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 8:00 PM EST
"I still don't see why you'd need a 50 cal to go through cars. I've seen 30-06 rounds go clean through your average car on TV.I say cars are dealt with by IED's, trenches, rocks, poles, and whatever other obstacle you can come up with. Do you find this valuable? |
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SasquatchJim |
9. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 8:03 PM EST
"I say cars are dealt with by IED's, trenches, rocks, poles, and whatever other obstacle you can come up with."Okay, there's only one problem: 90% of people can't make an IED. Also, the driver could probably see trenches (unless you cover them somehow.) I was thinking nail strips. Not so good for tracked vehicles, but better than nothing. Do you find this valuable? |
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JezuzKrist |
10. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 8:11 PM EST
"Okay, there's only one problem: 90% of people can't make an IED.Okay that sounds like a problem for 90% of people then. But how many of those people are going to be firing .50's anyway? And yes all traps need to be hidden in some way shape or form. I also don't know about how effective nail strips will be, beadlocks and tires that are run on low psi aren't that uncommon. I run 5 psi in the tires on my jeep Do you find this valuable? |
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SasquatchJim |
11. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 8:24 PM EST
"Okay that sounds like a problem for 90% of people then. But how many of those people are going to be firing .50's anyway?The hitch: I'm one of those 90% of people. You're right: 50s will be rare. Like I said, if I see someone with an APC, I'm staying out of the way. Huh, I didn't know that about the tires. Um...any other ideas, then? Do you find this valuable? |
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St1Emtff |
12. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 8:47 PM EST
What about sticky bombs? Haha sorry I just watched Saving Private Ryan, and I had to throw that in there. Actually it's not very hard to make IED's and other things.There used to be a book you could find called The Black Book of Improvised Munitions. And it told you how to make all kinds of different things including gunpowder and a shape charge out of a wine bottle. Cool lil book to have after Z-Day. Do you find this valuable? |
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Conmiro |
13. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 8:54 PM EST
"The hitch: I'm one of those 90% of people.I meant, as if someone had an APC or modified vehicle that couldn't be penetrated by normal shells. Do you find this valuable? |
John_234 |
14. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 9:05 PM EST
Well, most modern APCs are designed for the big fifty to be their standard of protection, which is why the .50 BMG went from anti-tank, to "anti-material."Well, I'd generally prefer big, sturdy bullets, as long as they don't affect how well I can shoot. It's the whole .45 vs 9mm argument; I pick whichever I shoot best, but big is helpful. If I found a .50 rifle, it'd be similar to if I found a box of grenades: sure, I might not take it as my primary, but would I give it up? 0 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
Freelancer47 |
15. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 9:49 PM EST
| Post edited: Feb 5 2010, 9:50 PM EST
The idea of 'What is best' for the argument of Caliber, IMO, is much like the argument of 'What is best' in terms of firearms.My take: use what you are comfortable with. I have no need to carry a firearm that shoots a larger caliber then what I currently have. 7.62mm X 39mm does everything I need it to do, so does 9mm 7 .45 ACP. If I need anything larger I'm in a fight I'm not supposed to be in for the Zed Poc... Or I'll just find MajorDamage. Do you find this valuable? |
StrykerPez |
16. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 10:04 PM EST
"The hitch: I'm one of those 90% of people."Go find a copy of the TM 31-210 Improvised Munition Handbook I've read it. Very useful. Its an Army handbook that teaches you how to build IEDs and other weaponry out of scrap. Do you find this valuable? |
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zachy_vengeance |
17. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 5 2010, 11:21 PM EST
"What about sticky bombs? Haha sorry I just watched Saving Private Ryan, and I had to throw that in there. Actually it's not very hard to make IED's and other things."Sticky bombs would work, unless they stuck to your hand. I'd be a little iffy on using those. lol Awesome movie by the way. 0 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
AlexHigginbotham |
18. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 6 2010, 7:31 AM EST
What your refering to isnt .50 BMG. Its .500 S&W or whatever round beuwolf designed. A reciever big enough to cycle .50 BMG is gonna be BIG, WAY TO BIG for an assault rifle.
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Themiddleodnowhere |
19. RE: Large Cartridges: Too much?
Feb 6 2010, 12:36 PM EST
"What your refering to isnt .50 BMG. Its .500 S&W or whatever round beuwolf designed. A reciever big enough to cycle .50 BMG is gonna be BIG, WAY TO BIG for an assault rifle."indeed, but assuming zombies shamble toward you in a linear path, you could *theoreticly* take out more than one with a .50BMG, i mean that thing can shred 5/8 plate like butter, heads are a little more squishy. i personally would love to find a barrett, but the first thing i would do is strip it down so it weighs a little less than a rack of dumbells, haha i have a friend who is a draftsman, we are currently working on designing a belt fed .22LR minigun, powered by a miter saw motor, and an ATV battery, since .22LR are EVERYWHERE, and with that amount of bullets, we could easily hold a fort against zeds, even tho .22 would be usless against cars, people would certenly be shredded by the small round. we are also working on making it carriable, as in small barrel, about 6 10" barrels around an aluminum case for it, the heaviest component would be the battery and the motor, but we estimate it would weigh under 20 LB, so thats not to bad, and it could have a bi pod so you could set it down and lay waste to what ever is infront of you Do you find this valuable? |
